Re: FLASH: Generator 2 and Flash 4 capabilities and limitations

[Nigel Randsley-Pena]

Jeff,


> Can you give me in simplistic terms what Generator actually does and why

> it might be a benefit to a web developer's client...


Well I can try, but not being of the marketing species my words may not

seem sufficiently convincing ;).

Generator is based on the concept of content templates, swt files.

Instead of creating fixed content you create a template file. This file

is similar to a normal swf file but unlike these it allows for some new

elements. Simplistically these elements can be viewed as place holders

for real time content generation. Let's use a practical example based on

something I created for a client some time ago. The client wanted to

have a graphical interface that allowed monitoring radiation levels in a

certain area (no I can't explain further). The radiation level data was

collected in real time and continually placed into a database. The

graphical interface should show a general layout, map, of the area, that

allowed various zoom levels and would show the most recent readings

based on the data. It also had to be able to trigger audio and visual

events when certain levels where reached. Generator allowed for a full

implementation of the clients specs. The general map with all it's sub

levels where built as templates. On access to the movie the final swf is

generated in real time based on the template and the current data.

All visual feedback elements get generated when the swt file is called

and the user receives a final swf file that reflects the current status.

Because Generator is Java based all audio event triggering was done with

via java extensions to the Generator engine that called the JavaSound

API, enabling the use of Beatnik based sounds events.

Due to the complex area that was being monitored and to the large amount

of data used Generator represented a very simple way to implement a full

solution.

 

> In terms of cost for the program and labor... what labor /time cost is

> involved with making the daily changes? Are they automatic?  Or like a

> slide show, they pull from a huge pool of available but static resources

> on a server for the appearance of changing content?


A Generator based solution if correctly implemented reduces the type of

maintenance you are talking about. It's template based paradigm enables

it to be extremely flexible, and introduces a level of automation that

can cover most situations. Content generation is truly dynamic with

Generator and not quasi or pseudo dynamic like you can do with Flash

only based solutions.

So if your clients site requires continuous content update this is one

of the best answers you can give him. The increased initial cost it

implies is quickly absorbed by reduced maintenance costs.


The above is based on my own experience so you might find other

opinions. I think Macromedia has some test cases on it's site that may

give you further insight into this matter.

You might also try and talk with Ceri Smith from Macromedia Generator

Sales who will help you more than I certainly can.


Nigel


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