Dean's Director FAQ - CROSS PLATFORM DEV
Another FAQ exists at
MediaMacros, which
is new and extensive.
CrossPlatform and CD-ROM development
Question: Can I create a Mac projector on a PC or a PC projector on
a Mac?
Answer:
If you have Director MX 2004, the answer is yes. If you have Director
MX or earlier, the answer is no. With DMX 2004, you can produce projector
for both platforms from one version of teh program.
Director movie files are cross platform, you can move the same file across
platforms and they will open without any problems. A movie created in Director
for Macintosh can be opened in Director for Windows and played, edited and
used to create a Windows projector and vise versa. But, if you are making
a cross platform presentation, it is a good idea to test the files on both
systems, as there are slight differences, such as text spacing.
Cross-platform Director application development does not require re-creating
the movie from scratch on each platform, and if you have DMX 2004, it does
not require having both Director for Mac & Windows. But, it is good
practice to test on both platforms to avoid unexpected problems. Remember,
especially when developing for multiple platforms, to avoid surprises:
"Test early, and test often, and test on all target playback platforms!"
CD Burning
Question: How do you burn a Hybrid CD (that works on both a Mac and
PC)?
Answer:
There are programs for the PC like CD Everywhere that claim to do this,
(but I haven’t used it). Macs and PCs read files differently, and Macs have
traditionally been the best way to create a hybrid CD. Roxio Toast on the
Mac is a simple and easy to use CD burning software that allows creation
of hybrid CDs. Roxio provides information on their web site on how
to create a hybrid CD with Toast.
Also look at this article for more info:
DOUG -
Putting your Director project on a CD-ROM
AutoStart
Question: How do you make a CD automatically start when placed in the
CD-ROM?
Answer:
On Mac OS X, the autostart feature has been disabled, deemed as a security
risk. OS 9 allowed autostarto be set up in the burning process, using
software like Roxio Toast.
The AutoStart feature is only available on HFS (hierarchical file system)
volumes. This is due to the fact that AutoStart relies on information located
in block zero of an HFS disk or partition.
On Windows, you can use Windows' AutoPlay feature.
Make a text file that is named autorun.inf. The file goes in the
root of the CD and contains this text:
[autorun]
open=ProjectorName.exe
icon=icon.ico
Replace ProjectorName with the name of the exe file and use relative
paths. For example if the exe is in the "stuff" folder the line would be:
open=stuff\projector.exe
The icon can be any icon file or an exe like the projector with the embedded
file. This parameter is optional but will set the icon the CD used on the
desktop and in windows explorer.
Adobe have a technote on Creating
an AutoRun CD