Shozam Community

 Although I like the Flash Intro Animations used by Shozam, I feel there may be a time where you need a static image for the Intro such as a logo or a photo with text on it.  There is no setting to disable the Intro Animation that I can find and Shozam won't let you blank out the file.

I came up with a solution to fool Shozam by replacing the Background Intro Image with my own and creating an album with 1X1 pixel transparent .gifs to run hidden for the animation.  The example is below:

Static Image Intro

It would be much easier to just replace the animation file with a blank one to make Shozam happy.  I don't have anything to create or modify one with and I was wondering if anybody out there has created one?

Or, is there a file buried somewhere inside Shozam that will do that?

Thanks.

Cowboy

 Cowboy,

I used coffecup flash firestarter to do my intro animations on my website, one I use in Shozam's gallery. It is easy to use and relatively inexpensive. Can be found at coffeecup.com. You could probably make what you need with the trial version and wouldn't need it anymore. Or if you want I could make you one with a black screen only. Would just need to know the size you need. 

Cowboy,

I have been experimenting with Shozam since doing some work for a friend. (We spoke a few times before)

I have found the possibilities endless using SwishMax to generate my own intro .swf's.
They can be static
They can have any number of "effects", or transitions.
They can have buttons and links.
They can have gradients,shapes, transitions,etc.
You can adjust the speed of the intro photo displays. (Something I would like to see in Shozam, as I feel they move a bit slow. They could use a frame/sec adjustment for the intro)
They have great forums and support.

Generate a 543x476 BG or movie .swf (static or otherwise) in Swishmax and insert it in the theme customization panel.
That's it. http://www.swishzone.com/index.php?area=products&product=max

The program is very user friendly and runs $99.95. I have done a number of trials. I have not uploaded one to my clients site yet
until she gives me the ok when she finishes her custom photos, BG's, script etc. She purchased the Shozam program and rightfully insists I only develope her site with her prior ok to upload.

It does work very well. I have generated galleries and used swf's with forward/back and outside links and they all work flawless in the generated intro.

Good luck, expand your horizons.

J.Storck

 Thanks all.

The blank one that Rick suggested is probably what I want.  I'll try it and see.

Cowboy 

 The blank.swf did the trick.

It overwrites the original intro.swf but I can live with that.  Always grab another one if I want to revert.

Might try that Firestarter sometime if I really want to fool with flash.  I use Coffecup's flash form builder now and it is a piece of cake plus works good.

 Cowboy
 

Cowboy, I was reading your tutorial on black marble theme I was wonding with program you use to make custom banners and headers? I use banner maker pro. you make some nice banners nice color fade.

 Rick,

For solid color banners & menu/footer bar images, I use Paint Shop Pro 6 with resolution set at 200 pixels/inch.  It is ancient but works fine.  Also, use it a lot to modify images like crop, buttonize, add borders, etc.

If I want a textured image, I use the Button Maker at GRSites.com & then add borders with Paint Shop Pro or whatever else I want to do.  The have over 5000 background textures to choose from or you can upload your own.  I got the background image for the Black Marble theme there.

They have a lot of free stuff there.  Only drawback is that servers are awful slow at times so you need to be patient.

Cowboy