- Make sure the video you will use is the correct size for your layout / need. If for example you want the video in your portfolio to be smaller, re-output through Adobe Media Encoder…or Premiere if you still have the source file. Make it smaller but keep the aspect ratio the same! Widescreen should stay widescreen, 3:4 should stay 3:4. Keep output as H.264 and use Youtube Widescreen SD (standard definition).
- Create new Flash document, adjust file size of the Flash file to the size of your video. Save in the same location as your video – create a folder to hold everything.
- In Flash, go to File->Import->Import Video
- Browse and select your video, keeping “load external video with playback component” selected. This will create a link between the video, the skin, and your Flash file.
- On the skinning page, in the drop down to select your skin choose the bottom option. You may use any one that you want, but we have had the most luck across most browsers with the bottom option. Adjust color as desired.
- You will get a review page, outlining your settings before import. Continue
- Once the video is imported onto your screen, you will have to increase the height of your Flash movie (through document properties). Depending on the size of your skin, your height may have to increase 35, pixels, 40 pixels, etc. Trial and error until you find perfection.
- Preview your file (ctrl + enter) to test functionality.
- If you want to stop the video from auto playing you will have to open the component inspector. With the video selected, go to your properties tab, and you will find a small button that has three multicolored cubes and a pencil. Clicking on this button will bring up a small floating dialogue where you can turn auto play to false.
- Don’t worry about seeing the corners of your Flash background under the left and right hand corners of your skin. Match the Flash background with the color of your layout, or use our CAWD resource section to turn the Flash background transparent.
- When happy, publish your file (shift+F12), and place in valid xhtml/css document using the object code.
- When moving/uploading files, do NOT adjust their relationships/orientations to each other. The Flash file is working with the skin, which is working with the video file, etc. If you move any of the elements around you may create errors / non functional files.