AS3 preloading external swf won't reach 100% - actionscript-3

I have a flash interface file and I'm trying to load external swfs with a preloader. My problem is that the preloader never reaches 100% before trying to play the swf. The preloader will display, count up to a percentage and disappear. Then the swf just hangs for a few seconds on the first frame(some times over 10 seconds!) while it finishes loading. It does eventually start playing. The percentage the loader reaches is completely random. It might reach 40% one time and only 7% the next.
I'm loading the external swfs into an empty movieClip on stage called "visloader".
Here is my loader code:
loader= new SWFLoader("nameOfSlide.swf", {container:visloader, autoPlay:false, onProgress:progressHandler, onComplete:completeHandler});
loader.load();
And here are my progress and complete functions:
//--------------PROGRESS HANDLER----------------------------------------------------------------
function progressHandler(e:Event):void{
//set alpha of loading animation to 1 so it is visible
progClip.alpha = 1;
progClip.loadPct.text = "" + Math.floor((loader.bytesLoaded/loader.bytesTotal)*100) + "%";
}
//--------------COMPLETE HANDLER-----------------------------------------------------------------
function completeHandler(e:Event):void{
//hide the preloader animation
progClip.alpha = 0;
//myClip was created in the variables section above to hold the loaded swf
//must use 'rawContent' to get control over the swf (play/pause, etc...)
myClip = e.target.rawContent;
myClip.play();
}
"progClip" is a movieClip on stage with a spinning circle and a text field called "loadPct".
The external swfs being loaded are pretty large. Some over 5 MB. Not sure if that matters. I've used the exact same preloader for a different client with slightly smaller files and had no issues. I'm at a complete loss.
I don't think this has been asked before. I searched the forums and came up with nothing. Hopefully someone here will know what I'm talking about.
Thanks in advance!

If SWFLoader is firing the complete event too early, and you're can't see why by looking at the class itself, you could try checking - either in the progressHandler, with EnterFrame or a Timer - for when loader.bytesTotal == loader.bytesLoaded. When it does, remove relevant listeners and go from there.
Bit of a hack I know but if SWFLoader isn't working properly it's that, repair the class or get another library. I'm gonna have a look at it myself now, for the meantime hope this helps/works!

Related

Actionscript-3 looping issue--Adobe Animate CC

My employer decided they wanted me to start doing animation with Adobe's new "Animate CC" application. My issue is that I don't know how to loop my animation outside of the Adobe Animate environment. I am new to Adobe Animate CC and ActionScript, unfortunately, so I will probably need a relatively basic answer to understand why my solution isn't working. From what I can tell, my ActionScript code is being ignored by the IDE completely.
In the IDE and in the browser test command, the animation plays beyond frame 100, to the end, and then flashes a frame of white before repeating. I need it to loop without this white frame interrupting the screen, whether that be through a loop or some other means that I'm just not aware of.
For context: my project has about 100 layers of content and I'm unfamiliar with how this program works. I've thoroughly searched the web for tutorials on how to do what I need to do, but I've come up empty handed.
I have an actions layer among my motion tweens and other layers
https://gyazo.com/6e0b8502d98b6c9903bb96ac3a939bae
I've been trying to use gotoAndPlay(0) at frame 100 to start the animation over from the beginning.
https://gyazo.com/704ee7158bae6dfd149b6283cfa33451
Basically, how do I use Action-Script in Adobe Animate CC in order to infinitely loop my animation until closed?
Thanks everyone.
Your flicker may be a result of having an extra blank keyframe on one of your layers.
Assuming that you don't have any additional scripts to stop your animation (e.g. stop()), the Timeline should loop automatically whether your animation is inside a MovieClip or on the main Timeline. You shouldn't have to put any script on your timeline or in a separate AS file to make an animation loop. I would suggest this method.
Additionally, although you have the code specifying that you want it to go the first frame, it will ignore your call because the timeline is still playing and therefore the priority. One way you can combat this is by adding a stop(); function and a delay timer that contains your gotoAndPlay(0) function. This will take focus away from playing the Timeline and will allow you to execute your script. I wouldn't suggest this method because it seems a bit redundant.
However, if you're curious one way that you could approach this is shown below, simply add this script to the frame you want the animation to restart at.
//Stop the Timeline
stop();
//Create a delay timer for 5 miliseconds that is executed once
var timer:Timer = new Timer(5,1);
//Add an event listener that calls once the timer is complete
timer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER_COMPLETE, timerHandler);
//Start the timer
timer.start();
//Timer handler that is called once the delay timer is complete
function timerHandler(event:TimerEvent){
//Go to and play the first frame
gotoAndPlay(0);
}

How to ENTIRELY remove an flvplayback from stage when going to another flvplayback on another frame?

I'm trying to create an EXE projector using flash 5.5 AS3 where I have a few videos (FLVs) to show (their location is right next to the exe file in the same directory) - each load in a different frame, and all of those videos should also have a full screen option to them. Those are original videos that people WILL want to watch in full screen. It's essential for the experience...
The problem(s) I currently have (after fixing the sound that didn't stop after going to a different video) are hard to describe, but I'll try really hard.
Ok, so when I click the full screen button on a video and watch it in full screen, I will eventually want to exit the full screen, so I click on the same icon at the bottom to exit full screen (or ESC button, it's the same) and then click the navigation button to go to the SECOND FLV's frame to watch the other video. After watching the second video in full screen and then exiting full screen, flash takes me to the FIRST video's frame and that is a big problem. Also, now the button that takes me BACK to the second video's frame won't work. It's like flash is stuck.
I use the Components --> FLVPlayback 2.5 from the componant menu (I don't really know AS3 programming) and I fix its properties in the component parameters.
Also, I don't think that any of the followings are the reason for the bug, but I use these 3 scripts to stop all sound when navigating away from one frame (with an FLVplayback) to
another frame with another FLVplayback:
MyFLV.stop();
SoundMixer.stopAll();
MyFLV.addEventListener(Event.REMOVED_FROM_STAGE,xyz);
function xyz(e:Event):void{
MyFLV.stop();
}
I've found these online where people asked help for the sound bug I described.
The third script was suppose to remove the FLVplayback from the stage before going to another frame, but it works only when NOT GETTING INTO FULL SCREEN. I need something that will COMPLETELY remove the previous video from the stage so after exiting the SECOND viewed video, flash won't take me to a video that from some reason is still in its memory. I have something like 30 videos in my project and I need to remove each and every one of them off of the stage before navigating to the next frame to open a new FLVPlayback.
I tried to add a link to a demo I made with the problem so you can look at it, but it triggered a "oops, something went wrong" error, probably anti spam mechanism...
I would recommend using only one frame and only one flvplayback instance. Otherwise you have to deal with weird bugs like the one you are getting (usually caused by misplaced or forgotten code). Of course, using only one frame requires using more code, but with the number of hard-fixes it looks like you were making for the bugs, you may end up with less code.
Don't worry, I'll walk you through everything!
Reasons to use code (as opposed to multiple frames):
Easier to keep track of:
Know where all your code is so you can easily find and fix any problems.
Make changes more easily
You want to switch an existing video? edit a file reference and you are done.
Want to add a video? no more dragging a new flvplayback instance onto a new frame just add some very simple code and a button and you're done.
More customization
Reasons to use multiple frames (and multiple flvplayback instances):
easier to place visually
Some people find it easier when they have an actual movieclip that they can visually place on the stage
Less code
Here we go:
//import flv library
import fl.video.*;
This allows you to use ActionScript to manipulate the flv player
//video playback code-----------------------//
var myVideo:FLVPlayback = new FLVPlayback();
this creates an instance of FLVPlayback called myVideo (referenced from now on in the code as myVideo)
this next chunk shows many of the customizable features of the flv player. It is not necessary to include them.
//places the video player on stage at x,y
myVideo.x = 115;
myVideo.y = -10;
//uses SkinOverPlayFullscreen.swf for controls
myVideo.skin = "SkinOverPlayFullscreen.swf";
//color of controls
myVideo.skinBackgroundColor = 0x333333;
//hide controls and time it takes controls to fade and reappear (milliseconds)
myVideo.skinAutoHide=true;
myVideo.skinFadeTime=300;
//add the player to the stage
addChild(myVideo);
And now comes the important part. I have made buttons and added them to the stage. I gave each of the buttons a different instance name (box1_btn, box2_btn, and box3_btn). When someone clicks on a button, an "event" will occur.
//button listener code-------------------------//
//when button 1 is clicked throw button 1 event
box1_btn.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, clicked1);
//when button 2 is clicked throw button 2 event
box2_btn.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, clicked2);
//when button 3 is clicked throw button 3 event
box3_btn.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, clicked3);
//play different videos for different buttons---------//
//when button 1 event is thrown
function clicked1($e:MouseEvent):void
{
//play video 1.flv
myVideo.source = "1.flv";
}
//when button 2 event is thrown
function clicked2($e:MouseEvent):void
{
//play video 2.flv
myVideo.source = "2.flv";
}
//when button 3 event is thrown
function clicked3($e:MouseEvent):void
{
//play video 3.flv
myVideo.source = "3.flv";
}
This code will not have any sounds that keep playing because two videos cannot play at the same time in one instance of the player. Nor will it have any mess-ups when you come out of fullscreen because there is only one frame for the video to go back to.
Some possible problems you may run into:
It doesn't work at all:
Make sure you have added an instance of FLVPlayback to the library by adding an instance to the stage from the components menu (window>>components or ctrl+F7) and then deleting it from the stage (it should still appear in the library).
The playback buttons I want aren't showing up:
There is a great explanation of how to use As3 to manipulate FLVPlayback here:
http://www.republicofcode.com/tutorials/flash/as3flvplayback/
find the section about "Applying a Skin to the FLVPlayback Component" and follow it to use an adobe playback skin. If you want to make your own unique skin I would recommend opening and editing one of the pre-made skins. I found mine in
C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Flash CS6\Common\Configuration\FLVPlayback Skins\FLA\ActionScript 3.0
I hope this helps!
Below would be simplest way to unload the FLVPlayback
removeChild(MyFLV);
it works fine for me
flvPlayBack.stop();
removeChild(flvPlayBack);
stops the sound and removes the playback.

Loading SWF in AS3 but flash keeps repeating constructor function, what should I do?

I am importing several external files using the Loader-class, and one of them is an swf-file. When doing so (I had done it successfully before, so did not expect any issues), I ran into all sorts of errors, and finally Flash crashed.
I put down a trace in the constructor function, and it didn't trace just once, but kept on tracing, suggesting that the constructor was stuck on loop. I guess the loading of too many of the same swf is what causes flash to eventually crash.
Here is my code (the swf im loading is now a simple test-file which contains an image and no code):
private var slides:Loader = new Loader();
public function DocumentClass()
{
trace(1)
slides.load(new URLRequest("Resources/Slides.swf"));
slides.contentLoaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, SlidesComplete);
}
public function SlidesComplete(evt:Event):void
{
slides.contentLoaderInfo.removeEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, SlidesComplete);
addChild(slides);
}
This traces "11111111111..." and everything dies in the end.
HELP!
Try putting a stop() action at the top of the swf you load in (either in actionscript, or on the timeline). It's possible that the swf is being loaded in and is running a play and running on loop in the mean time (hence your code running over and over).
I would do a progress watch until the swf is fully loaded, then jump to your display frame:
Create a section for loading (your choice if you want to use a preloader)
Create another section (set of keyframes) for loaded content. I use keyframes because it's easy, but you could also wait to instantiate classes until loading is complete.
Below is a snippet I occasional build from:
// stop the playhead from moving ahead
stop(); // you can also use gotoAndStop("loading"); if you want
function loaderProgressHandler(event:Event):void {
// switch the framehead to main which will show your content
if(event.bytesLoaded >= event.bytesTotal) {
event.target.removeEventListener(Event.PROGRESS, this.loaderProgressHandler);
this.gotoAndStop("main");
}
}
this.loaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.PROGRESS, this.loaderProgressHandler);
Hope that helps!
I was just stuck on this same problem.
In my case it turned out that the problem was down to the swf having the same document class name as the swf that was loading it.
eg. Main.as was loading another swf that also had its document class called Main.as - Changing this to anything else solved the infinite loop.

As3 Preloader (Blank until 100%)

I have an FLA file with two frames. On the first frame I have nothing but a textfield and some code to do the preloading. After it is done preloading it does gotoAndStop(2)
On frame 1 I have:
stop();
stage.scaleMode = StageScaleMode.SHOW_ALL;
//Import the required assets
import flash.display.*;
//Stop the playhead while loading occurs
this.stop();
//Create a listener to call the loading function as the movie loads;
this.loaderInfo.addEventListener(ProgressEvent.PROGRESS, PL_LOADING);
this.loaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, PL_FINISH);
function PL_LOADING(event:ProgressEvent):void
{
var pcent:Number = event.bytesLoaded / event.bytesTotal * 100;
//Display the % loaded in textfield
txt.text = int(pcent) + "%";
//If the movie is fully loaded, kick to the next frame on the main timeline
}
function PL_FINISH(event:Event):void
{
removeChild(txt);
gotoAndStop(2);
}
On frame 2 I have nothing except:
var game:Game = new Game();
addChild(game);
In my publisher settings I have export to frame 2.
My problem is that the preloader won't display until 100%. Does anyone know why?
P.S. For testing I put a large image file on the stage in frame 2 and the result is the same.
This normally happens if you haven't deselected "Export in frame 1" in each of the library symbols that you are exporting for ActionScript.
You'll need to make sure that you create reference to these objects (so that ActionScript can access them) by placing them onto the stage in frame 2 (out of sight).
What's happening is that all of the symbols are being loaded before the preloader itself has loaded.
If this isn't the issue, then please provide some code so I can better assess your issue.
Have you tried putting something static on frame one? Just because there is a preloader, that doesn't mean that your swf will be displaying at all...
I know that I had one swf once which simply took a minute to actually get the Flex preloader to even show up because of network latency. It could be that your swf isn't displaying until 90% of it has already loaded.
I´m dealing with similar problems, and there is something i found out: my antivirus contains a kind of "browser protection" feature, which sort of checks all files in advance before it allows the browser to actually display them. If this antivirus feature has not been installed on the system, the preloader works beautifully. I´ve checked some other web-sites with flash content, and they also behave "wrong" under these circumstances. Now, some people seem to have found a way to stop the antivirus from messing around, but i don´t know how they do it... not yet...

AS3 preloader sorrows, unable to load symbols from library

I created an AS3 preloader, and placed the code for that on frame one.
I then made a symbol, and placed it in the library. It was set to NOT export on frame 1, and the fla's settings had all classes exported on frame two. There were no references to the object until frame two.
Then, flash crashed whenever I compiled without the "Export in frame one" box checked.
To fix this, a friend suggested I start my game logic on frame 3, so it will have properly loaded frame 2. That seemed to work fine, the class was instantiating properly.
Then, it turned out that it was not loading the movieclip, only instantiating the class. Again, this could be fixed by exporting in frame 1, but I really cannot afford to do that.
The same friend suggested I place an instance of the symbol on the stage on frame 3, and perform game logic on frame 4. They said this would initialize the movieclip properly.
However, this was not the case. How can I load the entire symbol, graphics and all, without exporting to frame 1? This single symbol will contain probably 10-20 MB of graphics, so it needs to be preloaded.
Thanks for the help!
EDIT: To make a long story short, all I need is some way to load a movieclip so it can be used and visible and everything.
EDIT: Is there any way to force-load a movieclip via AS3?
Hard to figure out from descriptions.
If you make a new .fla file, paste your large(10-20MB) clip on frame 2,
set your export frame as 2, then try to preload from frame 1 and access the large clip's content in frame 2, do you get the same error ?
say you have this in frame 1:
stop();
this.loaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, onComplete);
function onComplete(event:Event):void{
gotoAndStop(2);
}
and in frame 2:
trace(myLargeClip);//where myLargeClip would be your 10-20MB clip
It should be ok, otherwise, in case tracing your large clip returns null, you might want to try to invalidate the stage:
on frame 2:
stage.addEventListener(Event.RENDER,onRender);
stage.invalidate();
function onRender(event:Event):void{
trace(myLargeClip);
}
Basically what I'm suggesting is:
Isolate the problem. See if your large clip is causing problems in a similar, but simplified scenario and why, then once you got a fix use it in your main fla.
Try the stage invalidation, although, since I don't fully understand your setup, it's just a wild guess.
HTH,
George