I'm trying to reference audio files and play them in a FileMaker solution. I need a calculation that will take the file path from one field and dynamically feed a container field in order to bring up a particular sound file for auditioning in FileMaker - at least that's the way I perceive it to happen in my brain. If there's a better, more practical way to do it - I'm certainly open to suggestions.

The only stipulations are that the files are on a remote drive and can only be referenced - they should not be imported into the FileMaker solution for playback.

Thanks to all,

- Jay

Quick tutorial. Insert a file, as reference only, into a container field. Create a calculation, result text,

GetAsText (Container)

Look at the resulting field. It will be a couple lines (3 if a local file). The FileMaker absolute path is the last line. This calculation will get it:

Let ( [

Info = GetAsText (Contain);

vc = ValueCount (Info);

path = GetValue ( Info; vc )

];

path

)

So, that's the path you need for a file. If you create a calculation which produces that path, with a Container result, it will show the file, the same as if you used Insert. Double-clicking a sound file will launch Quicktime, and the sound can be played.

But, on a Mac, you could also play the sound more directly. This little command line tool will play any sound QT can play.

http://www.hieper.nl/html/play.html

It needs a regular Mac OS path to the file however. (Still working on a calculation to work whether it's a remote file or not. -)