Live Flash April
2002
Adobe and Macromedia push the multimedia web
Two new releases from old-time antagonists Adobe and
Macromedia will be welcomed by any web producers responsible for multimedia
content online.
Flash MX from Macromedia is the latest release of the
popular multimedia tool that has revolutionised the way that we interact
with certain parts of the web. Flash MX is part of Macromedia's plan to
rationalise the interface of its product line, incorporating the properties
palette and other features familiar from Dreamweaver. The aim of this
overhaul is to create a consistent line of applications that web designers
will be able to move between with ease.
The other big enhancement to Flash MX is the ability
to incorporate video embedded within a Flash file, rather than calling
on external applications. This is not designed for large movies, rather
short clips that can be animated from within a Flash movie. In addition,
Actionscript has been simplified, with code hinting to suggest completed
lines when creating scripts, and the ability to set Flash movies to respond
to a browser's backwards and forwards button.
LiveMotion 1 was recognised as being a simpler tool than
Macromedia's offering, but largely sank without trace. Version 2 concentrates
on animation and offers key features that make it more sophisticated in
this area than Flash itself. Most significant is the enhanced timeline,
that expands to show multiple effects when applied to objects - something
more familiar to video editing than the simpler timeline in Flash itself.
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LiveMotion probably has slightly worse drawing
tools than Flash MX (though some, such as the bezier tool) are better,
but it offers more control for the novice over different aspects
of animation. At a recommended retail price of £149 ex VAT,
it is also less than half the price of Flash MX (£314 ex VAT).
LiveMotion 2 will appeal more to beginners or Flash developers who
want to concentrate on animation; Flash MX is a more fully functional
multimedia development tool that can be used to create complex interactive
applications.
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 Previous
stories
New Products for 2002
Dreamweaver 4 Released
Adobe v. Macromedia
Relevant sites
Adobe
Macromedia
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