Creating a Photo Gallery with Flash and XML: Pt.II Support

In the first part of this multipart tutorial we took a quick look at XML and how XML files could, in certain circumstances, be a neat alternative to setting up a database. We then saw how easy it is to load an XML file into Flash.

In this tutorial we'll build on that foundation by using our XML file to provide the data for a photo gallery application. The XML file will list the filename and caption for each photo in the gallery, then Flash will extract the information and display it in a movie. We'll load each image as the user requests it so that the photo gallery will run very quickly and users won't have to download all of the images before starting to view pictures.

If you haven't completed the first part of the tutorial, you'll need to understand XML and be able to load an XML file into Flash before you can start this tutorial.  I'm assuming that you know how to enter ActionScript into the Actions panel and that you have some experience at using actions in your Flash movies.

Check also the new Dreamweaver extension Flash Album Generator that will allow to create Flash Galleries quickly and easy!