Week 12
Monday * March 29
Working with dynamic text, components, and XML in Flash.
- LAB Work on Lesson 8 (bring book and CD to class!) -- plus extra XML goodness!
- LECTURE 1 Examples of dynamic data in online journalism packages.
- LECTURE 2 Proper use of the three types of text in Flash CS4.
DUE 9 a.m. Monday (via e-mail): Critique 3
READ Lesson 8 in Adobe Flash CS4 Professional Classroom in a Book (ACiaB).
EXAMINE An in-depth look at USA's religious beliefs, practices (USA Today)
Notes * * *
Flash components: These are supposed to save us time in Flash development, but I find most Flash components to be too inflexible. The exception: The Flash video components (we used these last week) are easy to use and very helpful.
XML data: Most news organizations feed external information into Flash via XML. You may never need to create an XML document from scratch, but you may well be expected to edit one, or to insert data into an XML format. NOTE: You do NOT need a Flash component to load text, images, etc., from outside Flash.
Dynamic text: When text comes into Flash from an external source, it must be displayed in a text field of the type Dynamic. (The other two types of text in Flash are Static and Input.) When you create a Static text field, you specify font, style, size, color, anti-aliasing, alignment and position (X,Y). With Dynamic text, you also need to consider :
- An instance name for the text field (ending in _txt)
- Character Embedding: On the Properties panel, under Character
- Multiline: On the Properties panel, under Paragraph (Behavior)
Supplemental * * *
- Adobe ActionScript 3.0: Working with XML: Resource from Adobe.
- Create dynamic text fields using XML and Adobe Flash CS4, by Ruth Stryker. This is a really simple little tutorial showing how to design an online restaurant menu.
- Components Learning Guide for Flash CS4/ActionScript 3: There is much more to Flash CS4 components than the two that you used in Lesson 8 in the book.
- Using ActionScript 3.0 Components (Flash CS5): These appear to be the same as the ones we have now.
- ActionScript 3 samples for Flash CS4 Professional: Free download of a whole bunch of FLAs that demonstrate various techniques in ActionScript 3.0.