Cursors, and Text, and HTML.... Oh My!

This month we're going to take a look at the creation of a custom cursor, and how to import text files into a Flash file. We'll also talk about using some basic HTML commands with these text files, to allow for links and various text features, such as bold and italic, to be created.
 

First, we'll create a custom cursor that will allow for a different look to the cursor when it moves into a Flash file! This is great for different online educational learning tools, games created with Flash or simply to change the look of your web site. This uses something that is new in Flash 5 – a function called 'Hiding the Cursor'  - which basically explains what this function is capable of doing! Obviously the very first thing that we are going to want to do is create a new cursor that we'll use inside of the file. You can choose to create one using the tools included with the application or if you would like, simply import one from another source. For this example I simply imported an image from another Flash file to be used and created buttons to show how the cursor in fact works. Once we have the new cursor, select it and turn it into a Movie Clip (Insert – Movie Clip from the menu or F8 on the keyboard), giving it a name like ‘cursor’ in the instance preferences for reference purposes. Next, as you are in the main stage of the movie, you'll want to give the movie clip an instance name, so that it can be referred to easily. Once again here I simply called it cursor to keep things orderly and easy to reference.

Now we want to go in and edit this movie clip slightly so that the new mouse cursor will react correctly when it mouses over a button and the correct part of the arrow will be the starting point for the cursor. To do this, select the movie clip and edit it by pressing CTRL+E on the keyboard. Here you will see the center of the arrow is located directly center of the stage. We want to adjust this slightly so that the tip of the arrow is right on the cross that you see. Now Once you have done this, go back to the main stage of the movie using CTRL+E and you will see the cursor movie clip selected.

Next, go to the timeline and click on the first frame with the right mouse button, and select actions from the menu. We want to add some scripting to the ActionScript window by clicking on the plus sign. Go to Actions and select ‘Start Drag’. In the text field that is shown type in the name of the instance, ('cursor' for this example), of the movie clip that is going to be used and also be sure to select the 'Lock Mouse to Center' option or the mouse cursor will not move. The only thing left to do is get rid of the original mouse, which is a quick and easy process – if you don’t do it the mouse default arrow will show above our newly created graphic. Once again in frame one of the movie we want to add some more ActionScript to turn this mouse pointer off. In the ActionScript window, select the plus sign, but this time go to the ‘Objects’ option where you will see ‘Mouse’ and then are able to choose ‘Hide’ from here ! It is that easy, the mouse will now show as our newly created one and the default one will be seen no longer!

The next part of the tutorial will discuss how Flash can use text files to update information inside of a pre-defined text field, thereby allowing even users with no Flash experience to update a section of the file!

The text file that we create is going to store the information displayed in the Flash file. Once this is sent to the server and overwrites an existing copy (if there is one) the Flash file is automatically updated on the web page.

Random Quotes - Page 3
Flash 5 Tutorial: Part 1
Text File Overview