FLASH GUIDELINES
Flash Design Checklist
Flash Requirements
  • MySpace does not allow embedded URLs in Flash creative. The click-through must utilize "clickTag" functionality. (See below for additional information on clickTag functionality.)
  • The initial load of all SWF files must be no greater than 50k whether served locally or via third-party.
  • The limits for sub-loading components are as follows: 300k for sub-loaded SWFs and 2 MBs for sub-loaded FLVs.
  • All Flash creatives should be designed with a frame rate of 18 fps or less.
  • All sound much be user-initiated by a click event.
  • CPU utilization should not exceed 70%. (See below for additional information on CPU utilization.)
  • CPU utilization should not consistently (over 2-3 seconds) be above 50%.
  • All flash creatives sent to us as .swf files and must be accompanied by the .fla file (including any non-standard fonts), a backup image (.gif or .jpg) and the click-through URL.


ClickTag Requirements

In order for MySpace to track clicks within Flash creative, the click-through must utilize "clickTag" functionality. Embedded URLs are not allowed. For best practices please visit Adobe's site here.

  • clickTag is a token variable that gets replaced by an ad server with a click-through URL when the creative is served. This functionality allows the ad server to track clicks within Flash creative.
  • The clickTag must be located on a button layer and not on a movie layer or within a movie clip.
  • The button layer must be the top most layer of the timeline.
  • For creative executions that utilize sub-loading components, the clickTag action must be contained within the initially loading SWF file.
  • The clickTag allows the network to register where the ad was displayed when it was clicked on.
  • Click-through data is reported to the ad server database, generating detailed reports from which advertisers determine the effectiveness of their campaign.

The clickTag button code varies depending on the version of Flash being used. Here are some examples:

Flash MX/Flash 6:
getURL(clickTag) and choose "_blank" by the window option in the action window

Flash MX 2004/Flash 7:
getURL(clickTag,"_blank")

Flash 8/9:
on (release) {
getURL (clickTag, "_blank");
}

Using ActionScript 3:
var clickTag:String = root.loaderInfo.parameters.clickTag;
button.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK,mouseHandler);
function mouseHandler(e:MouseEvent):void {
navigateToURL(new URLRequest(clickTag));
}

Notes on AS3:
This first portion of the script establishes clickTag as a variable with data type String. Using the loaderInfo property, the value of this variable inherits the value of the clickTag parameter added dynamically the object's embed code.

Secondly, since actions are no longer supported as code blocks placed on button symbols, you'll have to instead use an event handler. In the example above, the handler is attached to a MovieClip with instance name "button." Within the parentheses you then declare event-type and closing function (to be executed when the event is dispatched).

Lastly, the closing function executes the navigateToURL method (formerly getURL) to request the designated URL. In our example, that URL is the clickTag variable.

For more information regarding the terms used in this example, please refer to: http://livedocs.adobe.com/flash/9.0/ActionScriptLangRefV3



Expansion and Sub-loading Guidelines

  • Ad units using sub-loaded video must be submitted to MySpace 5 full business days prior to launch.
  • Video and animation can be host-initiated, but it can only start after the ad unit's "shell" has loaded completely.
  • All video and animation MUST have Play/Pause or Stop controls as well as Mute/Un-Mute buttons.
  • Regardless of where sub-loaded creatives are hosted (local or remote), the initial flash .swf ad must have the absolute path to call any sub-loading (.swf, .flv, etc.) files.
  • Maximum file size for sub-loaded Video files (.flv files) is 2MB.
  • Maximum file size for sub-loaded Flash Animation (.swf files) files is 300K.
  • Examples:
    • loadMovie("http://largeassets.myspace.com/date/campaign_name/flash_movie.swf",1); stop();
    • Or when using a Compiled Clip for FLVPlayback (ClipAction), the link to the video (i.e. .flv file) must be absolute:
      contentPath="http://largeassets.myspace.com/date/campaign_name/streaming_movie.flv";
  • Digital Formats Accepted
    • Uncompressed QuickTime (recommended format) and most QuickTime compressions.
    • Sorenson 3 QuickTime compression (preferred).
    • Highest quality will allow us to compress the video to our specifications and maintain superior video quality.
    • We do not accept BetaSP, MPG, WMV or other video file formats that are not mentioned above.
  • Flash can be built to detect the sides of the browser window enabling expandable ads to expand and not hit up against the side of the browser; if the ad displays closer to the left hand side of the browser, the expandable portion should expand to the right; if the ad displays at the top of the page, the expandable portion should expand down.
  • All expansion must be initiated upon user click


CPU Utilization

CPU utilization refers to the amount of computer processing power used to "render" an ad. MySpace recommends limiting Flash CPU utilization to 70%. Here are some factors that can increase CPU utilization:

  • Frame Rate is over 18 frames per second. Reducing the number to 18 does not degrade visual performance.
  • Multiple animated sequences across many layers animating at the same time.
  • Animated sequences set to be translucent and animating on top of an imported graphic (ex: jpeg, png, etc.).
  • Action Script-generated events set to randomly generate (ex: fog and rain).
  • Imported graphics scaled up over a long period of time.
  • Other Common issues can be found here.
  • Prior to delivery of advertising content, every developer and advertiser must ensure its content does not contain any viruses or other programming code or instruction that is intentionally constructed to damage, interfere or otherwise adversely affect the operations of any network, computer or other hardware or software.