Different file types -
Mongo
use in conjunction with webpages and programs. I have a couple of questions,
however. And forgive me if these questions seem to be pretty elementary -
I'm just now in the process of learning how to work with the Agent.
I'm slighly confused as to the differences between the file extensions.
This is my understanding from what I've read so far. .ACS is the entire
library of components for local d/l, and placement into the local directory.
The .ACF and .ACA extensions are the main structure and actions of the
Agant, and are split out for easier download from the Internet. My questions
are as follows:
1) Is there any way currently to split out the .ACS files to the .ACF
and .ACA components, so that someone can use pre-existing builds of Agent on
the internet?
2) Can the .ACF and .ACA files be served out of a standard Web server,
or is it necessary to have a special Agent server?
3) Besides the Microsoft Agent characters, are there any existing .ACF
and .ACA files available for use? My use of the Agent will be for a CD-ROM,
but I need to pitch support and gauge interest for my project over the
internet, and will be extremely low load (at most, 10-15 hits/day)
4) Any links to in depth tutorials would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your help, Matt Garris (kick the crap out of my
Email address to respond via Email)
Microsoft Agent
> I'm slighly confused as to the differences between the file
extensions.
> This is my understanding from what I've read so far. .ACS is the entire
> library of components for local d/l, and placement into the local
directory.
> The .ACF and .ACA extensions are the main structure and actions of the
> Agant, and are split out for easier download from the Internet. My
questions
> are as follows:
A: Not quite right. ACS and ACF/ACA are simply formats for compatible with
Microsoft Agent. ACS is a format where all the character and animation data
is compiled into a single compressed file. This is intended for loading
characters that are stored locally or can be accessed with UNC file
protocol. ACF/ACA is an alternate format where the character's data is in
the ACF file and its animations are stored as separate ACA files. This
format is intended for loading from an HTTP source. Because each animation
is stored as a separate file, you can also determine dynamically which
animation you want to download rather than having to have the user download
the entire character. Animations can downloaded singly or as groups,
synchronously or asynchronously. This enables you to do your own "streaming"
of animation data to your web pages.
> 1) Is there any way currently to split out the .ACS files to the .ACF
> and .ACA components, so that someone can use pre-existing builds of Agent
on
> the internet?
A: No, not generally. Typically, a character author will produce both
formats. In the case of the Microsoft characters, we provide access to the
ACS characters and you can load the ACF/ACA versions from the Microsoft
site, but if you want to offer them from your own server, you must first
apply for an Agent distribution license at which time you can also request
the .ACF/ACA versions of the character. The license is posted for download
from the Agent site.
> 2) Can the .ACF and .ACA files be served out of a standard Web server,
> or is it necessary to have a special Agent server?
A: ACF/ACA files can be supported for access from any standand Web server.
There is not special Agent web server.
> 3) Besides the Microsoft Agent characters, are there any existing .ACF
> and .ACA files available for use? My use of the Agent will be for a
CD-ROM,
> but I need to pitch support and gauge interest for my project over the
> internet, and will be extremely low load (at most, 10-15 hits/day)
A: As noted above, you can access the .ACF/ACA format for any of the
Microsoft characters by using the path defined in our documentation at the
Agent website which will load them from Microsoft's servers. To be able to
host them from your own web server, you will need to submit 2 copies of the
distribution license which you can find posted at the Agent website.
> 4) Any links to in depth tutorials would be GREATLY appreciated.
A: There are several good starting article provided by many in this
newsgroup. You should also check the on-line docs and samples at the Agent
website.
Ed Ross
There are VB agent programming tutorials at The Agent LaunchPad
http://www.agent-launchpad.co.uk/
I hope you find them useful.
Ed Ross
The Agent LaunchPad AgentVision
http://www.agent-launchpad.co.uk http://www.agentvision.co.uk