[HughB]

Hi,

Check out this new component we're working on. Useful for menu or a tag cloud.

We have discussed this component in blog entry - Case Study: ‘word sphere’ menu.

Aside - Don't forget to subscribe to the blog RSS feed to get the latest news from SWiSHzone.com. Click Here To Subscribe via RSS.

I've attached the component (SWI and SWF) here for download and review. We'll blog a description of the component soon and we're already using it as a tag cloud on our blog. We'll blog about how that's done too...very soon.

To install the component copy the contents of the zip file to \components\menu\. Use F5 to refresh your Component Panel and drag/drop it onto the stage. To look inside select the object in the Outline Panel use the SWiSH Max2 menu Modify | Object Attributes and de-select "Read only script", "Conceal script" and "Conceal child object" attributes.

Please give us feedback and we'd be pleased if you can find a use for it and expand on it for everyone to benefit.

thanks,

Hugh

SPECIAL NOTE:
This component uses SWiSH Max2 build 20080505 (or later if available) - download the latest pre-release build CLICK HERE.

Attached File(s)

•  Menu_wordsphere_20080530.zip (35.08K)
  Number of downloads: 470
•  wordpress_plugin_swishzone_tag_cloud.zip (128.4K)
  Number of downloads: 420

[Jon Herron]

Hi,

There was one aspect of the sphere that was bugging me, the initial point spacing algorithm. Not only was it slow (causing slow loading) it was Order N squared, meaning that if the number of points double, the time to load increases by 4. This makes it pretty much dis functional if the number of tags was to reach say 100. (ie 100 times slower than loading 10 tags).

I have made changes to the initial position allocation routine that fixes these issues. Loading time is much improved and is acceptable even with 100 tags. Another advantage of the new routine is that the tags are sorted according to their order in the tag list. The first tag is placed at the north pole and other tags are then place successively south.

Jon

Attached File(s)

•  Menu_wordsphere_20080602.zip (16.38K)
  Number of downloads: 240

[infidelesto]

Jon Herron, on Jun 2 2008, 11:06 AM, said:

Hi,

There was one aspect of the sphere that was bugging me, the initial point spacing algorithm. Not only was it slow (causing slow loading) it was Order N squared, meaning that if the number of points double, the time to load increases by 4. This makes it pretty much dis functional if the number of tags was to reach say 100. (ie 100 times slower than loading 10 tags).

I have made changes to the initial position allocation routine that fixes these issues. Loading time is much improved and is acceptable even with 100 tags. Another advantage of the new routine is that the tags are sorted according to their order in the tag list. The first tag is placed at the north pole and other tags are then place successively south.

Jon

Any idea how to make these improvements for the Wordpress plugin?

[Jon Herron]

The improvements I was referring to have been implemented in the zip file that was attached to my post.
The improvements only apply to the swishmax component, not the wordpress php files.

Jon

[Psionic3D]

I was thinking of using this as a menu system in a game, is there anyway to on click goto a scene or label as opposed to a URL??

Awesome work BTW!!

EDIT: Just found conceal child objects in Object Attributes, now I can work on the button script itself, THANKS again for a cool component!!

[Jon Herron]

Hi,

The latest version of the wordsphere (v1.8) which is shipped with the 20080617 pre release build of Max2 has the ability for you to define an Events function within the Advanced Group.

format is
function Events(name,value)

The value parameter is the tagname associated with the sphere.

You could code your game simply be adding the appropriate Events function.

Jon

[Psionic3D]

Wow, had no idea there was a new version out and with lots of new components, Cool!! Downloading now!! and thanks for the info, much appreciated!!

I simply added numbers in the reference slots, 1,2 3, etc and used an if Aux == 1 then goto scene, goto n play etc, works fine and its a very cool system, Thanks for a great component!!

[angelaq]

It's not showing in my sidebar. The preloader runs, and then I get a part of a "php file failed to load" error statement.

I love wordpress and I use it for lots of things. But it seems to be getting unfriendlier all the time.

Boohoo, I can't open the component without the prerelease. Any idea when that's going to become a regular release?

[Jon Herron]

Hi,

The prerelease will become the main release after it has been tested for a reasonable amount of time and not shown any major bugs.

You are welcome to download and use the prerelease but note that .swi files saved by it will not open with release version of Max2. Links are published in the Max2 - Bugs forum.

Regarding the wordpress plugin, check that the Tag Filename has the correct format and can be read from a browser window. Note that because of cross domain scripting policies, the page containing the wordcloud should be loaded onto the same server that publishes the tags.

Jon

[foofoo]

Hello,

Want to use the wordsphere inside a Director app. So I want to use Lingo scripts.
Usually when I use flash and want Lingo scripts, I use
getURL("lingo:go to frame 10"); for example..

When I uise this inside the sphere from Swift It doesn't work..

Hope to hear soon,

M

[stevegalante]

Psionic3D, on Jun 18 2008, 06:39 AM, said:

Wow, had no idea there was a new version out and with lots of new components, Cool!! Downloading now!! and thanks for the info, much appreciated!!

I simply added numbers in the reference slots, 1,2 3, etc and used an if Aux == 1 then goto scene, goto n play etc, works fine and its a very cool system, Thanks for a great component!!

Hi, can you please show a bit of this code ? And where exactly have you put it ? Thanks !!!

[Jon Herron]

Hi,

If the parameters panel is not visible, you can open it using the menu command Window / Parameters

The displayed words can be shown / altered in the Static Tags section of the parameters panel.

If you want to use an Event fuction, define its name in the Advanced section.

Please see the pinned topic on Event Functions for more information on how to use the function.

The 2nd parameter will correspond to the Reference field of the static tags.

Regards,

Jon

[stevegalante]

Thank you John very helpful !

[milind]

hi,

i like component but i would like to impliment in my static website using external file which is very simple to edit my tag cloud is it possible to impliment ?

please help me out.

Thanks
Milind

[OutCast**NL]

With the latest version you can,....
just enter the path to the file in the parameter panel.

For more info, read here and/ or here