Macromedia Flash

Presented by:David Cox

Devin SchellerVictoria Kisekka

Suzann Baer

Introduction

• History

• What files makes up a Flash Animation?

• Strengths

• Weaknesses

• How difficult it is to use Flash?

History

• Jonathan Gay– Architect – Space Invaders clone– Super Paint – Airborne

• 1st Machintosh game using digital sound and smooth animation

History (cont.)

• Charlie Jackson– Lisa Computer– Silicon Beach Software

• FutureWave Software– Founded by Jonathan Gay– Invested by Charlie Jackson

Flash Versions (History Cont.)

• Smartsketch• CelAnimator• FutureSplash

Animator• Flash 1• Flash 2

• Flash 3• Flash 4• Flash 5• Flash MX• Flash MX 2004• Flash MX 2004 Pro

What files makes up a Flash Animation?

• Flash Application files .fla

• Actionscripts .as

• “swiff” files .swf

• Flash video files .flv

Strengths

• Simplicity of Flash movie viewing

• Media Animation

• Quick start templates.

• Flash allows animation interactivity

• No programming skills required

Strengths cont.

• Flash movies are stable in web browsers

• Easier font handling

• Easy importation of media

• Rendering Flash in different browsers

Weaknesses

• User must wait for flash document download so as to view the whole page

• Forms in Flash are usually not recognized as forms.

• Flash is not readable by humans in the .swf format.

• Need a Flash software program to create flash.

Weaknesses cont.

• Need a plug-in to view

• Search engines cannot index Flash movies

• Difficulty in printing Flash content

• Hard to bookmark flash pages

• Advanced features have a steep learning curve

How difficult it is to use Flash?

• Very easy with the use of Tornado Flash

Flash Movie