Scrolling text in Flash with XML

[slideri812]

Hi All,

Just a quick question. I have been trying to create a simple auto scrolling text box with flash that uses an external CSS and XML file for data and styles. I want to be able to update the XML file as needed and have the changes reflected in the movie.

I have tried several tuts but I end up viewing all of the XML tags, not just the data. I have tried some tools and some free action scripts but to no avail.

If you can suggest a tut, or a .mxp or other tool to help me do this I would appreciate it very much.

I did a seach in the flash fourm but did not find an answer to this, perhaps I overlooked as I am sure I can't be the only person to want this.

I'm am still new to flash, though I have been using Swish for some time (FYI Swish = Flash for dummies).

Thanx all

Here is the Action script for importing the XML and calling the CSS:

//init TextArea component
myText.html = true;
myText.wordWrap = true;
myText.multiline = true;
myText.label.condenseWhite=true;

//load css
kungFuStyle = new TextField.StyleSheet();
kungFuStyle.load("kungfu.css");
myText.styleSheet = kungFuStyle;

//load in XML
kungFuContent = new XML();
kungFuContent.ignoreWhite = true;
kungFuContent.load("kungfu.xml");
kungFuContent.onLoad = function(success)
{
if(success)
{
myText.text = kungFuContent;
}
}


And here is the XML data from the tut:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>

<kungfu>


<drunken>This is some drunken text</drunken></p>
<monkey>This is some monkey text</monkey>
<snake>This is some snake text</snake>
<dragon>This is some dragon text</dragon>
</kungfu>

<kungfu>
<drunken>This is some drunken text</drunken>
<monkey>This is some monkey text</monkey>
<snake>This is some snake text</snake>
<dragon>This is some dragon text</dragon>
</kungfu>

[poab]

Hi,

You need to look up the xml object. It doesn't work like a string containing html tags. It goes a little something like this:

kungFuContent.onLoad = function(success){
if(success){
trace("xml ok so far");
moveThroughXML();
}else{
trace("something went wrong with the xml");
}
function moveThroughXML(){
for(var i=0; i<kungFuContent.childNodes.length; i++){
if(kungFuContent.childNodes[i]!="kungfu"){
for(var j=0; j<kungFuContent.childNodes[i].childNodes.length; j++){
trace(kungFuContent.childNodes[i].childNodes[j] != "" ? kungFuContent.childNodes[i].childNodes[j].nodeName : "white space");
}
}
}
}

That assumes you're using AS1.

[poab]

Hi,

You need to look up the xml object. It doesn't work like a string containing html tags. It goes a little something like this:

kungFuContent.onLoad = function(success){
if(success){
trace("xml ok so far");
moveThroughXML();
}else{
trace("something went wrong with the xml");
}
function moveThroughXML(){
for(var i=0; i<kungFuContent.childNodes.length; i++){
if(kungFuContent.childNodes[i]!="kungfu"){
for(var j=0; j<kungFuContent.childNodes[i].childNodes.length; j++){
trace(kungFuContent.childNodes[i].childNodes[j] != "" ? kungFuContent.childNodes[i].childNodes[j].nodeName : "white space");
}
}
}
}

That assumes you're using AS1.

[slideri812]

Hi Poab,

Thanx, I will give this a try later today and I'll let you know how it goes. Again thank you very much for taking the time to help.

[slideri812]

Hi,

Ok, I have tried it and I still can't get it to work right. Here is what I have:

//init TextArea component
myText.html = true;
myText.wordWrap = true;
myText.multiline = true;
myText.label.condenseWhite=true;

//load css
kungFuStyle = new TextField.StyleSheet();
kungFuStyle.load("kungfu.css");
myText.styleSheet = kungFuStyle;

//load in xml
kungFuContent.onLoad = function(success){
if(success){
trace("xml ok so far");
moveThroughXML();
}else{
trace("something went wrong with the xml");
}
function moveThroughXML(){
for(var i=0; i<kungFuContent.childNodes.length; i++){
if(kungFuContent.childNodes[i]!="kungfu"){
for(var j=0; j<kungFuContent.childNodes[i].childNodes.length; j++){
trace(kungFuContent.childNodes[i].childNodes[j] != "" ? kungFuContent.childNodes[i].childNodes[j].nodeName : "white space");
}
}
}
} 
}

The .xml file is the same. When I test it I just get a blank stage with no text or anything.

I have to tell you. From what I read I thought learning this would be a piece of cake, but it is turning out to be tougher that I thought. I know it can be done, I just don't know enough to know where I am going wrong. Thanx again, I look forward to your reply.