Category Archives: Flash

Simple Image Search

  • Posted On: January 15th, 2006
  • Posted In: Flash, Useful

It feels very good to finally get this one off my chest! I’ve been meaning to build a nice Flash interface for image search for a long time now. I tried it in Flash 7, but it turns out that most of the images on the web are progressive-JPGs. Since Flash 8 can handle progressive JPGs, if figured I had to git ‘er done. Check out the app here.

The search results are courtesy of Yahoo’s fantastic Image Search API. Originally I had tried to connect to Google’s image search by using screen-scraping, but it turned out to be much easier to hook up to the Yahoo API, which returns nicely formatted XML.

The interface is designed to be a simple as possible, while retaining some powerful features. Hopefully this is something that is genuinely useful and will “empower image searchers across the world” (cue dramatic music). Check out a more in-depth description of Simple Image Search here. Please let me know if you have comments, suggestions or bugs.

A weird floating head

  • Posted On: November 6th, 2005
  • Posted In: Flash

This is an old swf I dug up recently when I should of been learning AS3. I like the way it turned out. The pseudo-3d effect is achieved by using a variation on the old drag the nose by the cursor effect. Here is a bigger version.

Oh yeah, the floating head belongs to Gene Liebel, my old work mate at Huge.

Flash 8 font filesizes are bigger

  • Posted On: September 21st, 2005
  • Posted In: Flash

If you create a movie containing an embedded font and publish in Flash 7 then Flash 8, you’ll notice that the Flash 8 swf is a few K larger. For Times New Roman, Basic Latin characters, Flash 7 is 13k versus Flash 8 at 17k.

I guess this is the tradeoff for the improved font rendering in Flash 8. So, if you are trying to squeeze every last K out of a swf, you might want to publish as Flash 7.

Web debug proxy roundup

If you are developing Flash sites that talk to a backend system via XML or flash remoting, you need a web debug proxy.

A web debug proxy sits between your machine and the internet, and displays any HTTP traffic that passes between the two. This is invaluable for debugging Flash RIAs and data driven sites, by showing you exactly what data is being loaded into the browser. Some web proxies also offer bandwidth throttling which simulates a slow internet connection, and is useful for testing flash preloaders. There are currently 3 web debug proxies that are commonly used:

  • Fiddler. Windows only (requires .NET Framework v1.1). IE only. Free. Does not offer bandwidth throttling. Allows you to manipulate the data being loaded on the fly.
  • Charles. PC/Mac/Linux (requires Java 1.2). Firefox/IE compatible. 30 day trial, $50 for a license. Offers bandwidth throttling. Full featured but can be a little slow to load.
  • ServiceCapture. Windows only (requires Java 1.4.2). Firefox/IE compatible. 15 day trial, $35 for a license. Offers bandwidth throttling. Works well with flash remoting data, fast loading, clean interface. (Disclaimer: ServiceCapture is developed by my workmate Kevin Langdon.)

Nice 3D Flash Video Site

  • Posted On: June 16th, 2005
  • Posted In: Flash

This site for the Casio G’zOne phone is super nice. Beautiful 3D rendered video mixed with flash animation.

R/GA is Hiring Flash Programmers

  • Posted On: June 1st, 2005
  • Posted In: Flash

R/GA, a Manhattan based web agency, is looking to hire top-quality Flash programmers. R/GA is a world-class web agency, and has clients such as Nike, Nokia, Target and Avaya. Candidates should be fluent in ActionScript, and have experience with OOP, XML and server-side communication. Some design skills are a plus.

If you would like to work with a talented, creative team building some cutting edge Flash sites, e-mail Jarret Summers, and mention my name (Felix Turner).