[Zope] Announce: Where's the zope? => new version SwiftGenerator

[Jason Cunliffe]

Hello 

I hope you do not consider this off-topic. This post is intended as food
for thought and not advocacy.

Zope is notable for its flexible handling of web object structures. But the
web (and especially the commercial web) is notable for its hunger for
graphics and multimedia. 

One of the few systems even attempting to create a dynamic platform for
this is the combination of Macromedias 'Flash Generator' 

http://www.macromedia.com/software/generator/
which is often combined with Allaire's ColdFusion...  

So where does Zope fit in?? 

1. SERVER-SIDE MEULTIMEDIA
The intrepid Olivier Debon has posted his latest version of SwiftGenerator


http://www.swift-tools.com/

It is an obvious candidate tool for use with Zope. Unfortunately, like
Macromdedia's own Generator, SwiftGenerator does not generate vector
garphics from nothing. It is rather a programable editing tool for prepared
garghics and interactive vector graphics. Text can be generated and
atrributes and relationships likewise. Both 'Generators' need Macrodmedia
Flash as an authoring tool to prepare content. SwiftGenerator has a huge
price advantage.[free download]  

2. ZOPE MISSING ???
Either way, it is interesting to note that Zope/Python are _not_ present on
the listing at the Generator Developers' Network homepage:

http://www.gendev.net/

3. C LIBRARY FOR WRITNG FLASH MOVIES
To generate openSWF(FLash) vector files without the Flash applications, it
would be necessary to apply/extend Parul Heberli's openSWF library. This
could be done via Python and then used as advanced multimedia vector
version of PIL (Python Imaging Library).

http://reality.sgi.com/grafica/flash/DOC.html

4. RESOURCES

http://www.gendev.net/swf/
The SWiFF Info Center has several useful links including to source for C++
swf parser

Consider the spec list below. 

How could/should this be implemented/surpassed using Zope ?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Swift-Generator is a simple replacement for Macromedia Generator utility.
It aims at
generating dynamic Flash content.
Swift-Generator can replace:
· Texts (size, alignment, kerning, color, transparency and font),
· Textfields (Flash 4),
· Fonts,
· Sounds,
· Images,
· Movie Clips,
· Action parameters (in frames or buttons).
It can be used as a CGI program for HTTP servers like Apache, or just as a
separate utility called to produce a new Flash file whenever it needs to be
updated
(crontab, schedulers, ...)

·	Platforms 
·	Linux (x86/MIPS). 
·	FreeBSD 3.1 (x86). 
·	Solaris 2.X (Sparc). 
·	Windows 95/98/NT. 
·	MacOSX. 
·	OS2. 
·	BSDi 3.1. 

·	Flash Operations 
·	Text replacement 
·	Text color and height modification 
·	Text Kerning and Vertical spacing 
·	Text Alignment 
·	Font replacement 
·	Sound replacement 
·	Movie Clip replacement 
·	Image replacement 
·	Accept either Template or Flash files 
·	Variable substitution 
·	Action parameters substitution for: 
·	GetURL (URL/Target) 
·	FS Command (Command/Parameters) 
·	Load Movie (URL/Level#) 
·	Unload Movie (Level#) 
·	Tell Target (Target) 
·	Generation 
·	Script based 
·	CGI 1.1 compliant 
·	Off-line generation 
·	Generate size-optimized flash output 
·	Web 
·	Referer control list 
·	Success Stories with: 
·	Apache (Unix/Win32) 
·	Microsoft IIS 
·	Personal Web Server 
·	Sambar Server 
·	Cold Fusion 
·	Xitami (Unix/Win32) 
·	Roxen 
·	.... 

-------------------------------------

- Jason
-------------------------------------------------
Jason Cunliffe  <jasonic@nomadicsltd.com>
NOMADICS.STUDIO(Design Director)
Geo-Digital Arts and Technology
Le Vieux Moulin,  Route de Mons
83440  SEILLANS,  FRANCE
Tel: +33 (0)4 94.76.98.72    
Fax: +33 (0)4 94.76.97.77