[Typo3-dev] Flash Front-End for Typo3

[Radu Cocieru]

Hi Richard				

> If you want to do the data exchange with XML look at the extension "XML
> Content Rendering"
> (http://typo3.org/extensions/repository/search/xml_contentrendering/).
> Its still a proof of concept, but I think it is the way to go.

I had a look, but the problem I have is that some sort of TS data will have to be send with this sistem not just content because after first Load the Flash Api will be responsable with all layout and rearange/create_new/remove the content.

> Using AMFPHP also would be nice, since it is a more OOP approach and the
> project is quite active again.

Agree but an XML suport is also required ... just in case 

> Will that API just take care of the data exchange between Typo3 and
> Flash (get content, handle users, access schemes) or will it also
> contain code to display it in Flash? I'd prefer a clean flexible API
> which only gets the data into Flash and vice versa.

Yes, Flash API will take kare only of server communication  "(get content, handle users, access schemes)" and instantiate Flash Components used to display content, provide an event passing system. The API will not handle how to display information.

> Why would you create a "FLASH_PANEL" type? We could also just manage
> movieclips with all their properties and frames in Typo3.

FLASH_PANEL is a component that can uoutput a MOVIECLIP. The reason I'd use a component is that of allign, scroll, resize, hide / show gadgets so a FLASH_PANEL will provide basic functionalities to handle those and it is a nice way to group objects that a part of the same logical zone HEADER for Ex. Basicly it is a container ... inspired by Java.
And because FLASH_PANEL extends MOVIECLIP all the propreiteies of a MOVIECLIP will also be available for FLASH_PAEL.

> #here we could also apply transition information to the movieclip
> MainPanel.startTransition = FLASH_TRANSITION
> MainPanel.startTransition._alpha.begin = 0
> MainPanel.startTransition._alpha.end = 80
> MainPanel.startTransition._alpha.animType = easeInOut
> MainPanel.startTransition._alpha.duration = 500 #ms

This is a nice Idea :)

> MainPanel.frames = FLASH_TIMELINE #COA of FLASH_FRAME records
> MainPanel.frames{
> 1.label = framelabel
> 1.framescript = AS Code to be included
> 1.content = COA
> 1.content.1 = TEXT
> 1.content.1.data.field = title
> ...
> }

This one is at STEP 2 of my project as I think it is important to capture people's attention first and then reveal/develop some hidden gadgets... after they are used with the main functions.
 
> MOVIECLIP could be a page type so you could build your Flash structure
> in the page tree.

Could this be useful ? I see how it can be useful in creating a sort of SlideShows, but the same thing can be done with normal pages... Do you have an example it might help me understand the usefulnes ;-)

> Did you already think of using Ming(http://ming.sourceforge.net/) for
> the dynamic generation of .swf files. A possibility would be to have an
> Action-Script Editor in Typo3 and then compile the finished AS into a
> .swf. That way you could manage your AS classes on the server. Also you
> could generate Content .swfs on the fly.

Yes, Ming is for the STEP 2 as this will call for a very good planing on how do create .SFW's on the fly.

> What are your ideas regarding text transformation to Flash, as Flash
> only understands HTML 1 and a little CSS. Will you create a Flash RTE
> configuration or will you write funtions to strip the code.

I think a HTML source code conversion to smth FLASH understands better is more suitable, as who knows maybe flashPlayer 8 will suport full HTML and CSS and I'll comment out the transform function :)

Thank you for your ideas. I will keep the list updated.

Radu