Using Flash With The Doodlekit Website Builder
Heath Huffman
11/13/2008 05:50AM
| So you want to insert some flash into your Doodlekit website? No problem! The following tutorial will show you the basics of how to do this. There are more advanced coding options you could use, but you will need to research and implement these yourself if you wish to use them. |
1. Create a Flash File - You will need to create the flash file. Whether you do this yourself or pay someone else to do it, is up to you. You might try www.istockphoto.com to find some already made flash files or if you have a more specific design you want created, you could create a contest on www.99designs.com and pay the best entry a prize of $200+ (the more money you're willing to pay, the more entries you will get to pick from, as well as higher quality entries). Make sure that the flash file is no wider than 420px - 450px. Anything wider than this will be 'chopped off' at the end because it will exceed the page width.
2. Upload Your Flash File - Once you have your flash file, you will need to upload it to the web server. If you are using a FREE plan with Doodlekit, you will NOT be able to upload it to Doodlekit. You will need to use a file storage service that will allow you to upload your flash file to a web server so that you can access it on the web. You might try www.filedropper.com or www.fileqube.com. If you have an upgraded Doodlekit plan, you have the ability to upload files. Login to your website, go to the Admin Tool and click on the 'add-ons' menu. There you will see the 'File Uploader'. Click on this and upload your file.
3. Get the URL to Your Flash File - Once the file is uploaded to your Doodlekit website, it will be listed as a link. Click on this link, and it will open a new browser session for your flash file. Depending upon your browser, it may or may not show the file, but this is not important. What you want to do is COPY the URL at the top of the page. This is the path to your file. If you have a FREE Doodlekit account, you will need to find out how to do this with whichever file storage service you have used. Once you have the URL, open a text editor (like Notepad) and paste it into here so that you can copy it out later.
4. Modify the Following Code - Copy and paste the following code onto a new page in whatever text editor you're using so that you can modify it:
<object width="450" height="200"> <param name="movie" value="http://doodlekit.com/media/mymovie.swf"> <embed src="http://doodlekit.com/media/mymovie.swf" width="450" height="200"> </embed> </object>
Because web browsers all handle flash code differently, there is some redundancy in the code. You will need to change everything twice (in two different locations) - once for the 'object' tag and once for the 'embed' tag. Change the height in both places to the appropriate height of your flash file, and change the width in both places to the appropriate width. Then copy the URL you pasted in earlier from Step 3 and put it in as the value for both 'src' file locations. Now highlight all the code and copy it.
5. Insert the Code into Your Doodlekit Web Page - Login to your Doodlekit website and go to the page where you want to insert the flash file. Edit the page. Place your cursor in the page where you want the file inserted. Now click on the 'Insert Object' button (it looks like a little red gear). Make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off. A small pop-up window will appear where you can paste in your code. Paste your code into here and click 'Save'. This will bring you back to the editor. Now click on the 'Save' button at the bottom of the page to save your changes.
6. Done - If you did everything correctly, you should see your flash file inserted where you want it. Enjoy!
Comments
I used the little globe on this blog post to try it out and it works fine ;)
I've used the file uploader several times, and cannot get my flv file accepted.
You need to convert it to a SWF file: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_Video
I did that and was frustrated that it didn't work.
heh, heh....Then realized I forgot to scale it down so it'd fit on the page.
Nothing like trying to fit the ocean in a cup!
Thank you!
Is there a specific reason why flv files won't upload?
Hey Amy,
Ben is going to add support for those file types today.
I want to upload photgraphs of properties. How can I do this. I do not want it as a flashsite.
How do you get ads off my website. I wasn't aware I had them on.
@steve Looks like you have google ads enabled. You can turn them off under Admin > Addons > Advertisements.
Is there a way to use a flash banner as the header on my site? I know I can do a custom header, and have figured that part out, however, I would really like to have something animated.
Thanks
Currently we do not have the tools to support that. However, we do plan on having something for the new layouts in our next release of Doodlekit - that will be a few months though.
Thanks, Heath. I have had great success with some of the CSS editing and applying the custom header image. I have a flash file just dying to take it's place. Same image but with floating clouds. Cant wait to use it...
hi i'm trying to add articles or text i've saved to the pages i created but i can't see how to do this? can you please help thanks
steve
If you are logged into your website as an admin, you should see red 'quick edit' buttons on the page that will allow you to edit the page.
I am no tech-no geek how do I activate the page I have just built?
Post a Comment