Adding Preloader to Forms.

[AK]

I have done quite a bit of prototyping with forms, such as defining class for each of the individual forms in an applications 'A', now my problem is where to add the pre-loader, since one cannot view the root. here's a basic architecture"

--applications
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|
---frmX
|
|
---frmY

the application uses class 'application.as' which controls the navigation control and base layout. frmX is the data layer, and frmY is the first page of the application. I have tried attaching preloaders in reference to root, but that does not seem to work. Any hints please.

[fh]

Hi
Here some comments.
You have to think differently about your forms. They are like static movieclips in Flash and therefore you should not preload them. They are ready to use when you load Flash.

If you have many forms inside, this can be a problem because of the extra kb. I believe there is only one solution to this part. Create a new empty _root-Flash-movie and use your preloader component to load the form-flash-movie into Flash.

Regarding the data/content/graphic etc. on the forms, this should be external flash movies, so you can load these dynamically into the forms - again using preloaders - when needed. Why load 500K if the user will never use more than 20k.

Also remember that Flash automatically loads forms until the first hierarchy is ended. So make the first hierarchy small.

You can see a standard preloader I created in the technical area. This is very easy to put into your project.

fh

[AK]

Hi michael,

many thanks for your input. The application i am building is quite extensive, an it made sense to use the form metaphor. If loading that into another empty movie is the only option, then i don't think it will make it a sound architecture, since the forms already load movie, data, and images on runtime.

Your input makes it a lot clear. many thanks

-abdullah