Hong Kong Adobe Flash platform developer (Flex, AIR and Flash)
Posts tagged prototype
PROTOTYPE 0.4
0Is been a while since the last prototype. It is because this version’s scope is pretty large which involves all the possible page elements that will be present in the web page.
Same as the previous navigation menu, all the page content elements are constructed through the XML data file. The page content elements supported now includes:
- Basic text with text formats
- Images files like JPEG, GIF, PNG
- Multimedia file like SWF
- Background color and background image
- Rectangles of different appearance for framing
- Text or graphic linkings
- Linkings further divided into internal Flash and external HTTP links
The next step will be implementing the editor (Action) part of these page elements, hopefully will be completed after Lunar New Year. And this will probably named as Release 1.
PROTOTYPE 0.3
0After the text problems… is better to get back to the track. The prototype 0.3 is finally finished~~!! With the well written message box class, all the messages like system error, notification or tooltips can be shown to the user in a clear way.
The function here is simple.
- When a message appears, the message box will pop out at the bottom.
- After a few seconds, it will disappear.
- If user rolls over, it will appear again.
- Clicking on it will bring out the message history with corresponding timestamps.
- Clicking again will just reverse the result.
The next prototype will be working on more important page contents which should be a easier way to go. (I hope so…)
Furthermore, with the better knowledge in textformats and stylesheets. The working principle of the WYSIWYG text editor which will be used for the editing of text contents is already in my mind.
The brief mechanism is to use the textformat class. It involves the catching of user’s highlighting area and applying the formats. And at last it can be used to export back HTML codes which can be used in the HTML section of the project.
PROTOTYPE 0.3 (HALF WAY)
0Original planning is that this version will focusing on the system messaging function. However when I just started working on it, I found that a scroll bar is essential for this component to work. Although there are a lot of scroll bar components in the market already, I prefer to write my own. (Kind of stupid… ya?) First, just to challenge myself and knowing the working mechanism. Second, allowing me to change the style and skin of the scroll bar in my own will.
So half way of this version is dedicated to the scroll bar component. Actually you will never know that the scroll bar is extremely complex unless you self written one.
Say for an example.
- How to calculate the size of the scroll box?
- How to calculate the distance that the scroll box travel for each scrolling line?
- How to make the scroll box “chasing” the mouse?
- How to make the scroll move once when the arrow is pressed, wait for a little moment and continuously scrolling until mouse up?
This little scroll bar takes me two working days… but is worth. At least I learned much within.
The next step will continue the message box~
By the way, Happy 2006~!!
PROTOTYPE 0.2
0This version is a simple upgrade of the prototype 0.1, which involves the editing and saving function.
The workflow is as follows:
1. User using the original Flash navigation menu
2. User suddenly want to change the menu layout
3. User click on the “Action Mode” button
4. Flash changes to “Edit Mode”
5. User can drag and drop the navigation items anywhere they want
6. User click on the “Save Settings” button
7. User click on the “Edit Mode” Button / Reload the Flash
8. User can use the new modified navigation menu
The hardest part here is to define a well XML exporting mechanism, because all the other components, e.g. page contents will use the same mechanism.In the next version, I will be focusing on the messaging section. That is showing the system messages. It is a small part however important to let the user know whats going on.
And then the page content part will be done. And finally the page building and linking section. All of these will probably wrap up as prototype 1.0 which I hope can be finished before starting of semester B.
PROTOTYPE 0.1
0The prototype 0.1 is done within the revision and examination period XD, actually this is a very large one in terms of code size and is a very important milestone for the forthcoming development.
The prototype 0.1 mainly works on the navigation menu and is a trial on the real time building of the Flash contents based on the XML data file.
The workflow is like this:
1. XML (storing the data for the navigation menu)
2. Flash read the XML
3. Flash interpret the XML data
4. Flash dynamically builds the navigation menu
5. Finish (user can use the navigation menu)
The next step will be working on the navigation menu editing and saving function.
