loading movies

[mav660]

loading movies and Fs Command from a button
Can anyone tell me the basics of the 'Load Movie' command.

I seem to have a problem understanding the initial procedures involved Before using the 'Load Movie' command in the 'actions' pallette.

Am I loading movies that have been created independently or Movie clips that have been made within the framework of the original movie.
How do you instruct them where on the screen to load and is there a way to get them to automatically close at the end of their 'use' ?

e.g: if a new 'mc' is loaded, for the purpose of playing a music sample, it would be great if it closed upon completion of the piece.

If anyone can understand the way I have explained myself here, then 'YOU' are the one to give me the advice.

Oh.......... and how the hell do you use levels?

Anyone who can put me straight on this one is either very clever for understanding and translating my-
explanations..................or as confused as I am.

[Jesse]

loadMovie is for loading external swfs, not elements in the current file's library.
you can load into a leevl or an empty movieclip:
// load into a level
loadMovieNum("1.swf",1);
// then.. on another frame to allow for load time
_level1.gotoAndPlay(2);

// OR

// load into MC (my favourite)
// requires an MC on the stage with an instance name 'target'
loadMovie("1.swf","_root.target");
// then.. on another frame to allow for load time
_root.target.gotoAndPlay(2);

to remove a move once loaded you use unloadMovie() and the syntax varies depending on how you laoded the move originally.

[mav660]

It may seem that i am very slow on the uptake with this subject........................................... .....
probably because I am, but there ya go, thats middle age for you.
Could you please elaborate on a few points for me?
I have no working knowledge of action script yet and therefore each phrase or abbreviation is a mountain for me to comprehend.

The main things I am concerned about are:

1/.How do you position your independent swfs where you want them to appear?

2/.Is there a way for them to preload in the background when someone goes to the site?

I am constructing a site where the whole thing will be controlled from the index page and it will have approximately 20 independent swf's to load on the top of the index page whenever instructed by the viewer, obviously the quicker they load the better so a background preload method when the site is opened would be perfect.
Ideally they should all be semi transparent and show the index page as well.

Any help with above greatly appreciated.

[bilbo]

You can put your independent .swf's inside a movie clip and then position the movie clip.

ex. yourtarget.loadMovie ("somemovie.swf")
on the clip you can put a script with

ex. onClipEvent (load) {
this._x = 10;
this._y = 25
If you do not put you swf into a movie clip, it will position itself on a (0,0) target or upper-left.

I would recommend buying the book by O'Reilly called ActionScript for Flash. It will help you out.

[mav660]

Well thats opened up a whole nest of worms for me to deal with!
Get to 38 and thinking is not a problem, retaining he information is!!!!!
As Homer Simpson says "every time I put some new information in my head, some of the old stuff, falls out!!
A few quick questions if you have the time.

'ex'
Is this one of the actionscript commands or an abbreviation?
(yes I am that new at action script).
when you say: 'your target' how would I portray the following in actionscript?

from button's selected on the main Index' movie I want 20 mc's to open on the right hand side of the frame (basically a menu which contains everything to the one URL.

After right clicking on the button and selecting actions, where do I go from there?

If you can take the time to help me through this one it would be great.

Regarding the book. I don't know where you are based.
Do you know if the book is available in England?

Once again thanks for coming back.