How to see the Flash code?

nerdgirl · June 19th, 2008, 03:35 PM

Folks:

I've been given the task of taking care of a Flash website. I received the already-created files and am not sure how to proceed. The files use extentions .fla, .swf, and .as.

When I try to open the files, I receive a message saying windows cannot open the file, and then asks if I want to search for a program.

So, how do I open the files to look at the coding? What kind of specific program do I need to have installed to get inside the code?

I'm just getting started with this, so please excuse my dumbness.

Thanks,
ng

EXreaction · June 19th, 2008, 04:05 PM

You need Flash
Adobe - Flash CS3 Professional, Interactive Multimedia, Interactive Design

mouser45 · June 19th, 2008, 05:12 PM

You need to simply right click the flash files and choose open with. Choose your browser, like Firefox or Internet Explorer.

EXreaction · June 19th, 2008, 05:51 PM

You can not edit it with a web browser.

nerdgirl · June 24th, 2008, 07:08 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I do have Flash MX from a few years back, but I've never used it. Can I open the .swf and .fla files using that to see the code?

Thanks,
ng

nerdgirl · June 24th, 2008, 11:54 PM

Folks:

I tried to open a .fla file using Macromedia Flash MX. The file would not open and gave the error "Unexpected file format".

I then tried to open it with Dreamweaver MX. The file would not open and gave the error "Failed to open document".

I just right clicked on the .fla file and selected "open with" and then tried to open it with the two programs.

Am I doing something wrong? I want to view and possibly edit the code.

Thank you in advance for any and all help. I am pretty new to the website stuff.

-ng

EXreaction · June 25th, 2008, 01:02 AM

Yes, Flash MX should work. That is assuming that Adobe didn't make major changes to flash that would break backwards compatibility.

ShyguyXPC · June 25th, 2008, 02:08 AM

try loading Flash or Dreamweaver first then open the file from with in... I just did that with Flash 8 & was able to open at least one .fla file, how ever one other was protected & wouldn't open...

but worth a try.

otherwise maybe load the programs see if you can import & (as far as Flash 8 is concerned, but Flash MX should be similar) Open as a Library the files in question...