Time it takes: 20 minutes Requirements: Dreamweaver
Build a Flash gallery in Dreamweaver

Screen16: Setting up the page
Open a new document, save and give it a page title. Go to the Insert bar and select Flash Elements. Or select the tab, depending on your view. I know it says Elements plural, but there is only one element called the "Flash Viewer" I believe the intent was that more would be developed but here we are on the second year since it was added and it's still all alone.

Screen17: Add the Flash Element
Click on the Flash Element. The "Save Flash Element" dialog box opens. Navigate to where you'd like to save the generated Flash movie. Name it and save. You will now notice a gray box added to your document. Notice the Property inspector, how it's changed. You'll be able to preview right here in Dreamweaver.

Screen18: Flash Element Panel
Look in the Panels area, there is a new panel added "Flash Element". You'll see all the properties available. This is where you'll edit the movie file to display your photos. You should have your images resized prior to inserting. Select the Flash Element, in the Property inspector change the dimensions to just a little larger than your largest image.

Boxout annotation. (I don't know how much space this will take so I may need to do some editing when I return from vacation. I'm winging this )

Use image annotations.gif (but screen18.tif cropped please)

1. bgColor: Click in the bgColor box and select a color. This is the background of the Flash movie not of your document.
2. imageLinks (I have a screeshot if it can be fit in): You can add links that correspond to each image if you'd like. Click the little pencil icon to open the Image Links Array dialog. Add links in the same order as image URLs.
3. imageURLs: Click the pencil icon, enter the URL of each image. Click in the first name and click the yellow folder to navigate to your image files. Click the + button to add more image links.
4. showControls/slideAutoPlay: These two kind of go together. You can have the movie AutoPlay with or without navigation controls.
5. slideDelay: The number you enter determines how much time elapses before the next slide is seen. You'll probably need to test a few times to get the timing just right.
6. transitionsType: There are 11 types of transitions, you'll want to test them all! Or you can choose to have no transition at all.

Test the movie
Select the Flash Element and in the Property inspector click on Play. For me a delay of 5 is too much so I'm changing it to 3. Stop the movie, change the transition, then play again to test. Repeat as often as needed.

Screen20: Preview in a Browser
Press F12 to view in your default browser. This Flash Element can be used in any design. Just be sure to size the images and viewer to fit in the available space.

Resources

• Free expert tutorials, movies and reviews for books and products. www.JoyceJEvans.com:
• New Macromedia resource connects you to help and forums www.macromedia.com/community/
• Free download of many Macromedia extensions (some for purchase). www.macromedia.com/cfusion/exchange/