SWF File Processing Rules

Flash Tutorials - Herong's Tutorial Examples

∟SWF File Processing Rules

This chapter provides tutorial notes and example codes on rules used by Flash Player when processing SWF files. Topics include Flash Player timeline, frame rate and show frame event; SWF file SHOWFRAME tag synchronization; rendering objects in the display list; executing action instructions in action lists associated with frames; altering Flash Player timeline; stack machine used by action instructions.

Flash Player Lifecycle - Timeline and Frame Rate

SWF Tag Process Flow - SHOWFRAME Synchronization

SWF Player Lifecycle Example

Showing SWF Tag Details - "swfdump --full"

Flash Player Supports Dynamic Actions

Action Instruction Example - "GotoFrame"

Creating Display Objects with Action Instructions

More Action Instructions and Less SWF Tags

Conclusions:

Flash Player follows a timeline to trigger show frame events based a predefined frame rate parameter.
Flash Player renders all objects currently in the display list on the display screen.
SWF file SHOWFRAME tags synchronize tag processing flow with Flash Player's timeline.
SWF file PLACEOBJECT and REMOVEOBJECT tags add and remove objects to and from the display list.
SWF file DEFINESHAPE tags define "characters" in the "dictionary" to help creating objects in the display list.
Flash Player executes Action instructions if provided in frame when show frame event is triggered.
SWF file DOACTION tags provides Action instructions to each frame if needed.
Action instructions like "GotoFrame" can alter Flash Player's timeline.
Action instructions like "Push", "Pop", "Add", "Subtract", and "CallFunction" can execute ActionScript code with a stack machine.
ActionSction is a scripting language that allows you to create Flash applications.