Embedding Movies with Flash, Part I: Basic Methods

In this column we continue our series on embedding Flash objects in Web pages. We presented the basics of Flash and the FlashSound JavaScript API in Column 81, Embedding Sound with Flash, Part I: The Basics. We extended our coverage to multiple tracks and the interaction between them in Column 82, Embedding Sound with Flash, Part II: Playing Variations, and we concluded our coverage of the FlashSound JavaScript API in Column 83, Embedding Sound with Flash, Part III: Streams. We then turned our attention to native JavaScript support of Flash in Column 84, Embedding Sound with Flash, Part IV: Native JavaScript. In this column we start a mini-series on embedding Flash movies, as opposed to Flash sound we have covered so far.

In this column we'll demonstrate a batch of Flash methods. Many Flash methods are geared towards movies, so you must have a Flash movie to see these methods in action. We'll first show you the basic steps you need to take in order to embed and play a Flash movie. We'll then show you some of the fundamental operations you'd expect to find in a video camera or a video projector: play, rewind, zoom, and pan.

In this column we use two SWFs: swift3d.swf, courtesy of www.swift3d.com, and opener.swf, courtesy of www.associatesinscience.com.

In this column you will learn:

• How to embed a Flash movie
• How to play a Flash movie
• How to jump to a certain frame
• How to check the loading and playing progress
• How to replace and superimpose a second movie
• How to zoom a movie
• How to pan a movie

You can download the Flash Player, the Flash Embedding JavaScript include file, the swift3d.swf SWF example, and the opener.swf SWF example. You can also find these files in one zipped file.

Next: How to embed a Flash movie