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For a graphics novice like me the full-on Flash MX is very daunting. WHich is why alternatives like the ones spelled out here appeal to me. Are there some we missed, a favorite Flash-creating tool you've come across that solves a particular problem?
Since the time I first wrote this article, Swish has come out with powerFx. This is an 'extention' to FlashMx2003 so it completely integrates with the macromedia product. For experienced MX developers it's a great addition.
Okay but is it helpful for the Flash newbie like myself? I just got myself a review copy of the new Studio MX 2004 and want to try out some Flash programming. Will powerFx help me do something useful with less effort?
Because when I first powered up Flash MX that UI was pretty intimidating. I was in fact so frightened I shut it down without trying anything.
Because when I first powered up Flash MX that UI was pretty intimidating. I was in fact so frightened I shut it down without trying anything.
aawww come on rex..you're an old school guy you're not afraid of an overdone interface are ya?
download a trial of powerFx and see for yourself..i'd be happy to write a review on it if there is a demand for it. In my opinion, for the basic stuff, like text and image effects powerFx kicks #@$#@!!!
However, you still need to have a basic understanding of the Macromedia Flash Environment which is not as approachable as the standalone flash tools...
StudioMX2004 is a massive program that in my opinion fundamentally sets the standard for all of us in this business. I've found that it usually take 30-90 days in my environment with it, till we're all comfortable with the enhancements and additional functionality...
download a trial of powerFx and see for yourself..i'd be happy to write a review on it if there is a demand for it. In my opinion, for the basic stuff, like text and image effects powerFx kicks #@$#@!!!
However, you still need to have a basic understanding of the Macromedia Flash Environment which is not as approachable as the standalone flash tools...
StudioMX2004 is a massive program that in my opinion fundamentally sets the standard for all of us in this business. I've found that it usually take 30-90 days in my environment with it, till we're all comfortable with the enhancements and additional functionality...
KoolMoves is my favorite alternative to Flash (MX 2004 Pro).
Why ?
Because of the best "features / price" result.
p.s.
SwishMax is another good option.
Why ?
Because of the best "features / price" result.
p.s.
SwishMax is another good option.
Swish is a good tool that I've used in the past, and Flix is another I really like. It doesn't deal with text, or full sites like Swish does/can, Flix allows you to convert movies (mpg, avi, wmf)into Flash and gives you much more control over the output than you get natively in Flash MX. Things like controlling bandwidth (Flash doesn't give you this option) and adding player controls for your movie are made simple. And it does a great job of compression too. I've got an example on my website that runs about 15 minutes which was a pretty large mpg, but after the conversion using Flix Pro, it's about a third the file size of the original mpg. And since it's Flash now, I don't have to pay extra for streaming services from an ISP to have movies on a site.
I've heard rumors that you can install Flash MX on linux via Codeweaver's CrossOver Office.
http://www.codeweavers.com/
I've never tried installing it on Linux myself since I have both a Linux machine and a Windows machine.
http://www.codeweavers.com/
I've never tried installing it on Linux myself since I have both a Linux machine and a Windows machine.
But these emulators don't usually offer the kind of performance you'd need as a developer. For example, I run Virtual PC on my Mac and it's fine for running Outlook (which is the main PC app I use it for). But unless you've got a lot of time on your hands you'd never want to run any kind of tool like a Visual Studio, and especially not any kind of multimedia tool.
Doesn't CodeWeaver suffer the same problems?
Doesn't CodeWeaver suffer the same problems?
I've tried that with Flash 5.0(demo, full) and Flash MX (demo) under Red Hat Linux 7.2 a few months back and it failed to even install. It kept coughing up error messages about the installer not being able to extract the data properly.
i use moho from lostmarble (http://www.lostmarble.com/) is a two-dimensional cartoon animation system.
it can save in flash format !!!
if you are a good programmer you can also code a flash animation using Php or java but is not easy for complex appz.
it can save in flash format !!!
if you are a good programmer you can also code a flash animation using Php or java but is not easy for complex appz.
Apparently, OpenOffice.org Impress (ver 1.1) allows you to export .swf files.
i run a linux network here, but hardly ever do any actual design/flash work on the linux boxes...
however there is one tool that I've used a couple of times, it doesn't compare to something like swish but if you're in a bind it'll work.
It's called the SSWF Scripting project, you can download a copy at:
http://sswf.sourceforge.net/
Be warned though, I haven't found this is be entirely reliable or stable...
however there is one tool that I've used a couple of times, it doesn't compare to something like swish but if you're in a bind it'll work.
It's called the SSWF Scripting project, you can download a copy at:
http://sswf.sourceforge.net/
Be warned though, I haven't found this is be entirely reliable or stable...
Open Office 1.1 which is the newest release of the open
source office suite by Open Office ( a branch of Sun
Microsystems) allows you to save your Power Point
animations in Flash (.swf) format.
I've tried it and it works pretty well.
http://www.openoffice.org
source office suite by Open Office ( a branch of Sun
Microsystems) allows you to save your Power Point
animations in Flash (.swf) format.
I've tried it and it works pretty well.
http://www.openoffice.org
There's also the effect generator at http://www.effectgenerator.com/ This lets you compose different types of animations to create thousands of different effects and embed them on your site for free.
hmmm~you create without Flash, then somebody decompile in other way...unfortunately...
http://www.sothink.com/product/flashdecompiler/index.htm
http://www.sothink.com/product/flashdecompiler/index.htm
I use BannerDroid to make my Flash banners for free at http://www.bannerdroid.com .
It is very simple. I just need to select banner template and edit it online. Banner templates have size variations and i can download banner in SWF format.
It is very simple. I just need to select banner template and edit it online. Banner templates have size variations and i can download banner in SWF format.
If you want to convert SWF to FLV video, or if you are looking for a video converter from SWF to FLV, this http://swflv.net is the ideal one. It can perfectly convert all sorts of SWF files to FLV videos, so that you can upload them to YouTube and share with others.
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