image fader

[pinbrook]

I've been asked to present 3 images on brochure index page, the idea being the 3 images slowly fade in and out and replace each other.

Whilst I'm not convinced this is a good decision, nonetheless I have to present something for the client to see - and hopefully dismiss. :)

Each image needs to be high res, ie its a sumptuous product image (think M&S adverts) 400px square.

Whats the best method of displaying these images?

[leehack]

Flash is your only option for a quality transition.

[jont]

Whilst I own Flash I also use SWISH for creating very simple transition effects for images (its text effects are shockingly retro) as it outputs to SWF

[pinbrook]

aren't there problems integrating flash within actinic?

[jont]

Not with your Actinic / HTML knowledge.

[pinbrook]

LOL, better go and work it out then hadn't i?

[jont]

.. no pressure at all :)

[leehack]

DW 8.02 does it all as is needed for actinic.

[pinbrook]

hah... 7.0.1

[leehack]

It's still pretty easy, main issue is embedding it correctly (forum has the correct info on this now) and the activation of the flash so that it starts and doesn't need to be activated by the user. If activation becomes a problem then Javascript can do it for you.

[Duncan Rounding]

This has worked fine for me in a fragment:

<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="140" height="140" >
<param name="movie" value="http://www.mydomain.co.uk/acatalog/myflashfile.swf">
<param name="quality" value="high">
<embed src="http://www.mydomain.co.uk/acatalog/myflashfile.swf" width="140" height="140" align="top" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>

[ackerman]

I used to use a Java-applet called (funnily enough) "Imagefader" by Anibal Wainstein.
It is freeware and can be used commercially. It worked quite well and maybe worth trying.

Brian

[AndrewPK]

the activation of the flash so that it starts and doesn't need to be activated by the user.

I was under the impression that the Flash bits only needed activation if they had control elements (like a video player for example) the 'image fader' would not need user input so shouldn't require activation,

Of course i could be totally wrong there!

[leehack]

You're right as far as i know Andrew, it was more of an 'all bases' covered answer, which was why i said IF there is a problem, then Javascript now solves it. I have no idea what the file is or how it is going to work, so more of a generic answer than a specific.

[Mark H]

Best to use SWFObject (Google "swfobject" and go to Adobe site - Adobe now own Flash) to embed Flash these days, or you will get the thick grey border round Flash objects whether they need activating or not - and if they do need activating (ie click to link to something else) you will need to click twice.