dynamic content in flash 8

[maxelcat]

Hi
A designer I know is making a site that the user wants to be able to change the photos and text for. I have some experience of using xhtml, php and mysql to make simple "Latest news" type websites - where users fill in simple forms and upload files etc

My question is presumably I have to integrate "something" with flash to produce the "Updatable pages". Do I go for php/database option or should I look to do it in xml (with which I have no experience really)

I am not sure where to start and would value some pointers on what direction to go - then I could start working out how to di it!
thanks in advance

Edward

[Ste]

Heya Ed,

I'd say it would depend, I think that XML would be easier for the designer to update, unless you were to build a back-end interface.

However, I've never used XML in Flash 8 (currently looking to learn it with actionscript3/cs3) but I have used PHP in Flash 8.

Off the top of my head, you'll need to use LoadVars to connect to the php files and from here you echo data back similar to way you would insert variables into the URL (using &var=example).

I'm on my way out to start my new placement (woohoo!) but checkout kirupa.com and actionscript.org, if your still having probs then let me know and I'll dust off my flash/php files and see if we can get you started

[maxelcat]

thanks for the reply. I have no real xml experience at present, but I reckon I could learn a bit!

A post on another site says "Go with what you know" so maybe the php route would be easier???

[acehigh]

Ok, so you want to have the viewer be able to input fields that they can change the content/media? Originally I was thinking you could do this in actionscript to do this, but im not sure. I searched around about this and i came up with a few links that MAY be useful for you.


data from external sources-php
http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorial/Loading-External-Data-into-Flash/8133

content manager-php
http://www.tutorialized.com/view/tutorial/Content-Manager-Flash-and-PHP/8135

dynamic text-loadvars
http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorial/Loading-External-Data-into-Flash/8133

[madprof]

Hi
My question is presumably I have to integrate "something" with flash to produce the "Updatable pages". Do I go for php/database option or should I look to do it in xml (with which I have no experience really)


I use a standard CMS to output templates that just happen to be XML, and that happen to have the right MIME type. Flash then reads it in and hey presto. It works very well.

[maxelcat]

thanks both for your hints. Have been away from pc for a few days. The links look very interesting Acehihg, and I will certainly have a good look and a play - when I get a moment.

Madproof - your reply sounds very interesting - where couuld I get more detail on this?

Thanks

Edward

[madprof]

thanks both for your hints. Have been away from pc for a few days. The links look very interesting Acehihg, and I will certainly have a good look and a play - when I get a moment.

Madprof - your reply sounds very interesting - where couuld I get more detail on this?

I meant standard as in "a CMS that normally just outputs HTML" rather than a CMS that I could give instructions on. Sorry if that was misleading.
Outputting XML should be possible with any CMS, as it is as simple as I described. However I know lots of them make it difficult to do simple things like this.

You could just write a PHP script that reads from a database, iterates over the rows returned and spits the relevant data into some XML.
And to put the info into the database just have a form behind a password submit to a script that writes into the database.

My advice would be to write this feature and try to avoid adding "cool stuff". If you really need cool stuff you can add it later. Shooting for the moon first will only delay you getting what you really want, which is controllable Flash movies. :)