Flash and VB A potent combination

Short Description
After installing Macromedia Flash MX (not the free Flash player) you can use it … This component is installed on your system when you install Macromedia …

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Content
Flash and VB: A potent combination
Macromedia Flash and VB: A Potent Combination
Mindfire Solutions
www.mindfiresolutions.com
March 11, 2003
Abstract
This article focuses on an often-neglected but all-important aspect of any software application - the user interface. For years, desktop applications have had boring gray rectangular windows, buttons etc. Animation, multi-media, visual effects and custom elements were possible, but required large amount of custom programming. Even making a non-rectangular button would need good C++ skills. The web and its use of Flash change the equation. Web-based applications look far more attractive and user-friendly than comparable desktop application, but are easy to develop with Flash. In this article, we present ideas for using Flash inside VB applications, thus injecting new life into desktop software products.
Copyright
. 2002 Mindfire Solutions. All rights reserved.
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Contents
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1
Contents………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2
Specifications…………………………………………………………………………………………………..2
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………3
Starting with Flash (for the VB programmer)……………………………………………………………3
Flash programming: ActionScript………………………………………………………………………..3
Flash file formats………………………………………………………………………………………………3
FSCommand in ActionScript………………………………………………………………………………4
Flash and VB………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4
Flash.ocx (SWFlash.ocx) ActiveX component………………………………………………………4
Flash playing inside VB programs……………………………………………………………………….4
FSCommand event…………………………………………………………………………………………….5
Set/GetVariable functions…………………………………………………………………………………..6
Our sample application………………………………………………………………………………………….6
Creating the simple Flash file……………………………………………………………………………..6
Programming VB-Flash interaction……………………………………………………………………..7
Advanced Topics………………………………………………………………………………………………….7
Division of responsibilities…………………………………………………………………………………7
Data exchange between Flash and VB………………………………………………………………….8
Use of XML……………………………………………………………………………………………………..8
Passing notifications from VB to Flash………………………………………………………………..8
VB/Flash issues in a real-life project……………………………………………………………………….9
VB crashed while adding the Flash component on some machines………………………….9
Passing values from one Flash frame to another………………………………………………….10
Error in Flash for scripts, which execute for long………………………………………………..10
Passing key events to Flash from VB form containing other controls…………………….11
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………..12
Specifications
?Windows, Visual Basic 6.0, Macromedia Flash MX
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