Creating Companion Ads

To differentiate the two elements of a companion ad, we refer to the leaderboard as "firstToLoad" and the cube as "secondToLoad."

Directions for "firstToLoad"

1. Create your animation - leaving frames 1 through 4 empty.
2. Create two layers: one called "actions" and one called "labels."
3. In the first frame of the actions layer, place the following ActionScript:

   * define functions to be carried out when ready to go */
   function setLCMethods() {
   	firstToLoad_lc.checkfirstToLoadLoad = function (num) {
   		random_num = num;
   		secondToLoadName = "secondToLoad" + random_num;
   		firstToLoadName = "firstToLoad" + random_num;
   		firstToLoad_lc.close();
   		firstToLoad_lc = new LocalConnection ();
   		firstToLoad_lc.connect(firstToLoadName);
   		setLCMethods();
   		firstToLoad_lc.send(secondToLoadName, "firstToLoadConfirm");
   		}
   	firstToLoad_lc.go_play = function (frame) {
   		gotoAndPlay (frame);
   }
   
   firstToLoad_lc.go_stop = function (frame) {
   	gotoAndStop (frame);
   	}
   }
   /* END define functions */
   
   /* establishment of local connection */
   function makeConnection() {
   	firstToLoad_lc = new LocalConnection ();
   	firstToLoad_lc.connect("firstToLoad");
   	setLCMethods();
   }
   /* END establishment of local connection */
   
   /* preload movies */
   function preloadMovies() {
   	var totalBytes = getBytesTotal();
   	var loadedBytes = getBytesLoaded();
   	var perLoaded = Math.round((loadedBytes / totalBytes) * 100);
   	if (perLoaded == 100) {
   		clearInterval(preloadMoviesInterval);
   		makeConnection();
   	}
   }
   preloadMoviesInterval = setInterval(preloadMovies, 100);
   /* END preload movies */
   
   
   /* looping variable */
   var numberOfLoops:Number = 0;
   /* END looping variable */
   
   stop();
   

4. Create a new keyframe in frame 5 of the labels layer. Highlight this new keyframe and give this frame the label "playfirstToLoad" in the properties panel. Your animation will begin on frame 5.
5. Create a new keyframe in frame 5 of the actions layer. This is the point at which your movie will stop looping. To change the point at which your movie stops looping, move this keyframe to a different location between frame 5 and the last frame of your movie. Put the following actions in this keyframe:

   if (numberOfLoops == 3) {
   	_root.stop();
   }
   else {
   	null;
   }
   

6. Create a new keyframe in the very last frame of your animation on the actions layer. Place the following actionscript on the last frame:

   numberOfLoops = numberOfLoops+1
   gotoAndPlay(5);
   

Directions for "secondToLoad"

1. Create your animation - leaving frames 1 through 4 empty.
2. Create two layers: one called "actions" and one called "labels."
3. In the first frame of the actions layer, place the following ActionScript:

   /* establishment of local connection */
   function makeConnection() {
   	secondToLoad_lc = new LocalConnection ();
   	secondToLoad_lc.connect(secondToLoadName);
   	setLCMethods();
   	checkfirstToLoadInterval = setInterval(checkfirstToLoad, 100);
   }
   /* END establishment of local connection */
   
   /* preload movies */
   function preloadMovies() {
   	var totalBytes = getBytesTotal();
   	var loadedBytes = getBytesLoaded();
   	var perLoaded = Math.round((loadedBytes / totalBytes) * 100);
   	if (perLoaded == 100) {
   		clearInterval(preloadMoviesInterval);
   	makeConnection();
   	}
   }
   
   function checkfirstToLoad() {
   	secondToLoad_lc.send("firstToLoad", "checkfirstToLoadLoad", random_num);
   }
   /* END preload movies */
   
   /* define functions to be carried out when ready to go */
   function setLCMethods() {
   	secondToLoad_lc.firstToLoadConfirm = function () {
   		clearInterval(checkfirstToLoadInterval);
   		readySteadyGo();
   		}
   }
   /* END define functions to be carried out when ready to go */
   
   /* gives the go ahead to play */
   function readySteadyGo() {
   	secondToLoad_lc.send(firstToLoadName, "go_play", "playFirstToLoad");
   	gotoAndPlay ("playSecondToLoad");
   }
   /* END gives the go ahead to play */
   
   /* variables */
   random_num = Math.round(Math.random() * 10000);
   secondToLoadName = "secondToLoad" + random_num;
   firstToLoadName = "firstToLoad" + random_num;
   preloadMoviesInterval = setInterval(preloadMovies, 100);
   var numberOfLoops:Number = 0;
   /* END variables */
   
   stop();
   

4. Create a new keyframe in frame 5 of the labels layer. Highlight this new keyframe and give this frame the label "playsecondToLoad" in the properties panel. Your animation will begin on frame 5.
5. Create a new keyframe in frame 5 of the actions layer. This is the point at which your movie will end. To change the point at which your movie stops looping, move this segment of actionscript to a different location between frame 5 and the last frame of your movie. Put the following actions on frame 5:

   if (numberOfLoops == 3) {
   	_root.stop();
   }
   else {
   	null;
   }
   

6. Create a new keyframe in the very last frame of your animation on the actions layer. Place the following actionscript on the last frame:

   numberOfLoops = numberOfLoops+1
   gotoAndPlay(5);
   

For more information about advertising and creative specifications, please contact Thom Smith at 410-464-2886 ext. 251.