Another awesome set of files uploaded to FlashDen this week, including an eagerly awaited and currently hugely popular file from michaelhejja. Whether it’s a Photo Gallery, a Content Scroller or even an Audio Player, we’ve got you covered in this week’s pick of the bunch!
Yes, you heard me correctly. We’re starting a new program that I think you’re going to like. Each month, we’re going to give away one free file on each marketplace (FlashDen, ThemeForest, AudioJungle, GraphicRiver, and VideoHive). Here on FlashDen we’re starting this program out with a bang! Please welcome the never-before-seen gallery by Parker&Kent!
Author: ParkerAndKent
File: AS2 XML Free Photo Gallery
Description:
Elegant and simple gallery with smooth transitions and space-efficient masking. To see the options, simply hold your cursor over the plus icon to the right of the image. There you’ll be presented with buttons to see the galleries and thumbnails, and to start the slideshow. Roll over each image to see the hidden description roll into view. The vibrantly-colored (editable) tooltip follows the cursor around making sure the user knows exactly what he or she is looking at. This is the perfect gallery solution for any website wanting to add a little class.
Main features:
Usage:
You are granted ONE free usage of the item in a project, either commercial or non-commercial. You may not use the file in multiple projects unless you purchase licenses in the usual way. You may not redistribute the item in any way. If you need a different license for this file, you may purchase it here.
A big thanks for the free file, ParkerAndKent! Here are some of ParkerAndKent’s other great files:
Also, be sure to check out this month’s free files from all the other Envato marketplaces.
Here are the outstanding contributions to FlashDen over the past 7 days that have caught my eye. Whether it’s innovation, design, or just a great concept, the following files have demonstrated a little bit extra as far as quality and/or usefulness is concerned. Well done to all the authors whose files are featured below, keep-up the great work!
So, how much can you make selling stock in the Envato marketplaces? No too long ago DigitalScience hit an incredible landmark by selling a quarter of a million dollars worth of files and VF was the first to sell one file 2000 times. Triworks has just accomplished the same amazing feat as VF, but with a $40 file; Their Full XML Website V3 just sold for the 2000th time! 2000 sales at $40 per sale means this file alone has grossed $80,000! Congrats Triworks!
It’s inspiring to see the potential that can be reached by Envato authors. Though DigitalScience, VF, and Triworks are the first to reach these incredible monuments, I’m sure they won’t be the last.
This week we interviewed site template master Aw_Shucks. Aw_Shucks is a very popular FlashDen author and community member and has been part of FlashDen for a long time. You may know Aw_Shucks through his previous FlashDen accounts, URanimEnigma and AdamB4God. His current portfolio is a high quality and diverse affair, containing a plethora of feature-rich site templates, menus, image galleries, utilities and what seems to be his most recent interest, mp3 players. Want to find out more about the method behind the mayhem? Read on!
My name is Benjamin Altiery, for those of you who don’t already know. I’m from a town on the outskirts of Chicago called, Joliet in the State of Illinois, USA. Well, its actually a city, not quite a town. For a living… hmm. I work on Web applications via FLASH. I eat, sleep, work out on the remote control for a while and get back to working on FLASH if I’m not sleeping. Basically, I don’t do much but sit in front of my computer and study and practice new ways of developing files as best I can. It’s tough to make a living off Flash Den when you’re files aren’t in tip-top shape. Sure practice makes perfect, but I’m learning that the hard way.
I’ve been using Flash since shortly after Flash Professional 8 came out (I think it was in 2005) during the summer. Flash works my mind in ways that gets me satisfied for using it, so I stick with it. It wasn’t long after I learned how to use onEnterFrame functions that I decided to try and dispense my work on FlashDen. Little did I know, (and I knew little of Flash at the time), that it takes a lot more than generic code to get your files approved. My first file was rejected for small issues with the functionality. Later when I got more into XML I tried again. Lo and behold my file was accepted. Back then I guess it was easier to get away with files that weren’t quite as up to par as DS’s or Dabamol’s, for the sake of comparison examples. I guess that was because “eden”, as envato was known then, was just starting out and was a lot more forgiving for their own reasons. But I improved, and selling on FlashDen, believe it or not, keeps me going.
Most of the time when I design things I start from scratch - an empty canvas and brand new text files. But sometimes, when I need to search for something because of problems with memory (cluttered brain functionality), I look at files I’ve made before for reference. Copying code just to save time was a convenience. I knew the code already, so I don’t think it would have been a problem to have reused some of it in other projects. Things like MovieClipLoader classes and scroller functions… really that’s mostly it. I mostly copied the framework and then built the rest of the functionality as the file grew to completion if I did reuse old code. That’s how my files tend to evolve.
When I first started out I would get inspiration from both the spark of well thought out ideas and from other Web masters on other sites. I’m referring to the many, many different Web sites that reflect complexity and simplicity all in one.
My steps are something to wonder about than to formulate into a clearly thought out and strict process. It all depends on how good my ideas are. Sometimes I find it necessary to build an application around the XML file, so I start with building the XML file. Generally however, I start with the design and a set of functions that I would be interested in bringing to life, so to speak. If I like the functionality I build the design around it. If I like the design, I contemplate a matching set of functions. Lately I’ve taken into account the importance of making the file as user friendly and easy to customize as I can. My techniques are constantly evolving because of the need to keep up with other designer/developers.
I then typically create the symbols and after that, slowly attach each symbol to a function, method, or action with ActionScript. I’ve learned to take it slow and make sure to work out any bugs I can find before uploading to FlashDen. It avoids the problems I experienced when I was pretty much a careless and over eager beginner.
Not much. I wait for the files to do their work, basically. I’ve taken it upon myself to try a new way to set my thumb images apart from other authors though. I’ve made a personal logo which I apply to my file’s thumb images. I don’t know if it works or not for improving sales, but it definitely gives a distinguishable introduction to my files.
I know that I’m not the best at it, but I’d have to say, improve your file’s overall Functionality and Design. “FD”, how apt! Also, make your files customizable. It’s my preference not to make everything that is demanded. Instead, I simply make a file practical. So if a customer keeps demanding to make a good file different just to suit his or her own needs, I would pass on the opportunity to make money so that I could keep a practical file, if I can. I’m actually learning that as I get better.
Above all else: It is important to aim to suit the needs of a buyer by designing a good file that is usable and customizable from the beginning. Good looks help too. (I don’t mean fix your hair before uploading a file either. 
)
I can’t really say I have a favorite. I try to stay away from choosing a favorite when it involves picking a human over another. But I can definitely say what FD authors I look toward when it comes to professionalism. MBMedia has innovative products. Bobocel is a trustworthy advocate with his “suit your needs” files. Micheal hey ya… (I forgot how to spell his name), he always surprises FD with his works. There are others, but I don’t like to keep points about who’s better than who. Anyone can improve enough if they keep their dedication.
I don’t know. That’s tough. But since you’re so insistent I’ll give a couple examples. My best template would probably have to be my “Be Template“. Others might Disagree though. My best AS3 file would be the only one I’ve ever made. I just finished it today up to what I’ve estimated to be about 99.8% complete. Its an mp3 player with some pretty cool functionality. I’ll be uploading it as soon as I get finished with the help file.
Everywhere I go on FlashDen there seems to be a complaint. If I could change one thing it would have to be that others would take into consideration that FD, and the rest of envato is still growing, still maturing. It’s getting better. I love the way the staff is so open with the members of their ever better marketplaces. I too need to show more improvement with how I handle things with envato and its members. So, just say thanks once in a while to remind yourselves that the staff are also developing their skills. Also, one more important change would be to bring back the useful ways of withdrawing funds to a PayPal account. Patience is key though. However, there’s only one way I can change that. And that would be to at least bring it to your attention and, like I said, patiently wait in case it does happen. The rest would be up to envato.
Well, I’m sure my nose hates my finger by now. But I try to find ways to have fun with what comes out of it.
No, I’m kidding. I don’t like playing video games anymore. When you have schizophrenia the games start to talk back. Freaky stuff. So if I do something other than flash, it might be that I go to friend’s house or to family member’s house to chill. That’s pretty much it.
It’s my first AS3 file. It functions without any hitches. I’ve successfully created as much garbage collection as I could. Every button has a purpose. The interface has mp3 controls (previous song, play song, stop song, pause song, next song). The buttons on the right all have special abilities. (leaping over tall buildings, faster than speeding bullets, super strength), I’m kidding of course. 
They all have different item display purposes like: volume display, song title display, album title display, artist display, equalizer display, time/progress display and the last button all the way to the right toggles the player to go to either the right side of the stage or to the left side of the stage. It’s no secret. So it’s cool. I should be uploading it by tomorrow if all goes well.
Thanks for reading. Well, they say the stronger you get, the stronger you smell. I’m feeling pretty strong right now, so I’ll be going to clean up. ( Darn it! I’ll lose all my strength.)
Peace out funky freshes.
// Aw_Shucks –
The recent collection competition generated over 3000 fantastic entries, and judging has been no easy task! Thanks to everyone who created a collection and entered. Here’s our top 10 entries. The one with the most votes will win US$3,500 to spend on their ultimate creative set-up!
by ahmednaguib
“A collection about cities, modern buildings, industrial sounds, videos of a town in motion, or a building in color, you will find it here, brought and made by some of the greatest authors in their fields, enjoy!”
by idrawdesigns
“The Eco-Friendly Collection (Web and Print) is a compilation of items across the Envato Marketplaces that relate to going green and being environmentally friendly. Templates can be used as a base for websites and printed material that promote recycling, preserving nature, and anything that has to do with being eco-friendly. Sounds and flash animations can be used to accompany work created on the web.”
Read More …
Quite a mixture of stand-out files this week, including utilities, banner rotators, image galleries, an audio player and much more! The reviewers have been busy approving a ton of files this week, so without further to do, here are the pick of the bunch for this week. Congratulations to all the authors whose items are listed below, good work! 
As processor power increases while prices fall, and as advancements in bandwidth and connectivity improve, the quality and speed of video on the Web is always increasing. We’ve already seen larger dimensions of video being used throughout the Web in recent months, as well as better quality and the introduction of high(er) definition videos on popular sites such as YouTube.com.
But what’s fascinating as far as how video is distributed and how it can be interacted with, is the direction it now appears to be going. Video is no longer one dimensional. Instead, it is becoming three dimensional.
Just like Google Maps Street View allows users to interact with a static, three-dimensional view of a street or map location, a type of video is now appearing allowing users to change the view and direction of the camera in a video. And by changing the view, we’re not talking a few movements left and right. We’re talking about full, zoomable, 360 degree multi-directional camera angles.
Need convincing this is possible? Take a look at examples below from immersivemedia.com, click the play button and then drag the video in 360 degrees to pan around the viewport.
What does this hold for the future? Well it will only be a matter of time before we start seeing entire Hollywood movies shot this way. This would allow the viewer to interact and direct their own movie by choosing to view any actor they wish in a scene for example, and not just the way a director intended a movie to be shot. Just as the current movement on the Web is about customization and personalization, some video and movie makers may also allow customizable video by allowing the viewer to virtually direct his or her own movie cut.
As for other potential uses, how about watching a video of a rock band and being able to move the camera angle to your favorite band member or musician? Or following your favorite sports star on a team and being able to rotate a camera around each and every move (s)he makes? Or perhaps using immersive video for training and educational videos, such as teaching doctors and surgeons how to operate on internal organs?
As scary as it seems, it also seems plausible that one day, it might be possible to view live video of anywhere in the world (via satellite technology), and be able to pan around live video just like in the immersive media video previews above. Think about Google Street View but with realtime video. A scary thought indeed, but moral issues aside, it certainly seems technically possible. Especially for those who think that Big Brother are already watching us.
Do you think immersive, three-dimensional video will take off and become mainstream? Can you think of any other cool or useful ways this technology could be used? Share your thoughts in the comments!
We rejected hundreds of files this week, we accepted approximately 80, and out of those that we accepted into the FlashDen library, here are the cream of the crop. Congratulations to all the authors who produced the following files! And if you didn’t make it into this week’s Files of the Week, then you’ve got 7 more days to create and upload your brand new masterpiece!
A few weeks ago, FlashDen gave away 2 tickets to the WebDU Web Technology Conference held in Sydney, Australia.
One of the winners, Peter Moricz (Flashden user liquid_media), who incidentally is a freelance Flash designer and developer living and working in Sydney, Australia, was kind enough to answer a few questions we asked about the conference. You know, just to make sure he actually went and all.
