Swift-Generator is a Dynamic Flash Content generator. It aims at dynamically replacing texts, fonts, sounds, images and movie clips in either a Template file or a standard Flash file. It can also dynamically change action parameters in either frames or buttons.
This allows Webmasters to create dynamic content such as stock-exchange values, sport scoring, weather values, news tickers and the like. Swift-Generator only requires an authoring tool like Macromedia Flash 4 or 5. Once a Flash file is created, Swift-Generator is able to handle it.
Swift-Generator is a simple replacement for Macromedia Generator utility. It aims at
generating dynamic Flash content.
Swift-Generator can replace:
- Texts (size, alignment, kerning, color, transparency and font),
- Textfields (Flash 4 and 5),
- Fonts,
- Sounds,
- Images,
- Movie Clips,
- Action Script parameters (in frames or buttons).
It can be used as a CGI program for HTTP servers like Apache, or just as a
separate utility called to produce a new Flash file whenever it needs to be updated
(crontab, schedulers, ...)
To create dynamic Flash content Swift-Generator needs either a 'Generator
Template' file (produced by Flash Authoring tool from Macromedia) or standard
'Flash' file.
It is strongly recommend to use 'Generator Template' files that are much easier to
use than standard 'Flash' files. The section 'Template vs. Flash' discusses about the
differences.
The Template or Flash file can contain swift variable references that will be replaced
when generation is invoked. It just consists in pattern substitutions. Swift-Generator
searches for swift variable references in the template file and replaces them by the
content defined in the Swift Script file (.sws).
A Swift-Script file is a set of statements (instructions) to tell Swift-Generator what to
do. Sophisticated objects replacements can be done with variety commands.
Swift-Generator is able to fetch data from CGI parameters (when used as a CGI),
text files, image files, sound files and from Databases (DBMS).
