Re: ExternalInterface and Toolbook
Peter Hoyt
I went thru the same effort a few months ago. I gave up after I found an
email from Denny to Jeff R. that basically stated we can't use the external
interface functions in Flash to talk to Toolbook. If I understand the
situation right, the ExternalInterface in Flash only talks to the
"container" and in our case, that container is the javascript produced by
Toolbook during export. That javascript isn't set up to handle the
ExternalInterface.
According to that email (or maybe it was a response on the toolbook list) it
would take SumTotal a great deal of work to make this happen. If someone
were to ask me, I'd say "all hands on deck and let's get this working"
but... I'm not in charge. :-)
I'm drawing a blank on his name, but the developer of the "Javascript
PowerPac" (I think that is the name) said his tool would make it possible to
use ExternalInterface. However, I've not had time to try it.
I would love to be told differently, that I'm all wrong about this... so
please, someone tell me if I'm wrong!
HTH,
Peter H.
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Darrel R Somoza" <DRS...@LIRR.ORG>
Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 9:57 AM
To: <tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM>
Subject: ExternalInterface and Toolbook
> I am trying to work out utilizing the ExternalInterface class for =
> communication between Toolbook (DHTML Deployment) and Flash.
>
> When using extCallFunction() in the execute method action, what am I =
> supposed to use as the request parameter? In my experiment, I tried to use
> =
> both the actual ActionScript function name (sendText) and the string that
> =
> the addCallBack method registers as the name to be used by the container,
> =
> Toolbook in this case ("sendToToolbook").
>
> ExternalInterface.addCallBack ("sendToToolbook", sendText);
>
>
> If this is not correct, how should I set up the call in Toolbook?
>
> Right now, fscommand is still looking pretty good to me..
>
> - Darrel
>
> Darrel R. Somoza
> Manager - Technology Based Training
> Long Island Rail Road
> Office (718) 558-3133
> Nextel (516) 523-1628
>
Clifton Sleger
I'm excited to include the externalInterface logic in the JavaScript
PowerPac. However, what I would like to do is use a real world example
to build it around. Darrel, if you would be willing to put together a
flash file that includes an externalInterface function, what it is
supposed to do, etc. I would be glad to make the effiort to put in into
the PowerPac function list. The JavaScript PowerPac already leverages
most of the ToolBook exported structure to dynamically interact with
near all ToolBook objects. I'm pretty confident that the
externalInterface could be made to work with ToolBook.
Anyway, let me know if you can supply me with a file that provides a
case in point. I've got Flash CS4 on order so you can send the fla file
if you prefer ... probably better in fact.
Thanks,
Clifton Sleger
PG Software Development
Give the JavaScript PowerPac for ToolBook a test drive!
A 12 day free trial can be downloaded by visiting the tutorials here:
http:\\www.pgsoftwaretools.com\tutorials\index.html?nav=features
The current version is 8.26 and includes a number of refined and added
functions.
Darrel
on the Learning & Mastering cd. I understand the problem now, thanks. It's
too bad because a marriage of the two would be perfect. Actually, for me a
Toolbook based in ActionScript instead of Javascript would be even better. I
just hope that the Flash Player doesn't stop supporting fscommand anytime
soon as I have read in some other post. It's been backward compatible with
all versions of ActionScript so far so why would they drop it?
BTW, I just finished Jeff Rhodes new book "Programming for the e-learning
developer". I think it is fantastic and highly recommend it. I have been
simultaneously learning Toolbook and ActionScript 3 and his book falls right
into place. It explains, in simple easy to understand language, how the same
e-learning events are produced in not only Toolbook and Flash, but
Javascript and Silverlight as well. Even if you have no plans on learning
another programming language, his Toolbook examples and explanations (both
Action editor AND Openscript) alone are worth reading.
I'm sure the Powerpak is a great tool, I tried it but didn't give it enough
attention during the trial period. ActionScript is taking what little time I
have left over from Toolbook.
Thanks again for your reply, it helped.
- Darrel
Clifton Sleger
I'm excited to include the externalInterface logic in the JavaScript
PowerPac. However, what I would like to do is use a real world example
to build it around. Darrel, if you would be willing to put together a
flash file that includes an externalInterface function, what it is
supposed to do, etc. I would be glad to make the effiort to put in into
the PowerPac function list. The JavaScript PowerPac already leverages
most of the ToolBook exported structure to dynamically interact with
near all ToolBook objects. I'm pretty confident that the
externalInterface could be made to work with ToolBook.
Anyway, let me know if you can supply me with a file that provides a
case in point. I've got Flash CS4 on order so you can send the fla file
if you prefer ... probably better in fact.
Thanks,
Clifton Sleger
PG Software Development
Give the JavaScript PowerPac for ToolBook a test drive!
A 12 day free trial can be downloaded by visiting the tutorials here:
http:\\www.pgsoftwaretools.com\tutorials\index.html?nav=features
The current version is 8.26 and includes a number of refined and added
functions.
On 11/13/2009 11:57 AM, Darrel R Somoza wrote:
> I am trying to work out utilizing the ExternalInterface class for communication between Toolbook (DHTML Deployment) and Flash.
>
> When using extCallFunction() in the execute method action, what am I supposed to use as the request parameter? In my experiment, I tried to use both the actual ActionScript function name (sendText) and the string that the addCallBack method registers as the name to be used by the container, Toolbook in this case ("sendToToolbook").
Peter Hoyt
I have an example that I just coded specifically for your use. It is a
simple Flash CS4 movie that registers one ExternalInterface function call
with the container.
I have tested this with a simple html page that uses Javascript to call the
function.
I'd like to send you the html, the swf and the fla file. All the work was
done in Adobe CS4.
Please send me the email address you'd prefer me to send a zip file to.
TIA
Peter H.
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Clifton Sleger" <02c...@PGSOFTWARETOOLS.COM>
Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 8:05 PM
To: <tool...@LISTSERV.PLATTECANYON.COM>
Subject: Re: ExternalInterface and Toolbook
> Hi all,
Clifton Sleger
02c...@gmail.com
I may not be able to look at this for a bit as I have other work that
has become a bit urgent. Nevertheless, thank you for sending on the file
and I will work on the ExternalInterface as soon as I can. I have a
feeling that this may not take very long to figure out since the
PowerPac already has all of the communication in place.
Thank you very much,
Clifton Sleger
PG Software Development