Host of Flash problems

[johndove1]

I'm undergoing my first experience incorporating Flash into AMS 4, and I'm experienceing a host of problems. I have provided a detailed itemized list of issues below. All help appreciated.

Problem 1. - Upon placing my .swf into AMS, doing a build and going to the Flash page, the movie starts and within seconds, the .swf's integrity is compromised (i.e., art and fonts become "bitmappy"), then go back to normal, display continues back and forth this way. Also, during the "bitmappy" instances, all .swf elements shift position a little (as if they we're bumped). I experimented with some different Page Settings which yielded nothing conclusive, although I temporarily got correct display results by switching off the "Automatically play..." option, (I want it to autoplay) but after a few times that option starting giving me the same bad results. Note: My .swf fills up the entire AMS window. I'm thinking this shouldn't affect the display, but could it?Anyone have any idea why this is happening and how to fix it?

Problem 2 - In addition to the 1st problem above, for some unknown reason when playing in AMS 4, my .swfs are reaching a certain point of play and then revert back to the very beginning of the movie and start all over again. (%$#^$#!!) The suspicious thing here is that this "revert" usually happens very close to a Scene change. Does this raise any red flags?

Problem 3 - I have buttons within my movies that don't work. I'm pretty sure I've given them improper commands (in Flash), but I don't know the right ones. They are as follows:

1. Flash Button (intending to go to AMS 4 "StartPage" - - page name actually is "StartPage"
Action I have set for button: On Press: FS Command ("StartPage", "") - - doesn't work.

2. Sprite Button (intending to immediately start other .swf movie)
Action I have set for button: On Press: Load Movie "moviename.swf" - - NOTE: I'm pointing to the AMS Distribution Folder for ALL .SWF movies - - WORKS in Flash Preview environment, doesn't work in AMS Build & Preview.

I have also tried these commands -
On Press: Load Movie "%SrcDir%\moviename.swf" - - doesn't work.
On Press: Load Movie "Flash\moviename.swf" - - doesn't work.

- - - - - - - -

All help appreciated with these issues. P.S. - I'm not an engineer or a code jock - - Please respond with detail in "layman's" terms - - appreciated! Thanks.

JD
[email protected]

[johndove1]

Re: Host of Flash problems

I've solved problem # 2. This was caused by an incorrect action set in the Flash movie. Still hoping for help on all other issues.

Thanks!

JD
[email protected]

[Derek]

Re: Host of Flash problems

Hi johndove1

1. I guess the first question here is: How does the file play outside AMS4; ie: in the Flash player? Does it give the same results etc?

3. As you know, you need to use FSCommand in Flash to pass commands to AMS4:

<font color=purple>on (press) {
FSCommand ("StartPage", "");
} </font color=purple>

- so your Actions for the startpage button will be thus:

<font color=purple>%Property% = FlashObject[Flash1].GetProperty ("Last FSCommand")
IF (%Property% = StartPage)
Page.Jump ("StartPage")
END IF</font color=purple>

The answer will be the same for the other button, also. You could use:

<font color=purple>FSCommand ("LoadMovie", "");</font color=purple>

... just ensure you adjust the actions for these, if necessary, to suit.

Here are the Actions for the first button FYC - just copy paste [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

<font color=green>
<IR_ACTIONS_LIST>
<Action name="Get Property">
<Type>98</Type>
<Function>0</Function>
<DTIndentLevel>0</DTIndentLevel>
<Enabled>1</Enabled>
<ErrorHandling>
<UserNotificationMode>2</UserNotificationMode>
<CustomErrorMessage/>
<OnErrorAction>0</OnErrorAction>
<JumpToLabel/>
</ErrorHandling>
<Variable>%Property%</Variable>
<ObjectName>Flash1</ObjectName>
<Property>Last FSCommand</Property>
</Action>
<Action name="IF">
<Type>200</Type>
<Function>1</Function>
<DTIndentLevel>0</DTIndentLevel>
<Enabled>1</Enabled>
<ErrorHandling>
<UserNotificationMode>2</UserNotificationMode>
<CustomErrorMessage/>
<OnErrorAction>0</OnErrorAction>
<JumpToLabel/>
</ErrorHandling>
<Condition>%Property% = StartPage</Condition>
</Action>
<Action name="Jump">
<Type>1</Type>
<Function>0</Function>
<DTIndentLevel>1</DTIndentLevel>
<Enabled>1</Enabled>
<ErrorHandling>
<UserNotificationMode>2</UserNotificationMode>
<CustomErrorMessage/>
<OnErrorAction>0</OnErrorAction>
<JumpToLabel/>
</ErrorHandling>
<PageName>StartPage</PageName>
</Action>
<Action name="END IF">
<Type>201</Type>
<Function>1</Function>
<DTIndentLevel>0</DTIndentLevel>
<Enabled>1</Enabled>
<ErrorHandling>
<UserNotificationMode>2</UserNotificationMode>
<CustomErrorMessage/>
<OnErrorAction>0</OnErrorAction>
<JumpToLabel/>
</ErrorHandling>
</Action>
</IR_ACTIONS_LIST>
</font color=green>

[johndove1]

Re: Host of Flash problems

Hi Derek,

RE: 1. Integrity problem is only in AMS, not Flash.

RE: 3. Got the [Flash to AMS] link to work (failed to set a command in AMS to receive the link) so thanks for that, BUT... I'm still stuck on the other link:

"...Sprite Button (intending to immediately start other .swf movie - -
Action I have set for button: On Press: FS Command "moviename.swf", "" -

I'm pretty sure at this point that I'm just not setting the proper action IN AMS in order for my Flash link to start the 2nd Flash movie. I think you have given me the answer in:

"%Property% = FlashObject[Flash1].GetProperty ("Last FSCommand")
IF (%Property% = StartPage)
Page.Jump ("StartPage")
END IF

- - Forgive me, but could you dumb this down just a little more? (I don't even OWN a beanie!) I'm still confused on how to set the SUBSEQUENT FS action to start the 2nd movie. To clarify what I've got:

In AMS:
1st FS Command does page jump [Flash to AMS] - this is successful
2nd FS Command (same Flash object) has to Start the 2nd movie ON Click. - This second part is what I don't quite have yet.

AND - the bitmappy integrity problem remains also.

Thanks Derek, and all!

JD
[email protected]