MD Gallery v1

Minimum Requirements:

• Flash 8
• Text editor of your choice - Notepad or Text Edit work great - Don't use MS Word
• A server to deploy the site in
• (optional) - Photoshop CS if you want to use the included PSD templates

Included are:

• _DEPLOY
  • css/styles.css
  • images/
    • large/pic_01.jpg - pic_12.jpg
    • thumbs/pic_01.jpg - pic_12.jpg
  • js/swfobject.js
  • swf/MD_Gallery.swf
  • xml/
    • MD_Gallery.xml
    • Glamour.xml
    • Landscape.xml
    • Other.xml
    • Personal.xml
    • Portrait.xml
  • index.html
• FLA
  • as
    • buttons.as
    • copy.as
    • gallery.as
    • logo.as
    • main_nav.as
    • stage_resize.as
    • utilities.as
    • xml_loader.as
  • classes/(www.mosesSupposes.com/fuse)
  • MD_Gallery.fla
• FONT
  • Lacuna_Mac - Free font by Peter Hoffmann
  • Lacuna_PC - Free font by Peter Hoffmann
  • Frucade Medium Extended - Free font by Michael Schmidt
• PSD
  • MD_Gallery_v1.psd
  • Thumbs.psd
• MosesSupposes Fuse Engine: www.mosessupposes.com/fuse
• SWFObject: blog.deconcept.com/swfobject

How to deploy the site:

This template was designed with simplicity in mind. I have tried to add as many customizable features as I could, however, as I have come to find out, it is impossible for me to determine how each individual will use the template. Below is a list of instructions detailing the basic (out-of-the-box) setup for this template:

1. In a text editor of your choice, open xml/MD_Gallery.xml, and edit/add/delete as many galleries as you would like. For usability's sake, I would recommend keeping it to no more than five. Please read the notes in the file to get a better idea of what each item means.
2. In a text editor of your choice, create a separate XML file for each gallery in the MD_Gallery.xml file. (i.e.: xml/Portrait.xml. Change all portfolio information, including file names, titles, and descriptions.
   Note: You can add as many images as you would like in this file.)
3. In Flash or a text editor of your choice, open as/main.as. Make any changes to the variables section. Each variable is commented so you know what you're changing.
   Furthermore, if you're ready to deploy the site, you MUST set testMode to FALSE
4. (ADVANCED - THIS STEP IS OPTIONAL) - If you need to change the path to the class files (mosessupposes), open Publish settings, and click on Actionscript 2.0 to change your class path.
5. Save and publish your movie.
6. Upload: EMPTY ALL FILES INSIDE THE _DEPLOY FOLDER to your site and test. You do not need the actual _DEPLOY folder on your server. Just the files inside it.

Troubleshooting & FAQs:

1. I have made all my changes, published the files and everything is working correctly in Flash. However, when I upload it to my server, I get an XML error.
   Chances are you forgot to set testMode to FALSE. Double-check (in your main.as file) that testMode is set to FALSE when you're getting ready to view the site using a web browser.

2. I have uploaded all the files in the _DEPLOY folder to the server, but what do I do with the AS files?
   Nothing! The ONLY files you need are already set up in the _DEPLOY folder. You DO NOT need to upload anything else. All code in the AS files is automatically compiled into the swf file.

3. I have added some stuff to the CSS file, but it's not working like I expect it to
   A couple of things to note here: CSS support in Flash is limited and quirky. Before diving into it, I suggest reading up on using CSS for Flash. There are plenty of tutorials online that will explain what attributes are allowed. Also, In order to keep things simple, I only tied the CSS stylesheet to the gallery descriptions (not the individual photo descriptions). Although all text fields should allow for HTML content, only the gallery descriptions will allow for CSS at the time.

4. I want to have different names for the thumbnails and images associated with them. Can I do this?
   Is it possible? Yes. But not the way this gallery is set up. The best way to divide between thumbnails and large images is by keeping each in their own folder. A good way of naming your files would be something like: Portraits_01.jpg, Portratis_02.jpg, etc. A future version of this template may allow for more complex file-structures.

5. I want to load in SWFs instead of JPGs. Can I do this?
   Again, is it possible? Yes. But depending on the complexity of your SWF files, any interactivity within them may or may not work. That is highly dependent on your style of coding. The most common problem I've run into when someone's trying to do this is the use of _root. If your swf avoids the use of _root (and uses _parent instead), chances are very good your swf will work as expected

6. I would like a different aspect ratio to my thumbnails. Can I do this?
   Certainly. You will need to do some additional tweaking to the files to make everything look right, but I have gone through GREAT lengths to make this as simple as possible. Sometimes the tweaks will be done in the .as files, but I have done my best to keep those as generic as possible...so for the most part, your tweaks may be in the actual movieclips. Back everything up before diving into this, and then have a ball!

7. Can I load videos into this template? Instead of JPGs?
   I did not add anything to this template with videos in mind. For those of you out there that know some AS, you should be able to do this pretty easily, however, this is not a supported feature at this time. I cannot add this to your individual files, but it may become a feature in a future version.

8. If there's something specific I'm trying to do and these questions aren't answering any of it, can I contact you?
   Certainly! However, let me set your expectations: I have made every effort to make this file as easily customizable as I could. I cannot anticipate everyone's needs, so you will need to be somewhat patient as I try to figure things out. I get a lot of requests for customizations and many of you have been kind enough to offer me payment for some additional help. As much as I'm thrilled at the idea, I cannot promise anything, so here's what I CAN promise you:
   

   1. I will answer every inquiry I get.
   2. If I feel your inquiry is beyond the scope of what I can help with, I will try to at least get you in the ballpark
   3. I will be cordial and polite, if you do the same
   4. I try to answer all questions promptly - but sometimes It can take me some time (especially during the weekends). Please be patient. An occasional nudge or reminder is okay, but if you're impatient because I didn't answer your question in 3 hours...you're on your own.
   5. I do not take any freelance work (I simply don't have the time).

One Last Thing:

As I mentioned before, many have offered some sort of payment for helping them solve their problem. Although I am grateful for the gesture, I wouldn't feel right about charging for helping out where I can. So if you're still feeling like you'd like to help support my habit, I will set up a donation button on my blog (labs.molanphydesign.com/donate). I don't EXPECT anything, and I will let you decide what kind of support you'd like to offer. $0.10 or $10.00 is all good with me! :) Please remember, however, that this is entirely up to you. AND...please remember that you won't get special treatment if you donate. I will thank you profusely, but that's about all I can promise.

So, having said all that...THANK YOU FOR YOUR PURCHASE!!! Good luck and hope you enjoy it!