Digital Workshop

Hope someone can clear up something for me.

I'm developing a publication which uses arrays in opusscript. The contents of the arrays are then displayed using constant expressions as shown in the screenshot.

All works perfectly when published as an Opus pro file, but when it is published as a flex file the boxes are blank.

I've searched the forum, and i'm not clear whether the problem is that flex can't handle arrays or constant expressions.

Any clarification would be most welcome.

Look in Help >> Opusscript help.
click the index tab.
Search for Flex.

You will get a page showing the Opusscript functions supported in Flex.
Anything not on this list is unlikely to work.
Before you start working with Flex it's a good idea to find out what works and what doesn't.

This might help you.

viewtopic.php?t=1801&highlight=flex+array

Paul

Hi Paul,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Had looked at the list you refer to, but couldn't find a reference to arrays. I guess "inserted variables" covers it. The post you refer to is the one that confused me a little since it implies that arrays are not supported, yet when I publish Brendan's example as a flex file it works!

Luckily my publication is designed to be a standalone file. Was just hoping that if I could publish as a flex file it would be more versatile for the end user.

I would consider this quite a weakness in flex. Oh well, never mind.

Hi staffam,

I think the issue is slightly confused. Flex will handle arrays, as in Brendon's example - what it won't do is display them as Constant Expressions. Brendon has used a work around by using the array function with in a script action and passing the result to a variable which can be displayed on screen.

You'd need to use variables in each box instead of the array[index] and control their values from within a script. Personally as you are producing Business Studies activities for UK education, I would seriously consider publishing to Plexus for the online side as this allows access to 99% of the functions available in Opus standalone publications.

Mack

Hi Mack,

Thanks for your usual great advice.

I've created a tool for teachers to create their own "mix and match" activities. The words and definitions are randomised (using a script I adapted from your Opus functions publication!) and placed into arrays, which are then displayed in the boxes on screen.

As you say, this works perfectly when published as a Plexus publication, but I know from experience that trying to get plugins installed on a school network is an additional hurdle I could do without. That's why I've always avoided using it.

I originally designed it to create stand alone files to be used on an interactive whiteboard. Just thought it would be an added benefit if it could produce a swf file that could then be used via Moodle.

Talking of Moodle, I notice you have a course to learn Opus scripting on your LMS. Are there plans to allow people to access this course? (I'm willing to pay! )

Thanks again for your advice

Cheers Adrian,

Glad it helps. it's amazing how many projects need to randomise arrays

I'm sorry you find that the Plexus plugin causes problem as the potential is far superior to flash and silverlight - IMHO.

As for moodle, it is something that we are looking at seriously at present and as both Opus and the LMS are now working towards full SCORM functionality - it makes it a powerful combo. The Opus sample course on out website was for evaluation purposes and whether we will look at developing it further or focusing on educational SCOs depends on several factors that are still under consideration.

Mack

Mack,

Thanks for letting me know about the sample Opus course. I couldn't agree more about the potential of having full SCORM functionality in Opus.

As for Plexus, from what I've seen this weekend I have to say I'm very impressed. I'll talk to my school's ICT Technicians tomorrow in order to see whether installing it across a school network is viable.

Thanks again for your advice,

Adrian

As an ex-ICT Coordinator / Network manager I know that it's possilbe and on something like an RM network should be a simple as creating a package for distrobution and then pushing it to the clients.

Plexus is available as an installer rather than through the web browser installation which is probably an easier method for a network.

Mack