Playing Flash Animations

After doing some research i learnt that there was a component in VB .Net which allowed me to play flash files, (.swf). However after trying to upload this component to my form i got an error which told me i was unable to use this component because my software was not properly registered. One of my class amtes suggested that i play the flash file through the web browser component.

 

I researched how to do this and learnt that i needed to create a html file which played the flash file and then direct the web browser to the html file. It worked i was able to play the Flash animation in VB .Net

My Research was conducted at the following site

http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=593895&SiteID=1

Creating the animations

I used Flash cs3 to create the animations for my shootout game. The animations are fairly simple. I was unable to create better ones because of a lack of time. After creating the graphics the animatoins only took a few minutes to create because of a previouse history with flash.

Use of Stubs

After completing the training module of my program, which used many of the same principals used previously in the program. I started to program the Shootout Game secton of my program. I wanted the users to play the game through the keyboard. Since i had not created the animations for the game yet i needed to use stubs.

The above stub was a message box which told me which button i had pressed and would later be replaced with the code for playing an animation

The Training Session

I have begun coding the training session module of the program. I aquired the videos by downloading them off the internet. I created a database of file paths of the videos. To fulfill one of my objectives, when a user views a videos his or her Skill level increases accordingly. The videos play through the windows media component which also allows the users to pause, stop and change the volume if they want.

Using Flags

I am continuing to program and encountering some errors. However with the use of cinstant feedback from Flags i am able to track wether the program is performing how i wanted it to.

Abov is a flag which displays a message box telling me the users index once they have logged in

Refined GUI

After examining the marking criteria i realised that my current GUI was not sufficient to recieve full marks and needed to be amended. With the help of Photoshop i created a GUI which i beleive will get me full marks or close to it.

It still needes to be amended and a possible animation placed in the middle. But the layout will remain.

Finishing Users Database

After solving my sql error it was time to start working with my database. I already had the login working correctly. Now I had to finishe the Create user module and Edit user module. I encountered some errors but they were easily solved by using the Single Line Stepping technique.

Now all aspects to do with the Users Database is complete

SQL Error Solved

Yesterday i went into class during the holiddays along with some other boys to work on our assignments. 

When working with databases there are many ‘reserved’ words which are functions of the computer. Words such as Add, Password, First etc. These reserved words were causing my sql error not my INSERT INTO statement which is not even neccassary to have.

My solution came from a website forum of a similar error.

 

A full list of reserved words can be found at 

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;321266

Visual Basic 2008

Today i downloaded VB 2008. I converted my project from VB 2005 to VB 2008 and and continnued working on it. However later on i realised that the school computers only have VB 2005 so i will be unable to work on my project at school. Luckily i saved a back up of my project so i can continue working on it from where i left it.

My Pressblogs

I realised i was behind on all my Wrodpress blogs so i decided to use this lesson to catch up and write what i have done during the week. I also Looked at Andrew’s Database code and tried to identify my error. i found out why it was occuring but did not have time to fix it.