PDA

View Full Version : Help: How to Flash Without Flashing?

Disneyphile
02-05-2008, 11:34 PM
No, not my boobs, even though it's Mardi Gras. (And, I certainly don't need help doing that.) ;)

I'm working on my website (the current one is just a placeholder). I'd like some fancy dynamics, but I'm not familiar with how to make Flash-type sites.

I only own Frontpage, and have no money for other programs, but would love something that imitates a Flash site, that can have a bit of motion, and then also load my sample videos into an on-screen player from the same page.

Is it even possible, or am I just hoping for a miracle that just can't happen?

Here's a site that pretty much shows the kind of thing I'd love to do: Link (http://lovemachinefilms.com/home.html)

Thanks for any tips, tricks, suggestions! :)
figment1986
02-05-2008, 11:49 PM
seems like some php codes would work... I don't know any of them.. though i do use dream weaver for side projects..

Hopefully someone will have a good idea of what you could do to emulate the idea you want.
keith - SuPeR K!
02-05-2008, 11:55 PM
If you aren't going to use Flash or any other similar proprietary system you would most likely be looking at something scripted with JavaScript. There are lots of frameworks out there that make simple animations possible, but you would need someone with some JS knowledge to put it all together for you. No program like FrontPage is going to offer that kind of stuff. If you want to PM me a more in-depth description of what you are trying to do I might be able to help.
keith - SuPeR K!
02-05-2008, 11:57 PM
seems like some php codes would work...

PHP won't help with animation or anything on the client side as it is server-side scripting. You would need to use client-side scripting... JavaScript.
Kevy Baby
02-06-2008, 12:01 AM
Yeah, I'm just gonna leave this thread alone.
keith - SuPeR K!
02-06-2008, 01:17 AM
As for a video playing on your page, that can be easily accomplished by encoding the video in FLV, MPG, or AVI and embedding a media player in your page. That is very simple code to place in your HTML page.
LSPoorEeyorick
02-06-2008, 08:02 AM
Yeah, you can do the video-encoded-FLV on an html page, and that will give the sense of movement. Java will work, to a point, but really, I think your best bet is to hire a flash artist to do something really simple for you. The "Love Machine Films" site has flash embedded in the html, and that definitely would require a flash artist. (And my flash guys suggest nixing the html and just going with full-flash; flash-in-html can bug out pretty badly - the LMF site, while lovely, was a tiny bit buggy.) Let me know if you need any contacts or suggestions if you want to go this direction; up-and-comers and/or some of my flash pals are often willing to do things for lower prices or for trade.
LSPoorEeyorick
02-06-2008, 08:12 AM
Ooh - I also forgot to suggest that if you DO want to go that way, you can request that it be XML-driven so that you can update and add to the copy, linked video, etc, yourself!
Snowflake
02-06-2008, 08:16 AM
swishmax is a terrific flash program I have used (and I use FP too) and much easier than macromedia flash. Cost is minimal, I have it, and I will be more than happy to help you to create a flash intro if you wanna. PM me.
lizziebith
02-06-2008, 05:21 PM
I was going to suggest swishmax...and the good thing is you have the option of actually learning flash while learning swish. That's how I got started ages ago...
figment1986
02-06-2008, 10:58 PM
PHP won't help with animation or anything on the client side as it is server-side scripting. You would need to use client-side scripting... JavaScript.

woops... forgot, my friend does his sites in php while other use xhtml.

Should have remembered javascript...

embedding a video on a "flash" index is easily...
keith - SuPeR K!
02-07-2008, 02:41 PM
(And my flash guys suggest nixing the html and just going with full-flash; flash-in-html can bug out pretty badly - the LMF site, while lovely, was a tiny bit buggy.)

Making an entire site in Flash is a horrible idea from a usability standpoint. Flash-in-HTML is the way to go if you do in fact decide to use Flash. The only reason a Flash-in-HTML site would be buggy is if it was coded improperly.
Disneyphile
02-07-2008, 02:47 PM
So, K, if I'm using FrontPage, can I just embed a Flash file into it? If so, then I might be able to handle this.

I already use QuickTime by default, if that will work with the same results.

Oh, and Snow, thanks for the Swishmax recommendation. That's a bit more within my budget, so I might acquire it. I can already make animations in Motion, but I just can't export to Flash.
LSPoorEeyorick
02-07-2008, 02:52 PM
Making an entire site in Flash is a horrible idea from a usability standpoint.

Really? That's all our (http://www.jetsetstudios.com/) clients want anymore.

Whichever way you go, T, I'm sure it'll look great.
Disneyphile
02-07-2008, 03:00 PM
Really? That's all our (http://www.jetsetstudios.com/) clients want anymore.

Whichever way you go, T, I'm sure it'll look great.I'm still considering working on a trade with some of your Flash pals, if they would need video work, editing, and/or web compression help. :)

For now, I'm working on a less fancy HTML site with some dynamics, but I'm all about making it super fancy for the long term. (Simple is not in my nature. ;) ) And, at that point, I'll have an HTML alternative link for those who can't handle the Flash stuff.