help with external image loader...

[sophistikat]

you need XML to make this automatic, let me show you how;
xml: create an xml file with all your images and their description

<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<library>
	<jpg>
		<file>fotos/foto0.jpg</file>
		<desc>Antigua</desc>
	</jpg>
	<jpg>
		<file>fotos/foto1.jpg</file>
		<desc>Flag's Emblem</desc>
	</jpg>
	<jpg>
		<file>fotos/foto2.jpg</file>
		<desc>Village</desc>
	</jpg>
	<jpg>
		<file>fotos/foto3.jpg</file>
		<desc>Mayan Girl</desc>
	</jpg>
	<jpg>
		<file>fotos/foto4.jpg</file>
		<desc>Lake Atitlan</desc>
	</jpg>
</library>

flash: gallery is now based on the information from our xml file

//: SETUP INITIAL VARIABLES
var oldVar = 0;
var newVar = 0;
var si = 0;
 
//: GET XML
var my_xml = new XML ();
my_xml.ignoreWhite = true;
my_xml.onLoad = function (success) {
    if (success) {
        library = this.firstChild.childNodes;
        maxVal = library.length;
        delete my_xml;
        getImage ();
    } else {
        desc_txt.text = 'Error: XML Not Loaded';
    }
};
my_xml.load ('library.xml');
 
//: LOAD THE NEXT IAMGE
function getImage () {
    newVar = Math.floor (Math.random () * maxVal);
    if (newVar == oldVar) {
        getImage ();
    } else {
        oldVar = newVar;
        container_mc.loadMovie (library[newVar].firstChild.firstChild.nodeValue);
        container_mc._alpha = 0;
        this.onEnterFrame = function () {
            if (container_mc._width > 0) {
                container_mc._x = Stage.width / 2 - container_mc._width / 2;
                container_mc._y = Stage.height / 2 - container_mc._height / 2;
                container_mc.onEnterFrame = fadeIn;
                desc_txt.text = library[newVar].firstChild.nextSibling.firstChild.nodeValue;
                delete this.onEnterFrame;
            }
        };
    }
}
 
//: FADE IN THE CURRENT MOVIECLIP
function fadeIn () {
    if (this._alpha <= 100) {
        this._alpha += 5;
    } else {
        this._alpha = 100;
        delete this.onEnterFrame;
        si = setInterval (fadeOut, 2000);
    }
}
 
//: FADE OUT THE CURRENT MOVIECLIP
function fadeOut () {
    clearInterval (si);
    container_mc.onEnterFrame = function () {
        if (this._alpha >= 0) {
            this._alpha -= 5;
        } else {
            this._alpha = 0;
            delete this.onEnterFrame;
            getImage ();
        }
    };
}

once you've designed your gallery in flash, all you need to do is edit the xml file to see your changes; no need to publish the swf file again.
good luck with your gallery,
sophistikat

+
learn more:
Introduction to XML in Flash
XML Object

[Peter Cherry]

Ok I didn´t want to use any additional things like XML file, but I will see, what is better for me - additional XML file or regenerating SWF Nevertheless many thanks for code

[Peter Cherry]

So it is Monday morning and I decided to use XML version of your code It is better than regenerating .sfw But are you 100% sure taht Flash is not able to count number of .jpg files in folder ? I would leave picture description but automatic possibility of adding pictures to folder would be great.

But on the other side, scomplete solution through XML is also good...

[sophistikat]

Originally Posted by Peter Cherry

But are you 100% sure taht Flash is not able to count number of .jpg files in folder ?

yes, you need a php script to read the contents of a folders so here's a link to a tutorial with source files on how to complish this; EMLlabs article: Sequential Image Loader 2.0 - Using PHP to do all the hard work


good luck,
sophistikat

[Peter Cherry]

Hi,
it is some time ago, but back to Sophistikat code...what about diacritic ? When I use letters like ěščřžýáí slideshow get stop working...

[Peter Cherry]

So I am using former code for loading external images via XML. Images are loading in random order, but they are repeating sometimes

What should I add to the code, to have random order but with repeating after all pictures were displayed ?

[sophistikat]

check out some random prototypes at http://proto.layer51.com/default.aspx

[Peter Cherry]

As non programmer, I am afraid, it is not very clear to me

I think I should rewrite somehow the following part:

newVar = Math.floor (Math.random () * maxVal);
if (newVar == oldVar) {
getImage ();
} else {

but how ?

[Peter Cherry]

I have also one theoretical question: When I run this slideshow in separate movie, everything works fine. But in case of implementing it into more complex movie, where I also have other actionscripts (external typewriter style text fed also form XML files), there is strange thing:

Sometimes this slideshow displays for example 20 pictures and than stops, sometimes only 3-5 pictures, sometimes even 1 picture and than stops...???

Is it possible that there are some interactions ? As I said, I am beginner with actionscript...where could be problem.... ? what about this.firstChild.nodes....or in some variables ???

Any experiences
Thanx
Peter

[soft_machine]

Hey Sophistikat!
Wicked script.
One question...is there any way to load sets of random images via xml from different image directories - it's cool with one images folder, but I'd like to use more and have them load randomly.