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(More customer reviews)Since this is a upgrade version let me talk for experienced flash users - Macromedia seems to have taken a few right steps in integrating Flash MX with its other products like Dreamweaver Ultradev and Cold Fusion Server MX (acquired from Allaire). Even though Cold Fusion MX is at a beta 3 stage right now, its easy to see some of the powerful multimedia features being integrated into the Macromedia products based on that.
Some of the best new changes in Flash MX that warrant an upgrade are:
1. ActionScript, the scripting language that powers Flash interactivity, is now easier to write and analyze. Flash MX has a fully functional script editor with features similar to those found in its other programs like Dreamweaver, Cold Fusion Studio, and HomeSite. The editor helps both experienced and beginning programmers write valid ActionScript by providing code-hinting, auto-formatting, and search-and-replace functions. Flash MX also contains a complete debugger.
2. For the first time Flash is offering a collection of templates to simplify the production of standard Web documents such as ads, slide shows, and tutorials. In addition, the templates are smart; for example, a photo album template includes all the programming necessary for a photo slideshow.
3. A lot of UI components, like scroll bars, check boxes, and list boxes, that previously had to be laboriously created, are now included in Flash MX. The appropriate behaviors are built into these objects, so adding functional interface elements to an application is a simple drag-and-drop operation.
3. One of the biggest changes in Flash MX is the integration of video. The integrated video support, provided by the Sorenson Spark codec, can import standard video formats, such as AVI, MPEG, or QuickTime, and convert them to a streaming format that is displayed natively by the Flash MX player. The import filter can also resize the video or sync the frame rate to the Flash movie when converting a file.
4. Flash MX also provides a powerful tool to modify vector shapes. Flash's Free Transform tool is similar to the Free Transform tools found in standard illustration programs like FreeHand and Illustrator. The program lets you rotate, size, skew, and distort objects. A special bounding box-called an envelope-lets you manipulate an object's shape using control points and tangent handles. This kind of makes me wonder what it'll do to the already overpriced Macromedia Freehand software.
5. A lot of changes have been made to animation processes to make it more efficient. The import filter for Fireworks PNG files now intelligently preserves text and vector shapes which will make life a lot easier! Headline animations are easier to update, because Flash now maintains individual characters as editable text rather than as nontext vector shapes.
6. Some changes have changed the visual appearance of Flash MX workspace. Now you can dock and collapse palettes, and you have the ability to define and switch between different palette configurations like developer, designer etc. to optimize the workspace for design or coding. Layers can be organized into folders. The new Properties Inspector offers an easy way to change an object's basic attributes quickly.
7. The Library function has also been improved by allowing sharing of symbols between documents. Flash automatically tracks the original location of each symbol and auto-updates all instances in all documents if the original is modified!
As I mentioned, Macromedia seems to be moving towards integrating their other products. As a result, some powerful new features in Flash MX await the development of other products in the MX line. Macromedia has already announced Flash Server Solutions, which will consist of a gateway and a communications server. The latter will allow developers to add real-time messaging as well as two-way audio and video to Flash applications.
I think upgrading to the new version is not even a question!
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With Macromedia Flash MX, you now have the power and tools you need to create rich content, motion graphics, and data-driven applications. Reach the widest possible audience and deliver the best user experiance, on the web or across multiple devices and platforms.
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