Macromedia Flash in a C++ program.
by Dave Wilson · in Technical Issues · 08/17/2001 (12:22 pm) · 8 replies
Question for anyone out there. I'm interested researching using Flash as a UI (not the complete UI just part of it) for a game. I'm completely new to flash and have only done some tuts for some web stuff. Anyway, my question is: does anyone know of any good resources about this? or has done this themselves? I think I've read something about this I just can't remember where or who was doing it.
#2
08/18/2001 (10:14 pm)
I think it would probably be cleaner and faster to use a menuing system in your favorite graphics standard, be it DX or OpenGL. Everything you could do in Flash to do a UI, you could do it natively.
#3
08/19/2001 (2:07 pm)
Thanks, that's what I wanted to do anyway but one of my more non-technical friends has an idea for a game and wanted the research.
#4
I think Macromedia gives away the code for the flash 'players'. Being you could write a flash player, and they also give away the .fla format specs. Go to macromedia, they have your answer, which I think is yes.
08/19/2001 (2:24 pm)
Um,I think Macromedia gives away the code for the flash 'players'. Being you could write a flash player, and they also give away the .fla format specs. Go to macromedia, they have your answer, which I think is yes.
#5
Its possible, Ive seen a few games do it (a few on PS2 as it happens).
Its a good idea if you CAN get the flash code, but otherwise its a dead end.
Phil.
08/19/2001 (2:55 pm)
You can get code to "play" flash from macromedia. This is simply a playback control. It wouldnt work for a frontent though. To do that, you'll need the sourcecode to the flash player and to integrate that with your game code.Its possible, Ive seen a few games do it (a few on PS2 as it happens).
Its a good idea if you CAN get the flash code, but otherwise its a dead end.
Phil.
#6
Thinking about it more, using flash is still a pretty cool idea for the front end. It would provide some artists with an easier way of making UI. But then... since I'll be working on the scripting engine I could just provide some functionality for them...
08/19/2001 (3:33 pm)
Thats where I heard about it!!! With the PS2. I really need to keep notes sometimes. Doesn't look like Macromedia provides source. But I've only just started looking.Thinking about it more, using flash is still a pretty cool idea for the front end. It would provide some artists with an easier way of making UI. But then... since I'll be working on the scripting engine I could just provide some functionality for them...
#7
All the info you need is here: www.openswf.org/
08/19/2001 (4:12 pm)
I think using Flash to build interfaces is a great idea. First off, you get to use a fairly powerful interface to build with, which a lot of people are already familiar with. Secondly, it allows for very flexible designs, and has powerful scripting integration support.All the info you need is here: www.openswf.org/
#8
08/19/2001 (4:45 pm)
Wow! Thanks for the info. That's exactly what I need. Now on to the fun stuff. Thanks again! 
Dave Wilson