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sneakyimp
Inspiring
February 16, 2010
Question

can i change browser address bar as user navigates flash movie?

  • February 16, 2010
  • 1 reply
  • 1255 views

I'm looking at some requirements for an upcoming flash project. One requirement is for the browser url in the address bar to change as a user clicks around in the flash movie so that a user might copy/paste said address into an email and another visitor will be brought to the same location.

Is this possible?  If so, can anyone recommend an approach in flash that might make this easier?

If not, can anyone explain what the limitation is that prevents this?

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

RossRitchey
RossRitchey
Inspiring
February 16, 2010

Typically, the standard Flash application developed in Flash Professional does not allow this by default.  This is because the Flash application doesn't cause the page to refresh ever, and exists on a single page.  If Flash Professional is a requirement for you to build Flash content, there are several options to enable this, though they can be cumbersome.

If, on the other hand, you use Flex Builder (next version to be titled Flash Builder) to build your application - this is a checkbox in the settings.  Enable it, and this works by default.

S
sneakyimpAuthor
Inspiring
February 16, 2010

Thanks for your response, Ross!

I have flex builder 3 but haven't used it much yet.  One issue here is that I'll be working with a designer who will most likely be unable to comprehend flex builder.

Some nice folks have referred me to this:

http://www.asual.com/swfaddress/

I'm guessing that, like any framework, it will be helpful under certain circumstances but will also impose limitations on the design of my flash movie.  I've also been told that I must use WebTrends to facilitate Google Analytics integration.  If anyone has any thoughts on whether these bad boys are going to fight each other, I'd certainly appreciate knowing that.  I'm hoping to put together a proposal shortly.

The flash in this particular project is not exactly going to be rocket science.  Probably some fade-ins and easing and a slideshow type thing.  There might also be background music options and other display options that must be preserved in these urls.

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Anonymous
February 16, 2010

You use SWFAddress like you've been told, it's fairly easy to integrate. For instance once you have it available in your project you can just do:

SWFAddress.setValue(whateverValue);

To modify the browser address. And to get the address you just do: SWFAddress.getValue();

I'm not sure about web trends, but I've integrated Google analytics into plenty of sites without it... and I've never had a conflict with SWFAddress.

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