how should I tackle this zoom in effect?

[iggyotis]

Hi guys, I am just starting out as a freelancer and my first project is going to be a bit of a push for me...the brief is:

have a payslip which can be zoomed into at different sections, and then a voice over will explain what each bit means.
the client sent me this link as an example, but it hasn't got the zoom or audio on.
http://www.ceridian.co.uk/hr/nav/payroll_advice/payslip/1,4102,486,00.html

They have seven bits of audio around 15 secs each, and my thinking is that when a user clicks on a certain button, the image zooms in, the audio plays, and an animation of a pen ringing it or something will will happen.

How best should I tackle this to keep the file size down and make the audio sync with the animation? He has sent high res images of payslips but I'm not sure whether I should re-draw the payslip in flash to keep the file size down? I am used to working with frame labels so should I just have the movie go to a certain frame label when the button is clicked and the audio play there? Should I just have a preloader at the very start of the whole thing, or at all the sections?

Any help, advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as this is all a bit new to me!
Thanks,

[Vlykarye]

Hmmm. a bit confusing.
But first, to keep file sizes low, you should import the pictures/payslips/sounds/animations into the file with script.
From looking at the site, you're script seems very rough (could be cleaned up for better visuals) but it seems to be working fine.
The question is, how do you want the payslip things to zoom?
And, could you send me the .fla file?

[iggyotis]

Hi Vlykarye,

I'm not sure how I would import the images with script into flash? Any ideas?

Also, the link I attached was not something I did, the client just sent me this as an example they saw.

I was thinking of having the payslip zoom by having one smaller whole image of the payslip, and then when a user clicks on a certain section, an external swf is loaded and this displays the larger more detailed section and it will also play the audio. So I will have lots of separate swfs to keep the file size down.

Zoe

[Vlykarye]

Of course iggy :p (like the name)
I can teach you how to import anything, a few different ways.
And now I think I fully understand.
So in this case, we will have each individual swf file, or picture if you just want pictures imported, imported on click.

Question 1: Do the want controls for the sound? As in, muting (all sounds/individual), decrease/increase volume?

Question 2: Do you want swf files, containing each larger image, to do the 'zooming'? Or would you like the main file to do the 'zooming'?

Issue: For lower file size, we could instigate a preloader for each image/swf and sound. If so, I'll have to admit that I hardly deal with preloaders, meaning it will take longer to finish the project. But if time is not of the essence, then I'll be all in for learning how to use preloader objects.

[iggyotis]

Thanks Vlykarye! Well I was thinking that the zooming bit could be in the main movie so i'm not adding another image into the external swfs, but then i'm not sure how to have a user click on a section and then have it zoom up, and THEN load the external swf after this?

Also, I can add a preloader but I would only know how to add this onto the beginning of an external swf so maybe it does make sense that the zoom bit happens in the external swf...so you click on a section, you see the preloader and THEN the zoom effect occurs and brings you the larger image?

And I dont think they want any control over the audio, it's just going to start as soon as the image zooms up and then once you "close" this then it will stop and take you to the main movie.

Thanks so much for your help with this!

[Vlykarye]

Hmmm.. very well.
Let me think.... zooming can be done a few way, actionscripting or tweening.

Question: Which picture do you want the zoom action to take place on? The thumbnail picture, or the full size picture? I ask this, because a thumbnail picture with turn fuzzy when zooming.

Issue: A preloader won't be necessary for today's fast connections unless the pictures/swfs are huge files.

Issue: Why I put "Question:" and "Issue:", I'm not sure. But it helps organize each individual topic. Not that anyone asked, but i was wondering what you think about it. :p

[iggyotis]

well I figured if it was the thumbnail that zoomed up this would be OK because it would only be "zooming" for a split second and then the larger image would replace the whole thumbnail.

the audio files are between 200-800 kb, is this ok file size wise? this was my only thoughts on maybe why a preloader would be needed but then I've never worked with audio files so not sure whether this is the norm?

[Vlykarye]

So then, we'll first load the picture, then zoom it up (i wanted it that way anyways ;p)

For the audio files.... i'm not sure, but i have a feeling that they are huge for this kinda thing. But i'll have to check later for that.

Lets get started on that zooming.
Nobody really likes waiting for pictures to upload right. of course not. That's why we have thumbnails. But what happens when they wanna see the actual size? one of two things. One: On click, the actual picture loads and is shown. Two: the actual pictures are already loading in the background so that the clicker won't need to wait at all!

So.. we'll try number two?

[iggyotis]

ok cool...that makes sense!

[Vlykarye]

Alright. which instant messenger do you have? We can use it to transfer files back and forth. And it's a lot faster of course.

I have Aim Yahoo Msn (i think Google)
So your choice!

[iggyotis]

I am leaving the house now for a family get together, is there anyway you can help me on monday at all??

[Vlykarye]

Yeah, anytime is fine. Just hope to catch me when not busy (my schedule is very flexible, so there is a chance i might be busy) and IM or email me.
Have fun!

[iggyotis]

ok cool! fingers crossed you have some free time to help sometime next week:-) I dont have an IM but I'll get one...many thanks again, I really appreciate it! can I email/contact you again in this forum?

[Vlykarye]

Of course, hah. ill be here most of the time