How to Add Flash FLA Files to a Page in Dreamweaver CS4

Adobe Dreamweaver

The way Dreamweaver handles embedding Flash video (in .fla format) to a page has changed in Adobe Dreamweaver CS4. It's still very easy to do, but now it complies with web standards. Here is how to do it.

Things You'll Need

• Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 software
• Adobe Flash CS4 Video encoder

Instructions

1. Video from cameras, phones and other devices can be converted to FLA files using the Adobe Flash CS4 Video encoder. Decode in advance whether you want to use Progressive Download or Streaming to play the video. If you choose streaming, be sure you have a server that is a Flash Media Server.

2. Open a page in Dreamweaver and place the cursor where you want the video insertion point to be.

3. Choose Insert > Media > FLV. A Insert FLV dialog opens. Decide whether to make the Video type Progressive Download or Streaming. Choose the Skin you want for the player and set a width and height. If you want Auto Play or Auto Rewind, select the appropriate checkboxes. Click OK.

4. Save the page. Use Live View or preview the file in a browser to see the video.

5. In this process you see a message from Dreamweaver telling you that you need to save the dependent files swffix_modified.js and expressinstall.swf into the Scripts folder. Click OK to do this. When you upload the page to the server, upload the HTML page, The FLA file and the Scripts folder.

Tips & Warnings

• A progressive download will continue to download during playback. These files play on any server.

• A streaming video allows the user to move the playhead around to seek a particular spot. It must be hosted on a Flash Media Server.

• There was an "active content" script in older versions of Dreamweaver that required Internet Explorer users to accept the active content in order to view the movie. That is gone in the CS4 version of Dreamweaver.

• The OBJECT tag is now used to embed the movie, rather than the deprecated EMBED tag.

• The Express Installer script gives you an in-place Flash Player installation right on your web page.