I am looking for scalability for an existing custom interface for small and large resolution displays.

Hello,

My client is wanting to have an existing interface that is built with a custom frameset to scale depending on the resolution of the browser. Each Frame has a flash element that he wishes to scale proportionately with the interface.

Currently the interface is constrained to 800/600 in a center frame and the outside area of the interface scales a blank area.

Being a designer and not a true programmer, before I venture deep into the tables and frames of this interface, I thought I could get some feedback on the best way to handle this project. Or if it is even possible just using the frames.

My current issue that I am having is the proportions of the flash and the frames. If I set the tables to a percent rather than a set pixel size it doesn't effect the frame size. If I set the frames to increase in size it doesn't constrain the proportions of the tables and the flash inside.

Below is a sample of the existing interface as it is now.
Untitled Document

And here is a snap shot of the interface in Dreamweaver.
http://gdl3d.com/dev/cw/cs/DW_FRAMESET.jpg

I really appreciate any feedback or direction you can give.

Thanks,

neven.

yes i would also like to know how to resize and scale depending on the screens resolution


Intro - XenoSage

its centerd for 800/600 right now

i am a designer and programmer yet i dont kno exactly how to do it with the webbuilder i use (wysiwyg)

Setting the size of things according to the browswer (actually the the res set on
the users box,) is goign to take a bit more than what you are trying to do.

The best way to do this is use javascript to first determine the screen res of the
user. Then pull in a specific css document for the res being used.

Frames isn't the best way to go either. I would use css positioning (divs)

Plus do you have access to php or asp? You can set paramaters in either of
these and then bring those params into the flash movie.

This way everything will work accordingly...

If you're not going to go all the way with it, I would first, try to talk my client
out of it; if this isn't an option, then I would just go with css positioning and use
percentages. This method will work if your Flash movie is set to scale. If you are
using any jpegs with this it isn't going to work well... better if you are using the
vector art within flash..

Thanks so much for the reply and direction. I was thinking that Javascript was going to have to be the way to go, since I have experience with a script for resolution recognition.

The center frame of this application is actually a Java application made by an industrial HVAC corporation. Called Tridium AX (the newest version), they are touting that the new system can actually scale the interface to larger resolutions on the fly. Since the Java application uses bitmaps for the interface and overlaid animations, I am curious to see just how this will look. Considering the interfaces are Gifs and they are are originally rendered at 800/600.

I have already warned my client of the reasoning behind enlarging the flash swfs, considering some of the elements in the flash swfs are bitmaps. I asked if he would want me to convert the design to vector, but he doesn't seem to think that is is necessary. We'll have to see how it looks.

As for the CSS idea, I didn't think of that as an approach. That is a great idea, and it will offer much more flexibility than frames. Though it does seem like a bit of work for sure in the set up.

Thanks so much for your input as it has confirmed much, and added much to the approach.

Btw: I do have access to PHP on my dev server, but I am not sure about the client's server config.

For the record;

I think I will have to use frames & CSS in the end, since the current configuration of the site allows the user to only refresh the area where the Control System Java Application (Tridium AX) resides. In other words, the center frame area.

Using CSS and div tags will still require the user to refresh the entire browser page prior to viewing the next area of the Control System. The system is used to control Cooling Tower's, Temperatures, Fans, Dampers, and basically entire buildings. The users of the interface are regularly going from area to area to control a different parts of a building. The desire is to have minimal refreshing of the interface so that the information is served up quickly and smoothly. Thus being more aesthetically appealing and functional.

I think that CSS will have to be set up to have 3-5 different resolutions and framesets. This way the Javascript would detect a resolution and pull one of the ready made framesets and CSS files. It may not be an exact fit, but this would allow for a full size interface for the user, and the CSS would assure the correct usage of flash files and such.

Sounds like a plan but indeed a big project Indeed.

If you have a moment to comment on the the plan of attack above I would be very grateful.

Thanks,

neven

neven: Using CSS and div tags will still require the user to refresh the
entire browser page prior to viewing the next area of the Control System.

Actually this would be a perfect place to use an iFrame. However, I do
understand that when you come in on a project and decide that there is a
better way to do it. the client doesn't always understand and isn't willing to
shell out more money for something they consider already done...

Actually, in this situation I'm not sure why they split the Flash file up like this. It
seems to me that the entire application could have been built using one Flash file.
Oh well...

From your perspective, neven, it does look like you are probalbly making the wise
choice in keeping with frames.

Have fun with the project..!!

I don't believe flash will import the Java Application (Tridium AX) that needs to be in the center frame. This is why the flash application is split up.

Also, I think with Iframes, their are small compatibility issues with some browsers?

Plus I have read Lisa's description on the difference between Frames and Iframes, but I can't find any really good examples of the use of Iframes. At least some that would show the capabilites of what I am trying to do with a split flash or split graphic interface.

I was under the impression that Iframes will still require the entire page to refresh if their is dynamic data being pulled into the updated area. Uh... Don't know if that makes sense.

Since the frameset is already constructed, I may just use the existing one and create 3-5 size variations. Then using the Javascript for the pulling. That may save time, since I don't currently have experience with Iframes and I haven't seen many impressive examples.

Thanks again for your input ChipJohns! You have been very helpful.

I think sticking with the existing frameset is the best way to go too.

One small suggestion for you to consider- Is the server that is hosting this
running php or asp? What I would do is, instead of having different sets of
pages for different resolutions, I would use dynamically generated variables
that will set the size.

The sniffer determines the res, and then a script assigns the varialbes
accordingly. Your framesets will use these variables to set the size. Much easier,
and much more effecient..

Since the installations of the servers are on an intranet and rarely have outside access, I am not sure of the configuration or languages.

I passed on your suggestion to my client this morning. I am hoping that he will be able to shed some light on the topic of what languages are present. Not being a programmer myself, I may have to look to outside sources for help with the programming.

I have a few people that I work with from time to time, but I will need to see if they are available. They have been swamped lately. I would say that's a good thing though.

I'll let you know what he says about the whole deal. Ti'll then thanks for all the hand holding

-neven

Well then... This just got a little more complicated indeed.

Having experience with these control systems in the past, I was under the impression that this upgrade to the interface was going to be installed on the new systems. Servers only. Though I just found out that it is intended to be retro-installed on previous versions of the system.

This means that the installs of this "variable frameset" needs to be compatible with the equipment they have on site. This equipment is running the Java Virtual Machine and has no other language capability other than HTML and JavaScript. It's basically a control box with no hard drive. So no PHP or ASP is possible unfortunately.

To complicate things a bit further, we are looking at a finite amount of space to install the entire solution. Though I don't think the prior mentioned solution is necessarily out of the question, their needs to be some further determination regarding the total file size and range of capability.

I have a meeting the "one who pays the bills", at the end of the week. Hopefully, we can decide on how to proceed. I plan on showing him how we may cut some corners by cutting out some of the flash and maybe a frame or 2.

We'll have to see. Thanks again for your direction ChipJohns. I will let you and my new favorite web development community how it goes. Til then, have a good one!

One good thing about the situation ... Something I always stress to my clients.

"You can only have two of the three...

You can have ...

1. Inexspensive;
2. Fast;
3. Good ..."

You Choose which two you want...

*They don't want to install php (Which is free!)... I get to charge more...

I've never worked with anything like that so it's a bit over my head (Tridium AX)

It's still going to be a fun project...(hopefully either you're charging by the hour; or, its a project that you REALLY want to do.) --

Quite a long discussion

My client is wanting to have an existing interface that is built with a custom frameset to scale depending on the resolution of the browser. Each Frame has a flash element that he wishes to scale proportionately with the interface.

It should be possible, IM sorry I didnt read trough the entire topic loads of text and for the flash element to autoresize there should be a PARAM TAG

hope it worked out Hi Saadat

Originally Posted by ChipJohns

You can have ...

1. Inexspensive;
2. Fast;
3. Good ..."

You Choose which two you want...

*They don't want to install php (Which is free!)... I get to charge more...
--

Sorry for the delayed reply. For some reason, I am not getting your responses in my email. Out of this whole thread, I have only gotten one. I have selected the notification drop down.

Well that is all good advice for sure. I like the way that sounds.!

Yeah, for now he is just wanting some hand holding. He started me off with a retainer for the beginning of a video production that I am working on. Then the next day, in came the interface questions. He is still mulling it over. He is a Java programmer, but has little experience with web. For now, I am just giving him direction on the interface and he is planning on making the adjustments –until he gets stuck that is.

And yes, I am billing by the hour. Though apart from consultation here, I haven't put hand to keyboard. Since your guidance has been so great, I have just been passing the ideas on. Hopefully I can return the favor someday.

Btw... Tridium Niagra AX is an interface component that offers communications with Siemens controllers. Check outTridium AX. here.

I will be assisting in building 3D components for the new AX system. This way the interfaces finally look like the movies of yesteryear. It's amazing how outdated all this stuff looks. And these guys are on the cutting edge. It makes me think of the 1st Mission Impossible back in the early 90's. When Emelio Estevez was hacking into a building. The interfaces of today aren't even there yet.

My client is looking to cut some of the frames out of the frameset and is now fiddling with the code of the interface. My guess is, i'll be back in a week or so with more questions, and possibly some work for you ChipJohn in programming if your up to it. Since I will be managing the interface mostly. I will keep you posted on that.

In the mean time I will be working on the new brand for the company and prepping for the video production.

If you have any questions about graphics or video production, please don't hesitate to ask. That would be my specialty.

Btw.. sorry I am so longwinded. Thanks again all!

I love it when someone with 2 lifetime posts wakes up a 2 year old thread just to drop a link...