start with random frame

[sarak]

Each time my movie loads, I would like it to start at a random frame. I've used the following code in my movie and it works just fine in flash player. I'm using Flash MX and publishing it in Flash 5 format. However, in my browser, my movie starts at the beginning every time.

Here's what I have in the first frame of my movie after the preloader:

x = (13 + Math.floor(Math.random()*(280-13+1)));
gotoAndPlay(x);

The random-ness doesn't appear to be the problem since it still doesn't work with I simply put

gotoAndPlay(230);

Any ideas as to what's going wrong? Thanks!

 

[rgstewart]

Why not put that code as completion statement in the preload loop (i.e. IF all of the movie is loaded, go to frame (random) and play). Sounds like you have "IF all of the movie has loaded, go to frame X", where frame X contains the above script. No point sending the timeline to the instructions about where to send the timeline now, is there?! _____________________________________________________
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[oldnewbie]

Works fine for me! Assuming the generated number(you can trace it with trace(x); ), exists in the movie. If it doesn't it should go to the last existing frame of your movie. Regards,

 

[Frihi]

I still use the old "random()". It works as well or better than the new "Math.random()" even in MX. Just put

YourMovie.GoToAndStop(random(Number of Frames +1));

The only problem I have not resolved yet, is that sometimes the random comes up several times with the same number. Does anybody know how to prevent this?

 

[BigBadDave]

Well that is random isn't it? Regards

David Byng

http://www.byngdesigns.co.uk

davidbyng@hotmail.com

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[BigBadDave]

The problem is its pseudo random and not true random Regards

David Byng

http://www.byngdesigns.co.uk

davidbyng@hotmail.com

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[oldnewbie]

You can at least store the current "pseudo" ramdom generated number in a variable (prev_random = x), and compare it on the next call (before sending it to the frame) to the current number, and if equal, generate a new number. That way, chances are, you won't get the same number at least twice in a row, which as BBD as suggested, is in fact a random number.

You could also each time, store the generated number in an array, compare the current number with all the ones in the array, and generate a new number if a match is found. Regards,

 

[sarak]

After giving up in frustration a couple of months ago, I have returned to this problem. (THANK YOU oldnewbie, BigBadDave, frihi and rgstewart for posting responses!).

I'm tempted to think that I'm encountering a bug in flash MX with the gotoAndPlay action. Below are the links to both my swf and fla files. Although the action gotoAndPlay(250); is in the main timeline, it's getting stuck between the first and second movie clips. Any ideas?? I'm not giving up this time!

SWF:

http://grape.insight-graphics.com/~sara/trilar/sidebar3.swf

FLA:

http://grape.insight-graphics.com/~sara/trilar/sidebar3.fla

 

[oldnewbie]

Works for me!
Added a frame identification on frame 250, and change your goto to a gotoAndStop(250);. Sure enough, it went to frame 250 and stopped! Regards,