Add Flash Animation To Existing Web Page

Flash animation runs on your web page using two files -- an animation file with .swf file extension created in KoolMoves (File > Export Movie > Save as Flash Movie) and your web page which references through Javascript the .swf file. KoolMoves creates the Javascript for you and puts it in the correct place in your page web HTML using this screen. This is analogous to a .gif file and HTML code which references the .gif file.

Internet Explorer was altered in April 2006 because of the Eolas patent, resulting in a "Click to activate control" message when mousing over a Flash movie on a web page with a computer than runs XP SP2. A javascript fix developed by Adobe is included in the code provided by KoolMoves. This fix requires that a separate javascript file, called AC_RunActiveContent.js, be included in the same folder as the html file. This file can be found in the application's IE ActiveX Fix folder. The following link explains this issue in more detail: www.adobe.com/devnet/activecontent/articles/devletter.html.

1) First select the web page on your local disk. Press the open file icon.

If the SWF file and imported files like .flv, .mp3, and other .swf files are in a separate sub-directory from the HTML file, select the second radio choice and enter the relative path of the sub-directory, e.g., graphcis. The HTML file will be modified in 7 places -- the sub-directory path will be appended to the front of the SWF file name in 4 places and a base tag to indicate that all relative paths referenced in the swf are to be set to this sub-directory will be added in 3 places.

2) Next select a swf file from the same directory as your web page file. Use the check box to create a .swf file if you haven't already created one.

3) Select where you want the animation to appear on the web page -- to replace an existing image or to appear at the top. If you choose the first, use your web page editing software to add an image where you want the animation to appear.

4) Check if you want the animation to loop continuously.

5) Press the Test button on the right to view the animation on the web page. If you see an empty rectangle on the web page where the animation should be, it is likely that your web browser does not have the Flash plug-in. You can get plug-ins from browser web sites or from http://www.macromedia.com.

6) Press the Save As button to save the web page with the animation placed on it. It is best to select a different name for the web page. If you select the same name, a back up file is created for the unedited web page with the extension .bak.

7) Ftp the .swf, .htm/.html, and .js files to your web server. The .swf file is binary and the name should be spelled exactly as you have it on your local disk. Avoid spaces in the name because spaces are a problem for Netscape.

Definition of Terms

Ftp is shorthand for file tranfer protocol which is the method used to transfer files from your computer to internet file servers. There are many programs which are easy to use some of which are free which will perform this transfer. If you don't currently have a program to ftp files, there are many free ones to choose from at www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/network/fwftp.html.