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About testing movies to avoid problems

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ADOBE DIRECTOR 11.0 434 User Guide Naming sprites makes changes to your script even easier. For example, the following script refers to a sprite by its number: sprite (1).text Instead, use the following script: sprite("input").member.text When you use the marker name to refer to a frame, you can move the marker without breaking the script. The following script refers to a frame by its number: _movie.go(27) It is better to add a marker to the frame and use the marker name, as in the following script: _movie.go("Main_menu") • During work sessions, save your movie file often. Save a copy of the movie after each milestone, such as a day of work or after adding a significant new feature or section. This way, if problems arise, you can easily compare the current version of the file to a slightly older version to locate the source of the problem. Keep several copies of your file at different stages of development in case you need to go back several steps. About testing movies to avoid problems While you develop movies, you might encounter some difficulties because creating interesting movies and trying out new ideas always involves some experimentation. By testing your movies according to the simple guidelines described in this section, you can prevent problems from becoming obstacles: • If the main.dir file is linked to a miaw.dir file, upgrade both the files to Director 11 before playing the movie. • Test early in development to help ensure that you discover any problems while they are still minor. Waiting to test lets small problems become larger ones as you add features to your movie that depend on problematic functionality that was implemented earlier. • Test often during development. Test the functionality of each small part of your movie as you add it rather than waiting until the movie's whole feature set is implemented. This way, you know that the most recently implemented feature is the most likely source of a problem. If you wait to test one feature until after the next feature is implemented and one of those features exhibits a problem, you have a more complex set of possibilities to evaluate. • Test on all target platforms. Decide what the minimum system requirements are for the computers used by your audience. Verify the performance of your movie on the slowest processor that is acceptable. Determine the range of configurations you have to support (such as Mac® OS, Windows® 2000, and Windows XP), and test enough of them to ensure success. Be sure to include parameters such as browser software, screen resolution, and available memory in your testing. This approach helps you find problems that are specific to an operating system or configuration, which are distinct from authoring errors. Testing strategies Use the following to test your movies effectively: • Testing in the Director authoring environment is different from testing in the Director Projector and Shockwave® Player environments for online content. The Preview In Browser command demonstrates the true behavior of the movie in the Shockwave environment.

Section	Page
Contents	4
Chapter 1: Getting started	12
Installation	12
Adobe Help	13
Resources	14
What's new	16
Chapter 2: Workspace	18
User Interface enhancements	18
Understanding the Director metaphor	19
Navigating the Director workspace	20
Getting to know the workspace	20
Getting to know window types	22
Using the Stage	22
Using the Score	24
Using the Control panel	27
Using the Cast window	28
Using the Property inspector	30
Using the Script window	32
Using the Message window	33
Customizing your workspace	34
Working with Xtra extensions	39
Connecting to the Internet	41
Chapter 3: Score, Stage, and Cast	43
Using the Tool palette with the Stage	43
Setting Stage properties	43
Using multiple Score windows	44
Changing Score settings	45
Selecting, editing, and adding frames in the Score	45
About cast members	46
Using the Cast window	57
Using Cast List view	64
Using Cast Thumbnail view	65
Launching external editors	67
Managing external casts	68
Creating libraries	69
Setting cast member properties by using Lingo or JavaScript syntax	70
Setting Xtra cast member properties	70
Chapter 4: Sprites	72
Creating sprites	72
Setting sprite general preferences	72
Selecting sprites	73
Naming sprites	75
Finding sprites	77
Creating sprite channel names	78
Layering sprites	78
Displaying and editing sprite properties	79
Locking and unlocking sprites	83
Positioning sprites	84
Controlling the entrance of a sprite on the stage	88
Controlling the duration of a sprite on the stage	89
Splitting and joining sprites	89
Changing the appearance of sprites	90
Using sprite inks	95
Assigning a cast member to a sprite with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	98
Exchanging cast members	99
Chapter 5: Animation	100
About tweening in Director	100
Tweening the path of a sprite	101
Accelerating and decelerating sprites	102
Tweening other sprite properties	102
Suggestions and shortcuts for tweening	103
Changing tweening settings	104
Switching a sprite’s cast members	105
Editing sprite frames	105
Frame-by-frame animation	106
Shortcuts for animating with multiple cast members	107
Using film loops	109
Setting film loop properties	110
Step-recording animation	111
Real-time recording animation	112
Linking a sequence with Paste Relative	112
Animating sprites with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	113
Chapter 6: Bitmaps	114
About importing bitmaps	115
Using animated GIFs	115
Using the Paint window	116
Changing selected areas of a bitmap	124
Flipping, rotating, and applying effects to bitmaps	124
Using Auto Distort	126
Changing registration points	127
Changing size, color depth, and color palette for bitmaps	128
Controlling bitmap images with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	129
Using gradients	131
Using patterns	134
Creating a custom tile	135
Using Paint window inks	135
Using onion skinning	138
About the Paste As PICT option	140
Setting and changing bitmap cast member properties	140
Setting and changing PICT cast member properties	141
Setting Paint window preferences	141
Compressing bitmaps	142
Working with Adobe Fireworks	143
Bitmap filters	146
Chapter 7: Vector Shapes	161
Drawing vector shapes	161
Editing vector shapes	165
Defining gradients for vector shapes	166
Controlling vector shapes with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	167
Setting vector shape properties	168
Using shapes	168
Setting shape cast member properties	169
Chapter 8: Color, Tempo, and Transitions	170
Controlling color	170
Setting palette cast member properties	179
About tempo	180
Using transitions	182
Chapter 9: Text	186
Embedding fonts in movies	186
Creating text cast members	187
Editing and formatting text	189
Creating a hypertext link	193
Working with fields	193
Using editable text	194
Converting text to a bitmap	194
Mapping fonts between platforms for field cast members	195
Setting text or field cast member properties	196
Formatting chunks of text with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	198
Formatting text or field cast members with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	199
Controlling scrolling text with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	200
Checking for specific text with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	201
Modifying strings with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	201
Unicode support in Director	201
Chapter 10: Using Flash, Flash Components, and Other Interactive Media Types	204
Using Flash Content	204
Adding a Flash content cast member	205
Editing a Flash cast member	207
Controlling Flash content with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	208
Controlling Flash content appearance with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	208
Streaming Flash content with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	210
Playback Flash content with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	210
Using Lingo or JavaScript syntax with Flash variables	211
Sending messages from Flash content using getURL	212
Sending XML Data from Flash to Director	215
Using Flash objects in script	215
Using the Flash local connection object	217
Using Flash Media Server	220
Using the Flash Settings panel	221
Playback performance tips for Flash content	222
Using Director movies within Director movies	223
Setting linked Director movie properties	224
Using ActiveX controls	225
Using Flash components	227
Button component	230
CheckBox component	231
DateChooser component	232
Label component	234
List component	235
NumericStepper component	238
RadioButton component	239
ScrollPane component	241
TextArea component	243
TextInput component	244
Tree component	246
Chapter 11: Sound and Synchronization	250
Importing internal and linked sounds	250
Setting sound cast member properties	251
Controlling sound in the Score	251
Looping a sound	252
Using sound in Windows	252
Playing sounds with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	253
About Shockwave Audio	254
Compressing internal sounds with Shockwave Audio	255
Streaming linked Shockwave Audio and MP3 audio files	256
Playing audio with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	257
Synchronizing media	258
Synchronizing sound with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	259
Accessibility	259
Chapter 12: Using Digital Video	260
Importing digital video formats	260
Using the video windows	261
Playing digital video Direct To Stage	261
Controlling digital video in the Score	262
Playing digital video with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	263
Setting QuickTime digital video cast member properties	264
Controlling QuickTime with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	265
Using Windows Media files in Director	267
Using DVD media content in Director	269
Cropping digital video	272
Using digital video on the Internet	273
Synchronizing video and animation	273
Using RealMedia content in Director	274
Using Lingo or JavaScript syntax sound elements with RealMedia	284
Chapter 13: Behaviors	286
Attaching behaviors	286
Changing the order of attached behaviors	288
Getting information about behaviors	289
Creating and modifying behaviors	289
Writing behaviors with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	292
Setting up a Parameters dialog box	292
Setting behavior properties with script	293
Customizing a behavior’s property	293
Creating an on getPropertyDescriptionList handler	294
Including a description for the Behavior inspector	295
Example of a complete behavior	295
Sending messages to behaviors attached to sprites	297
Using inheritance in behaviors	299
Chapter 14: Navigation and User Interaction	300
Creating basic navigation controls with behaviors	300
Adding push buttons, radio buttons, and check boxes	301
Jumping to locations with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	301
Detecting mouse clicks with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	303
Making sprites editable and draggable	303
Making sprites editable or moveable with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	304
Checking which text is under the pointer with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	305
Responding to rollovers with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	305
Finding mouse pointer locations with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	306
Checking keys with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	306
Equivalent cross-platform keys	306
Identifying keys on different keyboards	307
About animated color cursors	307
Creating an animated color cursor cast member	308
Using an animated color cursor in a movie	309
Chapter 15: 3D Basics	311
What you need to know	311
About 3D in Director	311
The 3D Xtra extension	313
Using the Shockwave 3D window	313
Using the Property inspector for 3D	314
Using rendering methods	316
Using 3D anti-aliasing	317
3D behaviors	318
3D text	319
The 3D world	319
Chapter 16: The 3D Cast Member, 3D Text, and 3D Behaviors	322
3D cast members	322
Model resources	323
Models	324
Shaders	325
Textures	326
Motions	327
Lights	328
Cameras	329
Groups	329
Creating 3D text	330
Modifying 3D text	330
Script and 3D text	332
Using 3D behaviors	334
Chapter 17: Working with Models and Model Resources	340
About models and model resources	340
Model resources	340
Primitives	341
Cast member methods	348
Models	350
Shaders	355
Textures	362
Groups	365
Modifiers	367
Animation modifiers	372
Motions	381
About lights and cameras	381
Light properties	382
Light methods	383
Cameras	385
Chapter 18: Controlling the 3D World	390
3D Lingo or JavaScript syntax events	390
Collisions	391
Vector math	393
Transforms	395
Rendering functionality	398
Chapter 19: Movies in a Window	405
About MIAWs	405
Creating or declaring a MIAW	406
Opening and closing a MIAW	406
Setting the window size and location for a MIAW	407
Controlling the appearance of a MIAW	408
Controlling MIAW layering	411
MIAW events	411
Listing the current MIAWs	412
Controlling interaction between MIAWs	412
Chapter 20: Using Xtras	413
Using the XML Parser Xtra	413
Using the MUI Xtra	419
Using the Physics (Dynamiks) Xtra	429
Chapter 21: Making Director Movies Accessible	433
Using the Accessibility Behavior library	433
Accessibility scripting with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	438
Deploying accessible movies	439
Chapter 22: Managing Memory	441
How Director unloads items from memory	441
Loading and unloading individual cast members	442
Preloading digital video	443
Chapter 23: Managing and Testing Director Projects	444
Managing Director projects	444
About testing movies to avoid problems	445
Printing movies	446
Resources	447
Chapter 24: Packaging Movies for Distribution	448
About distributing movies	448
Shockwave player browser compatibility	449
Using the lingo.ini file to run startup scripts	449
Previewing a movie in a browser	449
About Xtra extensions	450
Managing Xtra extensions for distributed movies	451
About Distribution formats	452
Creating Shockwave content	453
Using default Publish settings	453
Changing Publish settings	454
Using dswmedia folders and the support folder to publish Shockwave content	461
Using linked media when testing Shockwave content	461
Converting movies created in previous versions of Director	462
About projectors	464
Creating projectors	464
About cross-platform projectors	467
Processing movies with Update Movies	467
Exporting digital video and frame-by-frame bitmaps	468
Setting QuickTime export options	470
About organizing movie files	471
Chapter 25: Using Shockwave Player	473
Streaming movies	473
About network operations	474
Setting movie playback options	474
Setting Shockwave playback options	475
About creating multiuser applications	476
About streaming with the Score and behaviors	476
Checking whether media elements are loaded with Lingo or Java Script syntax	477
Downloading files from the Internet with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	478
Retrieving network operation results with Lingo or JavaScript syntax	480
Using Lingo or JavaScript syntax in different Internet environments	480
Testing your movie	482
About downloading speed	483
Index	484
Numerics	484
3D behaviors	484
about 323	484
action 325	484
applying 327	484
groups 328	484
library 323	484
triggers 324	484
types 323	484
3D Extruder tab (Property inspector) 320	484
3D Model tab, Property inspector 303	484
3D properties 21	484
3D text 319	484
3D vectors 382	484
3D window, Shockwave 302	484
3D world	484
boxes 325	484
collision properties and commands 380	484
defined 308	484
event handling 379	484
objects 311	484
3D Xtra 302	484
A	484
accelerating sprites 91	484
accessibility	484
captioning 426	484
features 422	484
keyboard navigation 422	484
scripting 427	484
text-to-speech 425	484
action behaviors	484
defined 323	484
independent 326	484
local 325	484
public 326	484
viewing 324	484
ActionScript instructions 201	484
ActiveX 214	484
Add Inks command 87	484
Adjust Color filter 140	484
Airbrush tool, Paint window 107, 111	484
Align window 74, 76	484
alternate image options 449	484
ancestor scripts 287	484
Animate In Background projector option 454	484
animated GIFs 104	484
animation	484
Auto Filter bitmap effects 148	484
Cast To Time command 96	484
complex model 309	484
cursor colors 296	484
defined 89	484
film loops 98	484
frame-by-frame 95	484
modifiers 361	484
motions 311, 361	484
onion skinning 127	484
Paste Relative command 101	484
playing 325	484
real-time recording 101	484
Root Lock button 303	484
scripting with Lingo or JavaScript 102	484
Space To Time command 97	484
step recording 100	484
transitions 171	484
anti-aliasing	484
3D cast members 306	484
Flash movies 211	484
setting with Lingo or JavaScript 188	484
text 181	484
toon modifier 326	484
appearance properties, MIAWs (movie in a window) 397	484
Apply	484
Filter 136	484
arranging sprites 67	484
ASCII values, keys 296	484
attaching behaviors 275	484
attributes, XML 406	484
audio. See sound	484
Auto Distort command 115	484
Auto Filter command 148	484
automatically adjusting line spacing 180	484
AVI files 458	484
axis	484
Camera Rotate tool 302	484
colors 326	484
model movement 343	484
B	484
background color 83	484
background operations 463	484
Background Transparent ink 86	484
backward compatibility 451	484
Beep action 280	484
Behavior channel 13	484
behaviors	484
accessibility 422	484
actions 279	484
attaching 275	484
creating or modifying 278	484
defined 275	484
descriptions, creating 284	484
example 284	484
handlers 281	484
inheritance 287, 288	484
jumping 466	484
library 301	484
looping 465	484
navigation controls 289	484
order, changing 277	484
parameters, changing 277	484
parameters, customizing 281	484
properties, setting 282	484
sending messages to sprites 286	484
streaming 465	484
viewing descriptions 278	484
writing with Lingo or JavaScript 281	484
behaviors, 3D	484
about 323	484
action 325	484
applying 327	484
groups 328	484
library 323	484
triggers 324	484
types 323	485
behaviors, definition of 22	485
Bevel filter 139	485
bevel, 3D text 320	485
binary operations, vectors 383	485
bitmaps	485
animated GIFs 104	485
Auto Filter command 148	485
cast member properties 129	485
color depth 117	485
color effects 114	485
compression 131	485
controlling with script 118	485
creating 103	485
cursor colors, animating 296	485
defined 103	485
distorting 115	485
exporting frames as 457	485
filters 135	485
flipping 114	485
fonts 175	485
gradients 120	485
image options 45	485
importing 104	485
inks 124	485
moving selected areas 113	485
onion skinning 127	485
Paint window 105	485
PICT files, importing 43	485
registration points 116	485
resizing 103, 117	485
resolution 104	485
rotating 114	485
text, converting 183, 186	485
texture 320	485
tiling 124	485
Transform command 117	485
troubleshooting colors 167	485
tweenable filters 148	485
Blend ink 87	485
blending sprites 83, 198	485
Blur Filter 137	485
bold text 178	485
Bones player	485
events 365	485
methods 362	485
modifiers 361	485
motions 370	485
properties 363	485
boxes	485
creating 325	485
properties 331	485
boxes, text 188	485
brightness, changing 166	485
browsers	485

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ADOBE DIRECTOR 11.0

User Guide

434

Naming sprites makes changes to your script even easier. For example, the following script refers to a sprite by

its number:

sprite (1).text

Instead, use the following script:

sprite("input").member.text

When you use the marker name to refer to a frame, you can move the marker without breaking the script.

The following script refers to a frame by its number:

_movie.go(27)

It is better to add a marker to the frame and use the marker name, as in the following script:

_movie.go("Main_menu")

•

During work sessions, save your movie file often. Save a copy of the movie after each milestone, such as a day of

work or after adding a significant new feature or section. This way, if problems arise, you can easily compare the

current version of the file to a slightly older version to locate the source of the problem. Keep several copies of your

file at different stages of development in case you need to go back several steps.

About testing movies to avoid problems

While you develop movies, you might encounter some difficulties because creating interesting movies and trying out

new ideas always involves some experimentation. By testing your movies according to the simple guidelines

described in this section, you can prevent problems from becoming obstacles:

•

If the main.dir file is linked to a miaw.dir file, upgrade both the files to Director 11 before playing the movie.

•

Test early in development to help ensure that you discover any problems while they are still minor. Waiting to

test lets small problems become larger ones as you add features to your movie that depend on problematic function-

ality that was implemented earlier.

•

Test often during development. Test the functionality of each small part of your movie as you add it rather than

waiting until the movie’s whole feature set is implemented. This way, you know that the most recently implemented

feature is the most likely source of a problem. If you wait to test one feature until after the next feature is implemented

and one of those features exhibits a problem, you have a more complex set of possibilities to evaluate.

•

Test on all target platforms. Decide what the minimum system requirements are for the computers used by your

audience. Verify the performance of your movie on the slowest processor that is acceptable. Determine the range of

configurations you have to support (such as Mac® OS, Windows® 2000, and Windows XP), and test enough of them

to ensure success. Be sure to include parameters such as browser software, screen resolution, and available memory

in your testing. This approach helps you find problems that are specific to an operating system or configuration,

which are distinct from authoring errors.

Testing strategies

Use the following to test your movies effectively:

•

Testing in the Director authoring environment is different from testing in the Director Projector and

Shockwave

Player environments for online content. The Preview In Browser command demonstrates the true

behavior of the movie in the Shockwave environment.