Opening Or Loading External .swf files from a different .swf file

[EvilKnevil]

Ok,

Thanks in advance. I am having a brain fart here...

I want to create a Main .swf movie. In it I want to have a bunch of icons or buttons that when clicked will open specific .swf files.

Is there an easy way to do this?

Also, is there a way to set the size to specific dimensions when they do open?

Please advise.

Thank you for your help guys!

[a_modified_dog]

open the Help Files in Flash (F1) and read up on the MovieClipLoader class.

it describes how to load a movie, and how to detect if the load is complete
before attempting to alter any of the loaded movies properties.

[caroach]

Use the movieClipLoader class:

this.createEmptyMovieClip("container_mc", this.getNextHighestDepth());
var mclListener:Object = new Object();
mclListener.onLoadInit = function(target_mc:MovieClip) {
     target_mc._x = 0;
     target_mc._y = 0;
     target_mc._width = 400;
     target_mc._height = 300;
};
var image_mcl:MovieClipLoader = new MovieClipLoader();
image_mcl.addListener(mclListener);

icon1.onRelease = function():Void {
     image_mcl.loadClip("icon1.swf", container_mc);
}
icon2.onRelease = function():Void {
     image_mcl.loadClip("icon2.swf", container_mc);
} 

The 'onLoadInit' will resize your clip once the clip has completely loaded and has been initialized.

[EvilKnevil]

Ok..thanks..

I am wondering though, will this work ONLY when hosted on a server?

What I am doing is creating a game that can be downloaded and stored on a PC.

I just want people to be able to call up .swf files over the current one or possibly load into a container as you guys have made reference to.

I tried using loadmovie from a specific folder local to my PC and it wouldn't open that .swf?


*I hope you understand what I am saying.

[deepakflash]

if you are running your flash application in local ,then loadMovie will just be fine.

MovieClipLoader is recommended for better control over your swf's

[EvilKnevil]

Ok...when I tried LoadMovie ,locally it wouldn't open the .swf file at all-nothing happened.

I put the LoadMovie codie on each button to open a different .swf file.
Nothing..

I simply need it my console (main flash movie) to open as a .exe (projector) on an individuals computer-then when they click the desired button icon have it now open the new .swf file


Is this possible? Or do I need to place each .swf file in html?

Remember this is all to be done locally..

[EvilKnevil]

Maybe...to make myself clearer.. I mean can I have the main move open in projector (.exe) then when a button is clicked have the external .swf file open outside of the main .swf file? Meaning there would now be the main projector file and the newly open one on screen each in their own projector window?

[deepakflash]

Hmm... in such a case you cant use loadMovie.

try this:
in your main EXE application:

yourbutton.onPress=function(){
getURL("first.swf");
}

so this will open your swf file named "first.swf" in a seperate window, also your EXE file will be there in the background.

[EvilKnevil]

Ok....I did that...problem is it opens the new .swf the full size of the screen?

I am looking to open the second .swf file at its original size or have an option to make it the size I want.

This is definitely the right idea though..just need it smaller...

[deepakflash]

ok then you can do one thing..
create a batch file(myBatch.bat)... and inside the batch file just type the path of your swf file that has to open(example, C:\Documents and Settings\first.swf). Place your batch file, swf and EXE in the same location.
Now, in your EXE file just give this code:

yourbutton.onPress=function(){
getURL("myBatch.bat");
}

[EvilKnevil]

Ok...how do I make a batch file called myBatch.bat?

What program do I use to do this? What will this do? Open another .swf at it's original size in a different window?

[deepakflash]

1) Open notepad
2) Type your swf location in it
3) Save it as myBatch.bat

Thats it

[EvilKnevil]

Thank you,,,I appreciate your patience and your help! Alot!

I will try this and let ya know how I make out!

[EvilKnevil]

I think what the problem will be is that people who download this .exe file to load and play all the external games and .swf files will be saving this in all sorts of locations on their PC? So I don't know if this will work if it needs a specific location for the batch file?

[deepakflash]

If you are too specific that your swf should open in its "original" form externally(and not as a window file) then ONLY the batch file could do the trick.
(As far as to my knowledge)

If you happen to find out a way to get it done without a batch file then please "do" post it in flashkit.


Hey wait a minute, how about zipping all your swf's and your EXE along with this batch file so that people can save it on to their computer together as a bunch?

[EvilKnevil]

ok, I was thinking that! But, what do I put in my Batch file then?
Just the name of the individual .swf files?

Would that be it?

If they are all .zipped togther and extracted to the same spot their should be no issue right?

[deepakflash]

yeah... that should work.

If you need more info on how to use batch files, just check out these two links (Link1 , Link2)

[EvilKnevil]

perfect....I will do that..

Thanks alot! I appreciate your time and expertise!

[EvilKnevil]

Sorry, 1 last thing!

It still don't work.

I created a file in notepad called myBatch.bat

In that file I put

my_file.swf

*then I saved as myBatch.bat

I then used your function code from above.

A box for myBatch flashes on the screen asking me to open etc..
then disappears and nothing happens?

I just need the .swf file to open as the .swf in its original size in its own projector window when called from the .exe


I must be close...??

[MrPTFMoose]

I've come across that problem before. In the batch file write this.

"" "my_file.swf"

This may or may not work, but you should try it.