XML Slideshow in define_main_page.php

[markov]

Hi pensive612,
This is a post to clarify things for others that hit this problem -

I think seethrou has hit the nail on the head.
Basically to make SlideshowPro work correctly:
Put your xml file in the root of zen (where your index.php file is)
Your xml should be like so:

<gallery>
<album title="My Title" description="My Project"
lgPath="images/YOURFOLDERNAME/gallery/album1/large/">
tnPath="images/YOURFOLDERNAME/gallery/album1/thumbs/"
<img src="yourPictureName.jpg" caption="Your Caption" />
</album>
</gallery>

Hence the lgPath and tnPath need relative links
BUT the img src just needs the picture name.

The html code for the flash is as follows (note relative links in bold)


<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=7,0,0,0" width="360" height="400" id="slideshow" align="middle">
<param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" />
<param name="movie" value="images/YOURFOLDERNAME/slideshow.swf" />
<param name="quality" value="high" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" />
<embed src="images/YOURFOLDERNAME/slideshow.swf" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="360" height="400" name="slideshow" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" />
</object>

As fas as I can see - you don't need to alter the HTML to add
<param name="base" value="." />
<embed base="." </embed>

The reason I can say this is because I have just created all of the above in a SlideshowPro project and it is all functioning correctly. I hope this helps someone in the future.

[pensive612]

Good call Markov. thanks for the detailed explanation. it made perfect sense.

I think what mine did, allowed you to not need the XML file in the root directory.

both solutions seem to work perfectly...


thanks again for the update.

now, onto getting them to validate!

[markov]

Hi pensive,
I think I have just noticed the simplest answer to this - and perhaps we have both overlooked this.
In your flash file - look in the Component Inspector of Flash MX 2004 - and you will see "XML File Path".
Just set the correct path here eg. the default path would be images/slideshow/images.xml

and hey presto - your file can now find the XML file no problem!

[pensive612]

markov,

i wish it were that simple my friend. the XML path field is all you need normally, but the outcome will not work inside ZenCart without modifying the code.

the problem is making the links relative to the SWF and not the HTML document. without having them all in the same folder, or having to keep them at the root level.

check out page 9 of the SSP user guide it has a decent explanation.

but the important part is this:

To keep your relative links, add the following
alongside the other existing <param> elements in your HTML document:
<param name="base" value="." />
Then add a similar base attribute anywhere inside the <embed> element:
<embed base="." [rest of embed attributes] />
This base parameter is a special override forces the Flash Player into making all links
relative to the SWF, not the HTML document.

here is the code i used to get the swf to load with the images for the slideshow:

<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=7,0,19,0" width="479" height="303">
  <param name="movie" value="/swfFolder/your.swf" />
  <param name="base" value="." /> 
  <param name="quality" value="high" />
  <embed src="/swfFolder/your.swf" base="." quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="479" height="303"></embed>
</object>

although, keep in mind, the code is not w3c compliant yet. i have to rewrite to avoid the embed script. but in the meantime. it works!

if the way you were doing is giving you any problems, let me know and i'll help out in any way i can...

take care.

[Friedrich72]

After two days of beating my head against the wall I found this thread.

thank you all so much! I can sleep now.