It has not been too much time since I started playing with Flash and ActionScript, so, your critics are wellcome!
For the similarities with Sephiroth´s ImageGallery3, it´s not a coincidence, I indeed based some of the interface and logic on it. However, the way I implemented was totally different. But that´s the purpose of open source isn´t it? :)
I thought about using the FileReference class, but at the time I have decided to stick with Flash Player 7 features. But I´m seriously thinking about moving to v8, to be able to use the BitmapData class as well (to add the smooth effect you said and to be able to create more appealing transitions animations on the album.)
Yes, the project is far from finished, or, at least, far from what I want it to be. I´m the only developer and designer involved, and as it´s being developed on my spare-time, it has been diffcult to get the the flow state. However, I needed it to be online, as it has been of great success in the city I live in. The version before that one was too hard to maintain, so, I had to make a decision: either abandon it or redesign the system. I decided to redesign the system, and went into ARP and Cake (with CakeAMFPHP).
For the v2 components. I was also thinking if it really worth it to keep using them, as they add too much overhead (KBs) to the swf. However, I´m using Shared Libraries, so, the DataGrid and other v2 classes are loaded only once (at the main preloading). I don´t know if I take the time to leran v2 skinning or go for another user interface solution (maybe using only home-made on demand "smart-movieclips").
Thanks for the design suggestions, I will make my best to follow them. You see, again, it´s hard to keep all these different details on my head, so, that´s why I´m asking your help!
Thanks a lot for your time and for the valuable tips!
Um abraço!
Marcelo.
Marcelo,
If you insist.... here it is J
Normally my critics are a bit "rough" ( I think this is the word), so don't get me wrong.
It seems your project is far from finished, so I guess you want opinion for what you have done so far.
- I wouldn't use a datagrid component to show the "agenda". It's design has nothing to do with the rest of the design. DataGrid is heavy, and I guess your swf is at least 70 kb bigger because of it.
- Images are "pixilated". You can solve this with by activating bitmap smoothing. To do this, when images are received, on load init, you can create a bitmap copy using the bitmap data class, remove the loaded image, and attach the copied bitmap with the smooth flag on. This way, images will have much better quality after resize and rotation changed. You could also include the title of the images. Activate anti-alias for readability, keep the titles without rotation, and do the same you do for images. Font will look much better after rotation. Disadvantages: bitmapdata is not fast, so make sure your images are smaller than 300pixels wide.
- I would do some tweaking on the design. You are using Flash, so your possibilities are "endless". :o)
- There are some places where the font showing is time new roman. This probably is happening because you've forgot to embed font outlines.
- Only the photo viewer is working right? The rest didn't show up for me.
- On the "download photo – baixar foto" you could use the file reference class,so you won't need popups and "save as" right click. Remember that some browsers block popups, and when we make something we have to assume that the visitor is the most dumb you can think of (they are not, it's just a rule to follow for good usability :P). You can solve this easily in a more elegant way with the ".download" on FileReference class.
- You don't need to block user interaction when you are communicating with the server. You should only block submit buttons.
- Your gallery seems very similar to the Sephiroth's one (www.sephiroth.it ). Not a critic, just a statement :o)
- In the place where you can comment a photo, you have a lot of different fonts. There is a small rule you should follow: on the same screen, there shouldn't be more than three different fonts. This is allow too swf file size reduction.
- There are places where fonts seems not be anti-aliased for readability, or embed.
- When you want to post a comment, the animation is smooth. But when you navigate through the photos, the animation is "hard". You should use the same type of animation, to keep your site consistent.
Since my service capture has expired, I wasn't able to sniff your amf packets content (I am not in the mood to install other packet sniffer), to see how you are communicating, and also if there is any apparent security flaw to exploit using your forms. I think there is a lot of work to be done, most of it on design tweaking. I do not have time to test more, but those are my suggestions to you. Don't get me wrong for being such critic :o)
João Saleiro
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Marcelo de Moraes Serpa
Sent: quarta-feira, 7 de Junho de 2006 13:46
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [osflash] [ARP][CAKE] My success history
Well, don´t mean to be childish or something, or to keep insisting "please visit my website!", but as this was my first big project with osflash tools and libraries, I would be very happy if any of you would take 2minutes of your time and tell me what you think, what could be improved in your opinion. If you need more info on how I did something, please, don´t hesitate to ask :)
http://www.chapeco-online.com.br
Cheers!
Marcelo.On 6/6/06, Marcelo de Moraes Serpa <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Holy cow, I forgot to include the URL: www.chapeco-online.com.br
Sorry!
On 6/6/06, Marcelo de Moraes Serpa <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Well, it has been only a couple of days since I´ve put this version online. This application was a major rewritting of my old system (which was based mostly on the timeline and was a total mess, I just couldn´t understand anything I´ve done when I saw the code some days ago). This one was done using ARP and ARPX (Grant´s e Christopher ones). I´ve also used Pixlib and the excellent Fuse + ZigoEngine for all the animations (tweens). Other tools/libraries I used were: LuminicBox log API (FlashInspector), XRay. FlashDevelop as the IDE for coding, Flash IDE the IDE for designs and of course, mtasc to compile.
At the server side, what really boosted my productivity and gave me a whole new horizon was the use of the excellent CakePHP framework. I modeled my application server in Cake and made it talk to flash through CakeAMFPHP (thanks gwoo!). Now, I have the possibility of making a AJAX/HTML front-end without major troubles if I want.
It´s far from perfect. I´m the only person involved (from graphics design to programming to making the coffee :D ) There are many bugs and things that could be improved, and that´s why I´m gently asking you to visit it and give me your oppinions, suggestions, bug reports, any feedback is appreciated!
I would really like to thanks all the OSFlash/FlashCoders buddies for all the help they gave me. Also, all the cool guys at #cakephp, you are awesome! Thanks Aral for ARP, Nicolas for MTASC... and the list goes on! Thank you OSFLASH.
Now, I gotta focus on the evolution! I have so many ideas and most importat - good tools to achieve them!
Thanks,
Marcelo Serpa.
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