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The answer seems pretty obvious to me.... do exactly what you said "load each page individually". All you need to do is break up each page up into individual .SWF's, and then load them all externally when needed. Also, you may want to upgrade to at least Flash MX04, or hopefully Flash 8...
Hope that helps,
Sportzguy933
Thanks for your reply Sportszguy
I just had a ccouple of questions.
So i make all the scenes into SWFs. I got that part.
And i put the preloaders infront of each SWF. i got that.
But as far as my buttons, how does it work?
Its now go to and play scene 1 , scene 2, ect.
What script do i put on the buttons to go to an swf?
And is this something ill be able to test while Im working on it or will it have to be up on the internet to see work?
In other words are the commands for the buttons going to be go to and play "this" URL address ?
I know these are stupid questions but i need the answers.
Thanks.
1.) I can NOT commnt enough on how BAD it is to put your preloaders IN THE .SWF YOU ARE TRYING TO LOAD!! Dng it this way is only asking for toruble and more work down the road when yoru back posting questions like: "Why does my preloader start at 60%"...etc
2.) to load an external.swf into you MAIN.swf (by way of button) you can do the following:
1.) you can load it into a _level (think of it as stacking like a pieces of paper on top of another one..and so on...)
2.) you can load into a containerClip. (containerClip is nothing more that a blankClip movieClip)
expanding on #2 here. You can hae a movieClip (with an instance name of course) on the stage that you placed there.. OR..you can create an empty MovieClip on the fly (dynamically)
So lets say in your project..you have your MAIN.swf..ts has your logo, theme/color and your buttons in it. You will LAOS need a target (a movieClip) to load you external.swf's into..
so drag an EMPTY movie Clip to the stage.. and give it an instance name of (for this exmaple we'll use) containerClip.
on your buttons you coudl have the code of:
thats it.. you can re-use this 'containerClip' to load other content in it as well...images, video, .swf's...and it will REPLACE the current content.Code:on(press) {
containerClip.loadMovie("whatever.swf");
}
good luck
fao: whispers
I've been reading your posts over the different topics that you've been replying to and I'm afraid I still don't get it.
I understand the explanation as to why my preloader won't display properly and that I should have my preloader in my main swf that my smaller movies are being loaded into.
What I don't get is the script to use for the preloader to check the unoaded swf. Can you post an example of the script you use?
what does fao mean?
what topics what I replying to that you did NOT understand?
there is alink in my footer called preloader help, that explains the code I use... but if you would like a trimmed up, smaller, simpler example we can do it right here..
in its most basic form.. it would be sometign similar to this:
what you need to test this is the following:Code:onClipEvent (enterFrame) {
tb = Math.round(_root.containerClip.getBytesTotal()/1024);
lb = Math.round(_root.containerClip.getBytesLoaded()/1024);
if (tb>0 && lb>0) {
//if (tb>lb) {
percent = Math.round((lb/tb)*100);
_root.textField_txt.text = percent;
if (lb>=tb) {
_root.textField_txt.text = "LOADED";
}
}
}
a button on _root timeline (instance name: load_btn)
an empty movieClip on the _root timeline (instance name: containerClip)
a dynamic textField on _root timeline (instance name: textField_txt)
code for the button:
now what you have here is a re-usable container..that you can load anything into.... and when you do ..the textField will show a percentage of how much is loadedCode:load_btn.onPress = function() {
_root.containerClip.loadMovie("someImage.jpg"); //same folder as the flashMovie
}
Your shooting way over my head.
Isnt there a simple way to break a site up with preloaders?
Whats the easiest way?
I dont understand alot of what you said about levels and instances.
sorry, but if you dont understand what an instance is, you need to go back and do some reading.....
and that IS the easiest way to preload external content..(and for this example you can ignore _levels)
Before I get into this lengthy explanation. Let me just say THANXS IN ADVANCE to anyone who can pass on some helpful information.
Thanks for the information. Let me just clarify what you've said:
1. Never place a preloader directly on the timeline of a movie being loaded
into your main movie.
2. It's good coding practice to load your swf files into a container clip in
your main movie - if possible, try to avoid using _levels.
3. The preloader code can be attached to the wrapper of your container clip
(the target clip you will load your swf into); thus each time a onClipEvent
(load) is triggered the preloader will be activated.
4. Alternatively, the preloader code can be placed on the timeline of your
movie; for example in 'Scene 1'.
Currently, I'm working on a small project that I haven't had a chance to
test. I was wondering if you could look at the code and tell me if you
think it will fly. Note: I'm using Flash Mx 2004 and Actionscript 2.0.
Hopefully, this approach will accomodate attached sounds, shared
libraries, and multiple swfs that load into levels.
Note the master.swf timeline is ten frames long. On Fr01 I
load 'trigger.swf' (which contains a single shared library item)
into _level5 which initiates the downloading of my
shared library . On the main timeline of the master file there is a static text
box that from FR01 - FR09 reads 'ASSETS DOWNLOADING' - hopefully
the shared library isn't too large and this can serve as a rudimentary preloader for the shared library. Once the library is downloaded, the
code _level0.play() (which is placed on the timeline of trigger.swf)
will move the master timeline to FR10 where the trigger file is flushed
out and the content files are loaded into their respective levels using
the preloader (which is an external swf file that is loaded into _level50) and controlled with the script on the main timeline of the master file.
Note 'content.swf' has numerous sound objects (52) and sound files inside
of movie clips which are strung out along the timeline of content.swf. All
of these sounds are quite short so I didn't think it would be practical to
stream the sounds. Thus I'm loading an swf file into _level5 with 52
attachedSounds which add about to 102kb.
I've read some stuff about classes and shared libraries being loaded into
FR01 before the preloading script; thus causing a hiccup before the
preloader is displayed on the stage. Would this also apply to sound objects
as they are being loaded into _level5.
Anyways, the code is below. If you can think of a more elegant
(simple) solution, please pass it on. Also any information on the pitfalls
of loading shared libraries, classes, and sound objects as attached sounds
is greatly appreciated.
FILE 'master.fla' (_level0)
Code: Actions FR01
stop();
// Initialize the Movie Clip Loader and Listener
var myMCL:MovieClipLoader = new MovieClipLoader();
var myListener:Object = new Object();
myMCL.addListener(myListener);
/*preloader code using listener: by default the MovieClipLoader sends the target_mc being downloaded, total bytes, and the amount of bytes currently loaded */
myListener.onLoadProgress = function(target_mc, loadedBytes, totalBytes) {
_level50._visible = true;
var preloadPercent:Number = Math.round((loadedBytes/totalBytes) * 100);
_level50.preloader.gotoAndStop(preloadPercent);
_level50.preloadInfo1.text = preloadPercent + " % loaded";
_level50.preloadInfo2.text = Math.round(loadedBytes/1000) + " kb
loaded / " + Math.round(totalBytes/1000) + " kilobytes total";
}
myListener.onLoadComplete = function(target_mc) {
_level50._visible = false;
}
// Load external files trigger (1st) and the preloader (2nd)
myMCL.loadClip("trigger.swf", 5);
myMCL.loadClip("preloader.swf", 50);
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Code: Actions FR10
stop();
myMCL.loadClip("main_menu.swf", 20);
myMCL.loadClip("content.swf", 5);
myMCL.loadClip("music.swf", 6);
not sure about loading shared libraries (never done it)....can I ask what your using it for?
anyways... your also using the movieClipLoader, where as the code above it just a 'home-made' version of one...
you can also go here:
http://www.gotoandlearn.com/ and watch the preloading external.swf files video.
Thanks in Advance, Last Radius
I teach ESL in Vietnam and was thinking of creating a site that will help people (kids) learn English. In the example above, the user can navigate the content timeline; for instance, the user is initially presented with the letters 'A a'; the word 'ant'; and an image of an ant. The user can click on a speaker icon and hear the letter 'a' or click on another speaker icon and hear the word 'ant'. Next, the user clicks on an arrow and navigates to 'B b' with the picture of a bear, etc. You can see why I don't want to stream the sounds because they are very small files that are essentially button click sounds. I'm just trying to build a preloader that is seamless and efficiently loads all of my files. I think the approach for the shared library is workable, but I'm not really using a preloader. I've read that if you preload the shared library it will be downloaded twice; once, when you preload it; and again, when you request the first item from the shared library (source: flash mx 2004 Beyond the Basics 'Lynda Weinman'); thus it is best to place a trigger (a single item from the library itself) on the first frame of your movie that initiates the downloading of the library. I think this is how it is going to work: The user opens the movie and the downloading of the shared library is triggered. The viewer is presented with the static text 'Assets Downloading' when the library is completely loaded the master swf is sent to FR10 which flushes out the trigger clip, removes the static text, etc.
One more question: If you have several sound objects (using the attachSound method), will there be a hiccup before your preloader is visible on the stage. For example, the player loads the sound files (104kb) and then the preloader becomes visible on the stage. If so, what is the point of the preloader and what would you recommend as a work around.
Thanks for the help
First of all, you won't know all the answers until you test your movie, but I can tell you that using the attachSound method, means calling on a pre-loaded sound from a library, so there is no point in preloading the sound.
If I were you, I would just load all of the sounds at once, when you first ebter the website.
Good Luck,
Sportzguy933
Thanks for the reply. One Question: How would you preload the sounds all at once before you enter the website.
1. Attach the sounds to the master clip
2. Attach the sounds to an mclip on the timeline of the master clip
3. Create a separate swf file that is loaded into the master clip
Hmmm who knows - like you said I'm going to have to put it up and run some tests. There seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding preloading flash sites; especially when you get into using classes, shared libraries, sound objects, loading movies into levels, etc. Preloaders are an integral part of the flash experience, so you would think these solutions were readily available. It ain't so joe! If I could count the times I've tried to get a simple solution to questions of this nature! Anyways, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.
Thanks
Last Radius
I'm having that hiccup before my preloader shows up as well. I use the attachSound element and the loader bar shows up at around 75%. Is there a better way to use sound?
I know its an over-asked question but noone ever seems to give a real solution. As far as I can tell the only solution is an external preloader, but again noone ever seems to have any Tuts or answers that somewhat of a Flash noob can use. So I'll ask:
Are there any good Tuts out there that address the "Preloader loading too late" question, with real answers? Someone must know how to do it 'cause I see flash with sounds and preloaders all the time. I'm begging you, PLEASE! PLEASE! help this newbie out a bit?" :confused: Thank you.
Still searching for that stupid preloader:
Prodigy_Savan
If you read some of Whispers' earlier posts, he more or less addressed the problem... Your preloader should NOT be in the same movie that is being loaded (externally). As for your problem, Lastradius, you can easily load the entire contents of the movie by simply putting a preloader on the route timeline before the movie starts (make a new scene and put it infront of the movie)... just follow the tutorial on the first post in this thread. If you don't want to do that, you can always load each sound externally, instead of using the atttachSound method, and therefore expecting the sounds to basically load altogether, probably causing this "hiccup" you were talking about, or at least contributes to it... Speaking of that, please explain exactly what it is, or post an example of it (the "hiccup").
Good Luck,
Sportzguy933
wow..this is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.
every got a REAL answer..not only to WHY this happens..but HOW to fix it.
The fix was explained...posted to, linked to..and even EXPLAINED line by line. post #86 explains it in its most BASIC format.
Maybe YOU arent asking REAL questions then...cause the answer is the same. :|
If yoru having trouble..POST a question about the EXAMPLE being used here..so everyone can be on the same page.
A tip for EVERYONE would be to make a NEW (blank) .fla..and do NOTHING but practice a preloader for an image or .swf..once y ou have that down...integrate it into your project.
I'm sorry guys. I didn't mean to ask a question that was already answered. The button code in post #86 threw me off since I just needed a preloader that implemented when a visitor entered the page, without any buttons.
I actually managed to use part of the external preloader sportzguy933 posted in post#1. Again I'm sorry for the confusion, and for sounding pushy. I've been trying to solve this problem for quite some time now.
Savan: A quick fix for preloading attached soundsQuote:
Originally Posted by Prodigy_Savan
1. Open your main movie; for example 'master.fla'
2. Create two scenes: The first scene that holds your basic preloader' and a second
scene that holds your movies content.
3. Import the Sound Files that you want to attach to the library
4. Set the linkage of these files but uncheck the 'Export in First Frame'
5. Press CTRL + F8 to create a new symbol; for example 'sounds_mc'
6. In Symbol Edit Mode create two layers 'actions' and 'mp3s'
7. Select FR01 of the action layer and place a stop(); action
8. In the 'mp3s' layer click on FR100 and add a frame (F5 on your keyboard)
9. In the 'mp3s' layer click on FR02 and add a blank keyframe
0. Select the blank keyframe on FR02 and add your sound to the timeline
Note, Add a layer for every mp3 you are going to use in your file and
place the related file on the layer - that is, place the sound file on the
timeline. Note, these sound files placed on the timeline will never play
because we have placed a stop(); on FR01 of the actions layer. What,
we are doing is manually placing the files on a timeline so flash can
recognize them and in conjunction with step4 above begin downloading
the sound files after the preloader has appeared on stage.
1. Return to the MTL of 'master.fla' and select the 'content' Scene
2. On FR01 drag 'sound_mc' from the library and place offstage
3. Make sure you declare you sound objects after 'sound_mc' has been placed
on the MTL of 'master.fla'; for example:
var sound01:Sound = new Sound(this);
sound01.attachSound("linkageID");
sound01.start(0, 0);
I think it is important to include the this designation, and make sure you declare
attach and call the sound instance after they have been placed on the timeline.
Now, Flash won't load the script before the preloader. The hiccup before the preloader is flash loading the classes, components, sound objects.
Maybe not an elegant solution but it seems to work. Note I've only tested this in the Flash test bed, so let me know how it worked for you.
The reason I wanted to use the attachSound method is because all of my sound files are extremely short (button sounds) and it probably wouldn't make sense to stream them. I understand what you are saying with regards to not placing a preloader on every movie that is loaded into your main movie. In the future, when I am using longer sound files I will simply stream the files and avoid the somewhat less than elegant work around. Any feedback is appreciated.Quote:
Originally Posted by sportzguy933
Thanks Last Radius
Sorry, if I am driving you nuts. I understand the coding. I was just trying to find a solution to the hiccup before the preloader that results from using attached Sounds. Would post #86 resolve this problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by whispers
Thanks Last Radius
Please explain the hiccup a little more ;).... Also, as I said preloading all of the sounds would be better practice if they are that small.... Since you already have it set up, try preloading a seperate library with all of the sounds, and then use attachSound to call them.
~Sportzguy933
Hi There!
I've read every post and the explanations come close to what I need to know, but I am having trouble applying it to my actual movie, so if anyone could say exactly what I'd need to do, that would be a great help!
I have my main movie that is relatively small filed - 88kb. But I also have my background music that is 1MB. I have a preloader, but it only preloads the main movie, so that when the music is supposed to start playing, it doesn't.
I loaded the music into level 1 of my movie, so I take that this is why it is not being preloaded. It has to stay in level 1, so is there any way that my preloader can load both my main movie and my level 1 sound file right at the start? Bascially, I want it to load the main movie and an external swf.
Thank you in advance!
I don't believe this! I thought I'd cracked it (see previous post), but now on the scene in which the soundloop is actually loaded, the preloader movieclip appears and starts playing over and over?!?!?!
see here: http://www.vanitee.co.uk/princess.swf
I used this code for the preloader, it seemed to work even though I didn't really know what I was doing lol.
Code:totalBytes = _level1.getBytesTotal()+this.getBytesTotal();
loadedBytes = _level1.getBytesLoaded()+this.getBytesLoaded();
remainingBytes = totalBytes-loadedBytes;
percentDone = int((loadedBytes/totalBytes)*100);
bar.gotoAndStop(percentDone);
if (_framesloaded == _totalframes) {
gotoAndPlay("Intro", 1);
}
Sorry Uzuria I can't understand why your preloader is continually playing, and have never experienced that problem myself, but I'd do like the look and sound of your web site.
thank you kindly. It's rather getting to me now though. It's quite an endeaver when you've never made anything in flash before haha. Anyone who can get to the bottom of this?
Maybe you're missing a stop(); action somewhere?
Try recoding the preloader (from scratch), and don't use the "+this" part. Instead put the movieclip in level 1 and then try preloading level 1.
Good luck,
Spotzguy933
Whisper and everyone else,
OK. I get the solution of loading in swfs, and not having the preloader on the loaded in swf.
But, I have a question. Sometimes when I make a movie and test it in the bandwidth profiler the first frame is very small (let's say 1kb or less), other times it seems to stick at 64kb, regardless of the objects or code on the first frame.
Now why is that? Example, I create a new movie with a little loading text ("Loading..." with the dots blinking) on frame 1, and then some jpegs on frame 2, and the bandwidth profiler shows less than 1kb on frame 1 and 200kb on frame 2.... thus the preloader on the swf works great. HOWEVER, I take my little "Loading" animation to another file I have, I move all the content to frame 2, and put the "Loading" into frame 1. All that is on frame 1 is that little "Loading" animation and a few lines of AS, but the first frame has 64kb according to the bandwidth profiler, and of course my "Loading" animation does not start until that first 64kb is loaded. I just want to know why that is!
I mean, if every swf had 64kb added to frame 1 for some reason, OK.... but it seems it is only some swfs, and I dont know why.
Thanks for any answers!
Ryan
If you are using soundfiles that are being attached from the library, components, etc. They will be loaded into the movie before your root preloader begins playing hence the hiccup.
i cant provide u guys with .fla right now coz im in school but i'll provide u guys with full information. ill try. ok my swf is divided into these frame labels.. frm its starting point
preloader (frame 1) --> header (frame 10) ---> menu (frame 15)
im using ifFrameLoaded script for my preloader. in the preloader frame an animation lays while "header" loads. once its loaded, it will play header.
however, i also have this script below the preloader's script on the first frame
so assuming that its the first user'svisit, it will load the preloader animation then the header where there is animation of the menu n finally a static menu. if its the second user's visit, it will play the static menu straight away.Quote:
//visit history
var visit:SharedObject = SharedObject.getLocal("visitHistory");
var counter:Number = visit.data.visits;
var frameName:String = "";
if (counter == undefined) {
counter = 1;
visit.data.visits = counter;
frameName = "preloader";
} else {
counter = counter + 1;
visit.data.visits = counter;
frameName = "menu";
}
myCounter.flush();
this.gotoAndStop(frameName);
however, the code dosnt work. what happens is be it or not its the first or second visit, it will load preloader -> n jump to static menu. so i changed the,
i changed the first frameName to "header" instead of "preloader" and now its working. first preloader -> header -> menu for first visit. but on 2nd visit, i thought it wont play preloader anymore since its stored in the cookie. but itdoes and its pretty annoying :( for 2nd visit, it plays preloader -> static menuQuote:
if (counter == undefined) {
counter = 1;
visit.data.visits = counter;
frameName = "header";
im not sure the ifFrameLoaded code makes this happening. becoz i have that set up to go to "header"and not "menu"
so im pretty stumped now :| how do i initiate a preloader and still use sharedObject to not play animation for 2nd time visitors, or basically to avoid from header to be reloaded each time user clicks a link.
sorrie for this really long explanation. hope someone cares to explain :)
LastRadius,
So if I have some components (example: button components), they will add to the size of the first frame, regarless of which frame they are placed on?
Thanks!
Ryan
Yeah, that's right. They will be loaded before your preloader plays. Here is something I've read on the internet that will provide a work around for this problem. Note, I've never actually tried this with components so I'm not sure of the veracity of the information. Check it out and tell me if it works okay.
Approaches
1. In the Property Inspector click on the Publish Settings button.
2. Click on the Flash Tab and then click on the 'Settings' Button
3. In the [Export Frame for Classes] load classes on frame after preloader
finishes running.
4. In the Library right click on the component and select Linkage and
untick 'Export in first frame option' for all components, sound objects etc.
3. On the frame [step 3] you chose to load your components place them
offstage on a separate layer, or onstage if you plan on actually using them
in your movie on this frame.
So how does this preloader feature work for 3D flash animator? I have made a preloader with a dynamically loading par and percentage, which works in reference to itself. I tried making a scene with a preloader before the main movie, and also the preload movie option, and I can't get either to sync up with the main video. I guess I'm not referencing the main movie because the preloader's script does nothing.
Here is the preloader video file's script I have been trying to use:
I found this script similar to one in another forum on this site by 'blanius', and it works, in reference to itself. I don't know how to reference the other file.
After I made a scene called "preload" this is the script I have tried to use inside of scene 1, but it does not work. It moves past it onto scene 2.Code:pct = getBytesLoaded / getBytesTotal() * 100;
ptext= "LOADING " + toString (int(pct)) + "%"
element ("pct_bar").scale.x = pct
I suppose my main problem is how to reference the information from my main movie. But at this point I have no preload feature for my movie. Can someone help me with my issue?Code:var loaded = getBytesLoaded();
var total = getBytesTotal();
if (loaded>=total) {
gotoAndPlay("name_of_scene_2", 1);
}
My advice:
If you can, import it into Flash and add a regular preloader... easy as that.
~Sportzguy933
Hey.
Lastradius:
Did a little search for you:
http://www.kennybellew.com/tutorial/...ttachsound.htm
Hope that helps,
Sportzguy933
Thanks for the help. I'm familiar with the tutorial you've mentioned. Recently, I purchased some web space and actually did some online testing with regards to preloaders and it seems that I've ironed out my problems. Anyways, I appreciate your help. THANKS
Glad you were able to fix your problems.
~Sportzguy933
i decided to use this preloader
www.lukamaras.com/tutorials/preloaders/green-sphere-mathematical-preloader.php
but there is a small problem with it......
when the movie is finally loaded and playing, my music does not
and i have no clue why.
so i think i want to make an entirely new preloader that does almost the sam thing (loads an external movie using a placeholder) but id like it to have a bar, with the percent loaded and the amount of bytes loaded/total bytes
can somebody help me achieve this?
.....im not very talented in actionscripting, so it will probably have to be explained in a little more depth than most tutorials
in my footer are some links called preloader help 1 2
check them out they will help you understand how to create your own. :)
thanks a ton whispers this was perfect =]