Does anyone know how to use Flash?

[Slingshot]

I'm trying to build a fairly simple website to display photos. I don't want to download one of the off the shelf album programs though because I want to have full control over the design.

I'm trying to make an ablum that displays a number of thumb nails and when you click on a thumbnail it displays a larger version of that image with in the same window.

Any hints?

[Big Dave]

I'm trying to build a fairly simple website to display photos. I don't want to download one of the off the shelf album programs though because I want to have full control over the design.

I'm trying to make an ablum that displays a number of thumb nails and when you click on a thumbnail it displays a larger version of that image with in the same window.

Any hints?

Like this?
http://www.davidcohen.co.nz/tflash.swf

Make the thumbnails buttons (f8) and give them the event command:
on mouseover go to frame number x - put the photos on the corresponding frame no..
don't forget to tell it what to do on mouse out too. - usually go to frame 1 or 2
also tell people to wait while it loads.

[dhunt]

I'm trying to build a fairly simple website to display photos. I don't want to download one of the off the shelf album programs though because I want to have full control over the design.

I'm trying to make an ablum that displays a number of thumb nails and when you click on a thumbnail it displays a larger version of that image with in the same window.

Any hints?

My thinking is actually do this statically. ie have web page with images on it (thumbnails) that are linked to the orignal images. This just requires standard html tags and something to generate the thumbnails from the orignal images. This is what I do for my photos, If you want to have a look pm me.

It's a while since I'ved used flash but I seem to remember seeing or using an example photo album that I copied ideas out for something I was working on. Can't really remember much about how to do stuff in flash as I don't have it on my computer to refamilize myself with.

[bugjuice]

why use flash? can't you just do it with good ol' html? Not to knock anyone, but flash can be quite bulky to download and start up, where as html can be easier to use, update and load..
just my 2¢
Flash is cool, I use it here and there, but can be over used sometimes

[Skunk]

I hate flash... Slow loading etc. Sorry Big Dave. I would do it with php and a flat file or mySQL for storing the images. Or static html.

[Big Dave]

I hate flash... Slow loading etc. Sorry Big Dave. I would do it with php and a flat file or mySQL for storing the images. Or static html.

No need to be sorry gwasshopper- I just use batch processing in photoshop myself. - but that wouldn't have answered the question.

Flash is OK - just you have to download it all prior to displaying anything much - rather than as you go. Having animation - fade in fade out eg is cool - and there is other cool shit you can do..
http://www.davidcohen.co.nz/postcard/pages/fwks.htm

I dislike php cfm and asp fwiw. but then I prefer apple computers and triumph motorcycles too.

[Slingshot]

Thanks for the replies...part of the reason for wanting to use flash was because I haven't used it before. Plus it tends to have a really clean look.

Big Dave, that's the type of thing I'm looking to do but I'd look to load change the image on mouse over, load the larger on mouse click and then leave that image there until clicking another image.
Are you suggesting to make the button a movie clip that has events, rather than making a button that links to a movie clip? It kinda makes sense.
Do you mind if I de-compile your album to see how you've made it?

Good points on how long it takes to download and updating the site but there won't be too many images and I won't be changing the images very often at all.

[Big Dave]

Thanks for the replies...part of the reason for wanting to use flash was because I haven't used it before. Plus it tends to have a really clean look.

Big Dave, that's the type of thing I'm looking to do but I'd look to load change the image on mouse over, load the larger on mouse click and then leave that image there until clicking another image.
Are you suggesting to make the button a movie clip that has events, rather than making a button that links to a movie clip? It kinda makes sense.
Do you mind if I de-compile your album to see how you've made it?

Good points on how long it takes to download and updating the site but there won't be too many images and I won't be changing the images very often at all.

Sure - I can't find that original file however - quite a while ago and I did it for the same reasons. Just to see if'n i could.

I would make the thumbnail a button and then animate via making it a movie clip in the mouseover frame

[Skunk]

I dislike php cfm and asp fwiw.

Hmmm, couldn't do the image library I maintain in Flash.

but then I prefer apple computers...

Least we agree on one thing

[Big Dave]

Hmmm, couldn't do the image library I maintain in Flash.
:

Which one?

'Maintain' and 'flash' i have found to be words that don't go together particularly well. Adding to a complex movie can be a real pita.
databases are out of the question, agreed. Thing is I do 'brochures', front ends and nothing at all relational.

[Skunk]

Which one?

Greater Wellington Regional Council: no, you can't see it. Clients only. (Fucken can't show anyone my best work...)

'Maintain' and 'flash' i have found to be words that don't go together particularly well. Adding to a complex movie can be a real pita.
databases are out of the question, agreed. Thing is I do 'brochures', front ends and nothing at all relational.

I do digital prepress mainly trapping, CTP and impo and ad delivery. System maintenance on the side.

I was on a PHP mailing list and they talked about DB backends hooking in to Flash. It has started...

(Sorry Slingshot; pirated this thread big time )

[Slingshot]

Sweet as...Big Dave has given me enough to get started.