What is Flash for?
Hi there,
I was wondering if someone can tell me what the program "Flash" is for?
Can I use it otherwise also than on the Homepage?
What kind of program do I need (I read on the HP from Flash that there are different kind of tools)?
How much is it?
Is there another similar style except CSS and JavaScript/DHTML?
Thanks a lot.
Thanks for your help.
Mike Fisher posted this at 16:01 — 23rd November 2000.
They have: 429 posts
Joined: Jul 2000
Flash/Shockwave is a kind of animation format that utilizes Macromedia's .fla, .swf, and a few other extensions. It is a vector-based graphic tool, which means that it integrates well with Macromedia Freehand, Adobe Illustrator, and perhaps PSP 7+.
Shockwave/Flash has many uses, like Games, Opening Animations, or you could ever use it to produce presentations.
To begin production, you would need the basic Flash program. It runs around a hundred bucks. [That's what I bought it for, anyways.]
Similar programs are produced by the 'big boys,' Adobe has it's Livemotion program, while Macromedia has created another Flash-esque program called Director, which is used mainly for producing programs [using the Logos language.]
There is also the client-based SVG programming, although I don't believe it's animated without the use of DHTML, CSS properties, etc.
Hope this helps..
Mike Fisher - TWF Conquerer
"Don't trust a spiritual leader that cannot dance."
Megan posted this at 21:22 — 23rd November 2000.
She has: 11,421 posts
Joined: Jun 1999
To try to put it in simpler terms (maybe), Flash is a program does animation for the web and other applications. You need to buy the program from Macromedia (or download a free trial) to use it. Visitors to your site will need to have the flash plug-in to view Flash pages (most people have it).
As Mike said, It's vector- based (drawing shapes on the screen, rather than manipulating pixels like photo-editors do). Of course, you can always import pixel-based images to use in your Flash animation. It's fairly easy to use, and there are a lot of free tutorials out there on the web.
Flash is most commonly used for site intro pages, but also for interactive presentations and games (as Mike said). You can create entire sites with it, but it seems to be rather difficult to make full sites that are easy for people to use - check out this column from Usability expert Jacob Neilsen - he says that Flash is "99% bad":
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20001029.html
Some good Flash examples can be found at http://www.coolhomepages.com
I thought that Director was more intended for CD-ROMs rather than the web, and that it was created before Flash, but maybe I'm wrong about that?? Oh, and I assume Mike meant "a hundred bucks" USD too (in case you're not in the 'states)
Megan
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Nicoletta posted this at 14:54 — 24th November 2000.
They have: 21 posts
Joined: Jul 2000
Hy guys,
thanks a lot for your info. That'll do for a while. Bucks is common knowledge for me, since I lived in the States for 5 years - even though I'm back in Germany/Bavaria and miss my God Ole`USA! Schniief.
Anyways... thx. Hope to may bother you again someday?!
Nicoletta
Thanks for your help.
doren posted this at 02:51 — 30th November 2000.
They have: 100 posts
Joined: Sep 1999
I think Flash 5 will set you back about $300.
Small files, vector animation as mentioned, can create interactive prsentations with sound compressed with MP3, cross platform friendly.
Great stuff.
The Adobe version is not quite as powerful I think but since they are competing with Macromedia it's a bit cheaper.
Director was established before flash and is more pixel based for CD roms and not as cross platform friendly.
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