Adobe Flash

With Flash create rich interactive content in one complete product.

Company: Adobe Systems Inc.

Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista (business, ultimate, enterprise & home premium).

Versions: Adobe Flash CS4 Professional.

Family: Included in Adobe Creative Suite 4, Production Premium. Master Collection, Design Premium and Web Standard.

Try Adobe Flash

Product summary of Adobe Flash

Adobe Flash, which was previously known as Macromedia Flash before Adobe bought Macromedia, is a software currently being enhanced and distributed by Adobe Systems. Since its introduction to the market in 1996, Flash has become a popular software that's used for adding interactivity and animation to web pages. Flash programs are usually used for producing advertisements, animations, and other web page components. This program can also be used for integrating video into web pages and for developing rich web applications. There are various versions of Adobe Flash, the latest of which is the Adobe Flash CS4. This version offers radical changes that will benefit users. Creative professionals in various fields should definitely check out the Adobe Flash CS4 and its powerful functions.

Features of Adobe Flash

The Deco and Spray Brush feature of the Adobe Flash CS4 will make it easier for users to apply symbols in a number of ways. Kaleidoscope-like effects can be created using the Deco tool, while the Spray Brush can be used to randomly spray symbols throughout a specific area. Adobe Flash CS4 also offers object-based animation, which means that animation doesn't have to be based on keyframes anymore. Users can easily animate objects and make changes to motion with the use of Bezier handles. The Bones tool, which is a new feature, lets users create chain-like animation effects using a series of linked objects. It's also easy to distort shapes using this tool.

Animation of 2D objects in 3D space can be done easily now with Adobe Flash CS4's new 3D translation and rotation tools. These tools let users create animation along the x, y, and z axes. Objects can be transformed either locally or globally. Adobe Flash CS4 also has XFL support, which means that users can open and import content from Adobe After Effects or Adobe InDesign and still retain file integrity. Projects done using other Adobe software can easily be imported to Adobe Flash CS4 so they can be animated or simply used for Flash presentations.

Editors review of Adobe Flash

Flash may be difficult to master because of its complicated interface and the number of steps needed to begin with animation, but Flash CS4 is certainly a worthwhile upgrade. Even those who are just learning animation for the first time may find it easier to learn how to use Adobe Flash CS4. What makes Adobe Flash CS4 different from earlier versions of Flash is its different approach to animation, which makes use of object-based tweening. With this feature, users can just draw or select a shape, make a tween, and move the object around to their liking according to the timespan that appears. Doing this would immediately create an animation. Flash CS4 now fills in the gaps that users had to do themselves in the earlier versions of the program.

Like other applications included in the Adobe Creative Suite, the user interface of Adobe Flash CS4 may be challenging for beginners to understand. Despite that, Flash CS4 has enhanced its look and feel. Changes to the Properties, Inspector, Timeline, and Toolbar give emphasis to the Stage's central location. There's also the helpful Search field as well as tabs that keep track of different projects in progress. All in all, the Adobe Flash CS4 is certainly a good investment for creative professionals and those who would like to learn how to do animation.