Tutorial - Flash (SWF) Movies and Wix

[cangrejero]

When you see a Flash (SWF) movie, what you are actually seeing is the execution of an "SWF" file.

Various programs exist that produce SWF ("Flash") movies. For many, the best is "Adobe Flash Professional", formerly known as "Macromedia Flash". "Adobe Flash Professional" last version is CS4; the "CS" coming from "Creative Suite". You have to purchase "Adobe Flash Professional", although a trial version is available here.

There is an open source (free) Flash program called "Open Source Flash". It can be downloaded here. Since I have never worked with " Open Source Flash ", there is little that I can contribute.

"Adobe Flash Professional" and "Open Source Flash" are similar in that they create a type of file that carries the "FLA" extension. If you have one of these programs and a "FLA" file, you have all the necessary tools to modify the FLA to your heart's content.

There are other programs that also create "Flash" movies. For example, "Alligator Flash Designer" (you can download a trial here) and "CoffeeCup Flash Firestarter" (you can download a trial here). As opposed to "Adobe Flash Professional" and "Open Source Flash", "Alligator Flash Designer" and "CoffeeCup Flash Firestarter" do not create nor do they read "FLA" files.

What these four programs, and others, do have in common is that "they publish" files with the "SWF" extension. In "Flash", to publish is to convert a file into a "SWF". To see a "SWF" file you either have to have a program that creates or interprets them, or you must have "FlashPlayer" installed in your PC. As of today, the last version of "FlashPlayer" is number 10. There might be other programs that execute "SWF" files.

Some programs, including "Adobe Flash Professional", use a programming language called "Action Script"; also known as "AS". AS gives unlimited potential to "Adobe Flash Professional". As of today, the last version of "Action Script" is number 3. Unfortunately, the difference between AS2 and AS3 is so great and beneficial that they are not 100% compatible.

Regardless of the above, if you upload a "SWF" file to Wix that was NOT created with the parameters that Wix requires or it your SWF has content that you want to modify, you will have problems. Let's see.

Wix requires that "SWFs" be created for "FlashPlayer" 9; in AS3; and at 25 "FPS" ("frames per second"). If your "SWF" does not comply with this , your "SWF" will not work in Wix. In fact, when you place it in your page, you will see a warning. On the other hand, if you desire to modify your "SWF", but do not have the "FLA", Wix cannot help you. But all is not lost.

By the way; as of 7/8/09, neither "Alligator Flash Designer" nor "CoffeeCup Flash Firestarter" create SWF based on AS3.

If you have the "FLA" and "Open Source Flash", I cannot help you. Perhaps someone else can contribute.

If you have the "FLA" and "Adobe Flash Professional", open the "FLA", modify it to your pleasure and publish your "SWF" after changing its settings to comply with Wix requirements. "Publish Settings" is found in the menu "File". Once there, selects the Tab titled "Flash", and change "Player" to "FlashPlayer" 9 and "Script" to "Action Script 3.0". The "FPS" can be changed in the "Properties" for the "FLA".

If the only thing that you have is the "SWF", you have to decompile it first to create a "FLA". Don't be scared; there are programs that do this very easily. I prefer "Trillix Flash Decompiler". You can download a trial here.

The instructions provided herein refer to AS2 to AS3 SWF conversions that contain no actionscript code. If your SWF does contain AS code, see doymarn's instructions quoted below.

Credit to doymarn
See Numerous SWF problems

"AS2 to AS3 actionscript code conversion - You cannot convert AS2 actionscript code to AS3 actionscript code by any automatic process of importing to flash CS4 (or CS3) and exporting again. AS2 actionscript code has to be re-written to the equivalent new methods and functions of AS3 actionscript code. This can only be done by access to the FLA file of the swf in question, opening it in CS3 or CS4 and manually changing the code to AS3 actionscript code and logic.... which is almost like writting it from the beginning.

If you do not have the FLA of the original AS2 swf then you can try to decompile it with Trillix's Flash Decompiler but be aware of the copyright ownership that will come into play. Decompiling is a hit and miss exercise and this conversion exercise requires very good knowledge of flash and actionscript coding, AS2 and AS3."

I hope that this helps you. As questions come up I will address them here. Any errors in the above are mine alone; not Wix'.

[TomFTW]

Good work! Great in-depth tutorial, I might use it in my WixTips thread and give you the credit

I might also use this for my siteif it is needed, thanks for this mate

Tom

[cangrejero]

U R welcome!

[TomFTW]

You are featured on page 3 WixTips.com help thread.

[landrieu]

Hi Guys,

Could you please illustrate your posts with videos with www.screentoaster.com ? Yo can embed the videos of in your posts. Videos are a good alternative to text as newbies can assimilate them faster than texts.
The www.screentoaster.com will soon be propulsed as wix support official tool.

[TomFTW]

Originally Posted by landrieu

Hi Guys,

Could you please illustrate your posts with videos with www.screentoaster.com ? Yo can embed the videos of in your posts. Videos are a good alternative to text as newbies can assimilate them faster than texts.
The www.screentoaster.com will soon be propulsed as wix support official tool.

Videos are faster, but not nesessarily more informative. If written properly; documentation can be a lot more helpful to a dedicated user that actually need's help badly.

Video's may be easy for you but there is a lot of room for error with a standard user. Text is more universal, i would stick with text.

(Why would Wix set up a FORUM as a help base for you're users if text was so useless? It isnt )

[landrieu]

The fact is that visual impacts the memory more than texts, a forum can be both texts and else videos, this is why it s possible to embed some in. I think that the vision is more universal that words, for exemple, when you're in a country you don't speak the language of, if you're thirsty, you'll make your interlocutor understand you with gesture, not words the most of the time, feel me??

[TomFTW]

Yeah I see what you're saying, the only real way is to try it and test it's response (which i am doing for the password lock)

[landrieu]

Yeah, video is good, even for sites landing pages etc to attrat users. Having some interesting medias on a landing page is quite important.