Re: FLASH: javascript: vs. FsCommand - WHY?!

[RedStar]

Sven et al.


I'll try to answer Marc's challenge.

First of all start out by reading Macromedia's tech note on scripting

with Flash, over the years this has evolved into a very good tech note.

Also if you haven't done so already download the update templates for

Flash and place them in the proper folder. The original template for

FSCommands does not work for Netscape due to a missing parameter.

After doing this go over to JC's Flash Bible and read :

http://www.FlashBible.com/members/FSCommand/

Take a look at the HawaiiDemo that is linked from there to see a quick

sample of FSCommands in action.

If you've managed so far then you'll have all you need to start using

FSCommands.

And now let's address Sven's question 'why should this be useful?' and

'I can call any javascript function...'

It's a simple matter of direction of communication. Using the

javascript: protocol from a Flash movie allows you to establish

communication from the movie to a script that can then execute some task

or other. If you only use this type of communication then any results

generated from the script can not be reflected back on the movie as you

have established a one way comm link Flash->Script.

If you want a full bi-directional communication where Flash can trigger

events and also be influenced by events then FSCommands come into play.

Using FSCommands you establish a two way bridge between the movie and

it's external environment.

The range of possibilities this opens up is huge as you can see.

On a first level you can access all the built in functions that

javascript allows for and that are not present in Flash 4 ActionScript.

It's also useful as a way of getting dynamic data or events to influence

the way the movie plays or acts and this is just another field with

lot's of potential.

Another area that FSCommands open up is the interaction of Flash with

other plugins as used in the Flash Beatnik combo (Flashnik).

So investing a bit of time in understanding FSCommands can bring big

rewards.


.redstar.



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