Flash Based XML Reader

backspin · Post by **backspin** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 9:49 am

I created a nice little app in flash that lets you load a maps images/xml and do some basic checks.

the file can be downloaded here:
http://www.saturnproject.org/cc/risk.exe
you will also need the following xml file
http://www.saturnproject.org/cc/map.xml

Once you have downloaded both of the above files, edit the map.xml file and replace the values.

Then double click risk.exe. (make sure risk.exe and map.xml are the same folder as your maps images and xml file)

Once the file loads you will be presented with an option screen. Choose your map size, then click atlas...then click your maps thumbnail.

Your map should load along with the maps xml file. If the map's xml file loads and is parsed correctly, territory icons (grey dots) will be created using the maps xml file.

Click a territory name along the right side of the map to have all territories belonging to that bonus pulse in blue.

Clicking a territory will pulse in red all bordering territories, and pulse in yellow all bombardments.

Clicking the 'occupy' button at the top will put you into occupation mode...clicking a territory while in occupation mode willl highlight it in purple and bonuses will be calculated below the map. (clicking 'reload', 'occupy' or any of the bonus buttons will clear all occupied territories.

Clicking the 'reload' button will reload the xml file (so if you make a change, hit reload and see your change in effect)

I suppose I could make this a web based app, where you upload images and xml files...but I think that a stand-alone .exe file is better for a number of reasons. First off being the speed factor.

If you are debugging your maps xml, its much faster to debug locally than it would be to upload and check. Just fire up risk.exe, check territory placements, borders, bonuses etc. See something wrong, edit the xml file, hit 'reload' and make sure the fix worked.

Open call to all map-makers who find this app useful. Let me know of any features you'd like to see.

Next build will feature:
continent overrides (currently not in place)
click on map to get current coordinates
edit xml file directly from the app (not even sure if this is possible, but it would be hella nice to be able to just load the maps image file, and write all the xml directly from the app using nice menus and point/click functionality.

Current Bugs:
Last Bonus not being displayed
overrides not in effect.

NOTE
risk.exe does not use an internet connection. It parses map.xml and from there parses whatever files you plug into map.xml. The .exe file was created using Flash 8 Professional and as such I make no guarantees about functionality on systems other than my own. Also note that risk.exe and http://www.saturnproject.org/cc/risk.html are the same thing. The web based version reads maps.xml (which holds all live map data) and the executable reads map.xml (which contains one entry). Other than that minor difference the .exe and the .swf are one and the same.

In the next week I am going to seperate the two. Making a dedicated xml reader and a dedicated front-end, each with unique features.

backspin · Post by **backspin** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:48 am

awww, is no one using the xml reader? Should I discontinue work on it?

Night Strike · Post by **Night Strike** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 10:46 am

I didn't realize it was here. Is this based on those flash maps that were being worked on?? Once I get some time to sit down and look at it, I'll probably add it.

backspin · Post by **backspin** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 10:59 am

Flash maps?

Naw, I was bored one day and started writing up a flash based front-end. Posted it to the suggestions forums and a few people mentioned how it would be a great tool for map making. So I tweaked a few things and posted it here.

Still working on a front-end to, but thats not going to work without some minor help from the site admins. We'll see what happens.

You said you would probably add it...add it where and to what?

Night Strike · Post by **Night Strike** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 6:26 pm

Oh, it's just for map making??? If that's the case, you may want to post it in that forum. (Or ask a mod to move this there.)

backspin · Post by **backspin** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:56 pm

what did you think it was?

what are flash maps?

and can a mod move this thread to the proper forum.

backspin · Post by **backspin** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:55 am

Haven't forgotten about this project, got an update coming in the next few days.

gimil · Post by **gimil** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:15 am

backspin wrote:Haven't forgotten about this project, got an update coming in the next few days.

Ive downloaded everythin but im not sure how to use it.

I took all my portugal files and put everyting in the same folder. After that i took yor XML file and named all the files teh exact way ive named them in te folder. When i open flash it does nothing.

WidowMakers · Post by **WidowMakers** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 6:01 am

For some reason when you try to look at the Canada map, the territories group (North bonus area) does not show up in the left column as a possible bonus area.

WM

Gnome · Post by **Gnome** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:08 am

WidowMakers wrote:For some reason when you try to look at the Canada map, the territories group (North bonus area) does not show up in the left column as a possible bonus area.

backspin wrote:Current Bugs:
Last Bonus not being displayed

CrabNebula · Post by **CrabNebula** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 2:08 pm

Great job mate! I will download and check it out

backspin · Post by **backspin** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:59 pm

holy crap guys, sorry about that.

Ran into a roaming group of cascading issues. Starting with my roomates deciding unilateraly to kill our internet.

New laptop and internet today so I am back in business and mobile (as I wish I was 2 months ago)