Adobe Image Ready

rollover animations

[brdwlsh]

hi-

i am creating a page in image-ready that contains rollovers which start animations.

example:
when the user rolls over a picture of blue widgets, the pic slides down a bit, then from off-screen the title slides in and rests on top of the picture.

this works well in firefox.

my problem is with explorer. as soon as the image is rolled over, the end result can be seen for a split second before the animation begins--this is distracting and annoying. there are other random inconsistencies as well.

is explorer typically known for not supporting image ready well?

is there any way to fix this problem by tweaking the image ready file?

is fireworks the equivalent of image ready? does it require a plugin to view?

are there any programs out there that will do this with better explorer support?

p.s. i've already briefed the client about unecessary animations, SEO considerations, and javascript in code. also, i am not permitted to use flash.

thank you

[Philip Hastings]

What is the objection to Flash if the technology permits you to create, cleaner, faster, smaller, smoother looking work? The requirement for a plug-in? If that's the case, you may want to consider your audience - are they computer saavy? If so, then you've handled your clients' objection, end of story if not, you may want to include some plug-in detection script(s) and have a "dumbed downed" version of the animation locked and loaded if that's the case.

Simplicity is underrated.

pvh

[brdwlsh]

my client doesn't have the plug-in. he doesn't want the plug-in. he has a serious bias towards flash. i tried to talk him into getting the plug-in and allowing me to use flash but he is not willing to budge.

i thouroughly went through the advantages but he has something personal against flash--i dont get it. our contract reflects my input.

he is paying me to build this page using anything but flash. i was hoping to get away with using image ready or a similar program. i guess i will have to use javascript--which i know very little about. if it doesn't work for people that have js turned off, then too bad for client. he will get what he paid for and i will have the peace of mind of knowing that i provided quality work within the parameters of the project.

i'm still hoping there is another program out there that will produce rollover animations like image ready does. i'll be on versiontracker for a while.

[benihana]

i will have to use javascript

imageready will have been producing javascript anyway. the trouble is programs that allow wyswig control of javascript often produce messy code, and this can cause problems like you are experiencing now.

i agree with philip, using flash is the way to go for this sort of project (if there is anyway you can possibly persuade the client :().

the flash user base is comparable to javascript (particuarily if the script doesnt work in ie :( ), and if theyve got the plugin - its pretty solid and reliable.

[brdwlsh]

wish i could use flash.

the rollover animations look good, the first time they are activated. the second time that they are activated (IE 5+) is when the problems occur.

it must be because the images are cached, or something along those lines. i wonder if there is a way to prevent explorer from doing this.

***edit
this problem is only occurs with macintosh explorer, 5x. i just tested on a pc, IE5x, no problems!
***edit