Step 5: Output - Flash
Overview:

Choose either Java or Flash output here. Check the advanced options for enhanced features such as Flash compression and floating layers. Simply paste the Generated HTML code into your web page and copy the content of the Build Folder to your server.

Building a Flash file :

This is where you decide how and where to build the Flash ".swf" file.

Getting your Flash file up and running on the Internet is easy. Just follow these simple steps:

  1. Enter the folder where you want to build the Flash file.

  2. Press the Build Menu button.

  3. Upload the HTML and swf file (i.e. projectname.swf) from the Build Folder to your web server.
Advanced Options :


Set visible status in Javascript:
When checked, this creates the JavaScript required to set the initial visible state of a button in a *.swf file - this is useful when using the same Flash file on several HTML pages or in a frameset as in the case of a navigation scheme. See also Interfacing with JavaScript

Set checked status in Javascript:
When checked, this creates the JavaScript required to set the initial checked state (for check-box and radio button styles only) of a button in a swf file - this is useful when using the same Flash file on several HTML pages or in a frameset as in the case of a navigation scheme. See also Interfacing with JavaScript

Frame Rate:
(low, medium and high)
The frame rate specifies how fast frames are displayed. Low gives a more jerky effect whereas high gives a smoother effect but will make the animation seem to take longer on slower machines.

Put the menu in its own floating layer:
When check this will create the HTML code required to display the flash file in its own floating layer. When combined with a transparent background this can create a fantastic effect. The menu will appear to display over the top of your HTML contents and follow the user as they scroll down the page.
Note: Floating layers are only support by Internet Explorer. Other browsers will display the menu but it will not follow the user as they scroll down the page.

Compress the Flash file:
Flash will compress significantly - by up to 95% in some cases. Only users with version 6.0 of the Flash player will be able to view compressed Flash files.
Test in Selected browser:

Runs the finished Flash file in your default browser. The Test in selected browser button rebuilds the Flash file before running it.

Note: You should close the browser after testing the Flash file because some browsers cache the Flash file in memory. This means that the next time you test the Flash file it will appear not to have changed. Shift-Reload on Netscape Navigator 3 (or later) will force the Flash file to be reloaded. Control-Refresh on Internet Explorer 4 (or later) will force the Flash file to be reloaded.

Build Menu:

Copies all the files necessary for running the flash file into the Build Folder, including:

projectname.bak Backup of the project file - by keeping this on the live server many people have been saved a rebuild when their PC fails.
projectname.html The HTML page used when you click Test in Browser - only displays the Flash file
projectname.swf The Flash file - it contains all the images, sounds and animation shown in your project.

All you need to do is upload the contents of the Build Folder to your web server. Nothing further is necessary for the Flash file to run.

Note: Be aware that Flash files made with the trial version of 1 Cool Menu FX Tool will display a large UNREGISTERED message when they are run over the Internet.

Generated HTML Code:

This is the HTML code acts as a 'pointer' to the flash file. The HTML will also contain any Javascript code required to support floating layers or the ability to set button visibility or checked state (if these options are checked in the advanced dialog).

The Build Folder:

This specifies the folder on your local hard drive where the Flash file will be built. This folder is known as the Build Folder. It defaults to a folder with the same name as your project located in the _MenuFX_Output folder which is located in the 1 Cool Menu FX Tool folder.

1 Cool Menu FX Tool will copy all the files necessary for running the button Flash file into the Build Folder, including:

projectname.bak Backup of the project file - by keeping this on the live server many people have been saved a rebuild when their PC fails.
projectname.html The HTML page used when you click Test in Browser - only displays the Flash file.
projectname.swf The Flash file - it contains all the images, sounds and animation shown in your project.

After the Flash file has been built you will able to click on the Build Folder link - this will open the folder inside Windows explorer. You will need to upload ALL the files in this folder to your web server. Nothing further is necessary for the Flash file to run.

Note: Be aware that Flash files made with the unregistered version of 1 Cool Menu FX Tool will display a large UNREGISTERED message when they are run over the Internet.

Automatically Replace HTML code:

If this option is checked 1 Cool Menu FX Tool will replace the assocated HTML in the specified file(s), every time you build the menu. This option is very handy if your menu is embedded in an existing page, and you want to make changes to your menu without having to copy/paste HTML code.

Note: If HTML tags matching the current button menu cannot be found, an error message will be displayed and no HTML code will be replaced. If this occurs, please use the copy to clipboard button method for inserting your code.