is this possible?
- Started
- Last post
- 17 Responses
- ridg0026
I have three seperate .swf files that currently play independently on 3 HD screens via their own micro-computer connected to the screen. What I'd like to do, is be able to sync them up somehow so that I could, for example, have content move from screen to screen in a fluid animation as if it was all one giant screen. I've had multiple people tell me that its not possible, and I myself would have no idea. Anyone ever try and do something like this? Successful? thanks.
- CygnusZero40
Interesting question, I have no idea. Would like to know as well.
- Ambushstudio0
Please someone answer this, it sounds intriguing
- eficks0
not with flash.
- SteveZissou0
Local connection might be what you need:
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Flas…
- bulletfactory0
We do this, but have a digital screen system. We use a product called Scala. So while it's totally possible, you likely can't do it with your current setup.
I have 4 - 42" lcd screens that I use as 1, 2, and 4 canvases; just take 768 x 1366 and multiply the number of screens to get the width I need depending on the creative. I have had a series of templates made up to fit my needs.
- CygnusZero40
What if you just created it as 1 big wide animation, and have 3 screens hooked up together?
- flash wont play fullscreen across them.eficks
- This is how I do it. We hook all 4 into one player.bulletfactory
- (again, it's the product we use that makes it work)bulletfactory
- monospaced0
I guess my main concern is how you intend to have something move from one Flash animation to the next if they're separate files. You would have to create a single animation and then figure out the technology of spreading it across the displays.
I think the trick is to fake it, stick with three animations and simply animate them to do what you want. As long as you start them simultaneously everything should be fine.
- I have 2 screens linked at work.CygnusZero4
- so do Imonospaced
- CALLES0
one large comp in ae and use the crop tool?
- fyoucher10
Local connection if they're all on the same computer.
This 'might' work:
Set a text file on a server with three boolean variables.
For example:
swf1 = "false"
swf2 = "false"
swf3 = "false"
Have each SWF set one of those variables in the text files whenever it gets to the point where they need to sync. At that point have them constantly check if all three variables are set to "true". If so, do whatever function you want and then reset the variables for your next sync. However, I'm not sure what kind of delay is involved withe getting those variables. It's be a pretty small text file download though. Pretty easy to setup too. Might be worth a shot.
- ridg00260
the issue with what mono said is that these screens are controlled remotely via the internet, so if one screen loses its connection, and the animation has to be restarted, it goes out of sync. Normally wouldn't be a big deal to just go in and restart all three, but ultimately we will have hundreds of screens, with different content, and managing that alone would be a full time job.
- bulletfactory0
With hundreds of screens, you should have budget to purchase a product to manage the content, schedule the content and have templates created to fit your needs.
- catalystCALLES
- dont have hundreds of them yet ;) hoping to tho. Im looking into SCALA right now? what are your impressions?ridg0026
- I've been very pleased. We've engaged Zero-in Media to develop dynamic templates based on my designs.bulletfactory
- Nice. We we're hoping to find a way without using a third party, but like i said, most have said NOT possible. Thx!ridg0026
- We had narrowed it down to 2 systems - Scala seemed to be a better value for us.bulletfactory
- Can I ask what the other one was? just to compare and contrast.ridg0026
- Sure, X2O Mediabulletfactory
- fyoucher10
Probably best using PHP but you may also want to look into the FileReference class and the download and save methods. You might also want to look into using AIR to bypass security restrictions since I think the browser-based Flash plugin would require user interaction.
- chrisRG0
setup a localhost FMS server and control all of calling functions.
as you only have 3 connection you can use the developer version of FMS.
- chrisRG0
setup a localhost FMS server and control all of calling functions.
as you only have 3 connection you can use the developer version of FMS.
- ridg00260
Thanks for the responses. Most of this is waaaay over my head but it looks like i've got some options to explore now (and some learning to do). Cheers.