Flash Question

[proton32060]

I have a question regarding Flash.

As I said before I am trying to learn everything as fast as I can but I have not gotten to Flash yet.

The question is I bought a Flash intro Template for this web site and it arrived in .swf format.

The question is can this be modified? Such as the text that is in it primarily.

I am now diverting into reading Flash because of this but it appears that the .swf format strips out everything but what is needed to play the movie.

I am not asking for instructions on how to do this. I will read the books myself when I get to that point.

But the look of this website is being designed around this intro. If I got screwed and can not modify the text in it, I need to know it now before I go any further.

[courtjester]

In flash, a .swf is a non-editable movie clip. I've used templates before, and yes, all they give you is a .swf and I don't see how you can do anything with them.

[Webforumz Staff]

You *can* import an SWF file if it HASN'T been protected, but in all liklihood, it has and even if you do import it, it will be in a very raw format. There would be a keyframe for every frame of the animation - so editing it would be a complete nightmare and it would publish much larger and far more complicated than the original.

So yes, you've been screwed. If you're provided a template, then you should most definetly have the FLA file.

[courtjester]

how can you import a .swf? I would like to know. Is there a special prgoram that you use for this? or is it just in your version of Flash MX?

[proton32060]

Ok, I got screwed- figures.

I know some of you must buy Flash intro templates occasionally rather than design them all from the ground up. I bought this from what appeared to a reputable company, but how can you really know dealing on the internet?

Anyone got a recommendation on a reliable company to purchase a quality flash intro from?

On more question, and as I said, I will learn the program myself and am not trying to use you guys as a shortcut. But I am reading constantly while I am doing this and there are only so many hours in the day.

And to be honest, learning Photoshop, Dreamweaver, javascript, DHTML, and CSS all at the same time is not an easy thing to do.

Here is the question:

Lets say the intro could be used as it stands since most of the text is pretty generic.

Import the swf file into flash and inset it on a larger canvas. Then place customized text above and below it with the original intro inset in the middle.

All I really need is a yes that could work or no it won’t.

I doubt it will but need to know for sure. I do know Flash uses vector graphics and mathematical representations to make it load fast. I am guessing that re-importing it loses all that information which is why it would export much larger.

I will learn all the specifics when I get to that stage in my education. But if this template is useless, I need to find another and change this web page now to reflect the new format.

[courtjester]

You can do that in flash.. and here is how you do it...

You have to create your larger surrounding portion of the intro.. then in that make a new movieclip (ctrl + F8) and give it a name. The field for the name should have by default <instance name> written in it.... Then select that movieclip and bring up the actionscript menu (F9). Use the following code...

Code: Select all

onClipEvent (load) {
    loadMovie("introyouhave.swf", "_root.InstanceName");
}

Now that intro will play inside of your new movie. It will play at the speed of your current movie.

[Webforumz Staff]

Court Jester is right... You can use loadMovie() to load another SWF file inside your own so that when it plays, flash does this itself. You *could* time things cleverly and overlay your text, etc, but using this method you cannot delete whatever is in the original, you can only cover it up, so it creates huge problems with background images and the like.

As for where to buy Flash templates... I never have! I've occasionally downloaded FLA files from Flashkit or Actionscript.org or Ultrashock.com, but usually just to find out HOW something is done and in the process I often learned new functions, methods, etc. I would never buy flash from domeone else, even when I was learning because the whole point for me was to learn.

[proton32060]

Sirkent wrote:

As for where to buy Flash templates... I never have! I've occasionally downloaded FLA files from Flashkit or Actionscript.org or Ultrashock.com, but usually just to find out HOW something is done and in the process I often learned new functions, methods, etc. I would never buy flash from domeone else, even when I was learning because the whole point for me was to learn.



I understand what you are saying and I may well have to make my own. The question is where can you get the music for the intro?

I am pretty good but there is no way I can compose music.

Searches only bring up commercial download sites.

So is there a source to get music for a Flash intro that you can use and keep you out of trouble with the Recording Industry?

If there is no source for music, is it possible to strip the music out of the .swf file and use it in another intro?

I did pay for the use of the intro and the music in it so I think I have a right to use it.

Edit: just anwsered my own quesion by going to Flashkit after I replied to the post.

Thanks, Sirkent

[courtjester]

haha, yeah, there are tons of different sound libraries on the internet.. Most are going to pay per sound though.. I have two different music mixers that I know personally that do music for me. As for the rest of the guys, I don't know where they get it from. Also, sirkent is right, I have never downloaded a flash movie template, only template I have ever used was the one's a company sent me and they had purchased. I had to re-create all the flash files thoough, cuase they were in .swf format.

[Smokie]

theres loads of tools out there which will allow you to decompile SWF files in order to change them, even if they are protected...

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=dec...wf&hl=en&meta=

[courtjester]

Yeah, but they still dont give you the "true" .FLA . So the quality my not be nearly as good as masking. I did one for a site once, and basically just masked over it and put in my own effects, but used the same things it did.

[Webforumz Staff]

Like I said, a deconstructed SWF will be the raw elements that made up the original, crudely put back together.