Flash MX 2004 Games : Art to ActionScript

Flash MX 2004 Games
96
97 MSG msg;
98 while (GetMessage(&msg, NULL, 0, 0))
99 {
100 TranslateMessage(&msg);
101 DispatchMessage(&msg);
102 }
103
104
}
105
106 }
return 0;
Listing 24.3
In common with any Windows application it starts by registering the class in line 50; this in
turn calls the function listed between lines 11 and 34. Then in line 52 we create the main window
for this program and size it to 240 by 280 pixels. Then in line 65 we use the new Shell function
‘SHFullScreen’ to declare this as a full screen application that hides both the task bar and any
buttons. This allows us to move the window, which is accomplished in line 67. The app size is
now greater. In line 74 we call ‘InitHTMLControl’ which is declared in the ‘htmlctrl.h’ header file
and is found in the ‘htmlview.lib’ so please ensure that this library is added to your project. Then
we create the HTMLView in line 76. Note in this instance that the positioning of the control is
inset. Changing these parameters allows you to bleed off your Flash entirely. Also removing the
WS_BORDER, window style will remove the box surrounding Flash in the example. Finally,
in lines 93 to 103 we set the HTML file to load. By using the embedded resource ideas set out
earlier you could save this in a resource and then load it out to a temporary file along with the
Flash swf so that the entire exe is self-contained. To use the HTMLView you use ‘SendMessage’.
Space is limited so if you intend to use a more sophisticated application then I suggest reading
the documentation that comes with Embedded Visual C++ 4. In the sample you can see how
communication between Flash and the host is achieved.
Summary
If you have ever done any Windows programming then much of the information in this chapter
will be familiar and you may be pleasantly surprised how easy it is to incorporate Flash into your
application. If you have never done any Windows programming then the whole lot probably
seems totally confusing. You can actually use the source code without understanding it, if you
wish, but if you do intend to create a wrapper for a Flash movie then I recommend getting to
grips with at least the basics of Windows programming.
Using the Flash ActiveX control in this way allows you as a developer to create desktop characters,
email virals and screensavers. It is certainly worth looking into how the control can be used
to extend your applications.
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