Macromedia Flash is an animation/development program where you can create animations or even simple games. Many websites and cartoons live off of or got their start on flash, such as Homestar Runner and Newgrounds.
Flash is recognized as the leader in Web-based interactive animation, giving Web designers powerful scripting and interactive tools to create impressive animation at small file sizes. The latest release, Flash 5.0, sports enough new features and improvements to maintain that position. A revamped interface and improved tools are just a few good reasons to invest in Flash 5.0.
At $399, Flash 5.0 is not priced for the hobbyist, despite the minimal system requirements. If s no surprise that intallation was seamless on our professional graphics systems: a dual 450MHz G4 with 640MB of RAM and an upgraded 400MHz G3 with 320MB of RAM running Mac OS 9.
The first difference experienced Flash users will notice is the program’s changed interface, which Macromedia has updated to its Common User Interface — common only to Macromedia applications. Most Mac conventions and expected keyboard shortcuts are incorporated, and Flash selects, copies, and pastes objects to and from other applications. We had no trouble dragging and dropping or copying and pasting objects from either Photoshop 5.5 or Illustrator. However, Illustrator 9 objects didn’t retain their transparency values, and became opaque in Flash.
As part of the interface update, almost every feature and command is accessible through docking Panels, which you can group together to save screen real estate. Panels work similarly to Adobe’s palettes, so much so that Adobe filed a lawsuit against Macromedia. While grouped Panels save space, individually laid-out panels are a real asset for users with higher resolution monitors or dual monitors. Once you find a Panel layout you like, with often-used tools close at hand, you can save and recall layout presets for animation, text-based work, menu and navigation design, and other kinds of work. This user-friendly interface, along with context-sensitive tool tips and Flash’s HTML-based tutorials, makes the learning curve far less daunting for new users. This help system also includes complete documentation and reference files for ActionScript, Flash’s built-in scripting language.
On a deeper level, Macromedia listened to developers and improved several features — including the pen tool, which now draws much like Macromedia FreeHand or Adobe Illustrator bezier drawing tools. This simple improvement is an important one- vector graphics and bezier drawing tools go hand-in-hand. Additionally, the brush tool now works well with a Wacom Intuos tablet, detecting pressure changes and changing line width accordingly. However, using the eraser on the Intuos pen erases all layers, not just the selected layer. The Eraser from the Flash toolbox behaves the same way. The only way to erase a single, specific layer is to turn off (hide) or lock layers you don’t want to alter.
Developers will be both pleased and disappointed in Flash’s new ability to share object libraries. Objects are the basic building blocks of Flash, and an object library is a warehouse of text, shapes, logos, and other elements placed in a Flash movie. Sharing object libraries means that you can create one library from which many simultaneously downloaded Flash movies can share data. The net result here is a one-time download full of reusable material, and very small Flash movie sizes. Unfortunately, we discovered that only one designerat a time can open a shared library. When a second user attempted to open a library already in use, an Unable To Open: File In Use dialog box stopped us.
To the end user surfing the Web, Flash’s greatest strength is graphic quality and quick download speed. To the Flash designer behind the wheel, however, the really cool stuff is under the hood, and the changes here are more than just superficial improvements. ActionScript, the heart of Flash’s functionality, has been retooled and enhanced.
ActionScript now closely resembles the JavaScript programming language. If you are familiar with coding in JavaScript, you should feel at home using ActionScript, although both languages have some features that the other doesn’t support. Unlike JavaScript, ActionScript doesn’t support browser-specific objects such as Document or Window. This discrepancy stems from an effort to remain browser-independent.
This level of coding is exciting to any hardcore Flash developer, allowing for greater freedom, control, and complexity than was previously possible. New users, though, shouldn’t feel intimidated. Flash is still easy to use, and you can do a lot without digging too deep into its scripting features.
Other new features include new color palettes and management, improved selection tools, the Movie Explorer..., and custom shortcut keys, making Flash 5 a solid upgrade. Existing Flash users should upgrade, and for new users serious about creating interactive Web content, now’s a great time to start using Flash.
Caputo, Mike. (December 2000). Flash 5.0. MacAddict. (pgs. 66-67).
Macromedia, Inc.
Applications
out of 10 (1 vote)
1098 / 
2014-04-14 / 
2023-04-23 / 
56c97d03c86a92dbd517aea8ce7d5ad1e46f7ad5 / 
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mm-flash-5.sit.bin
Emulating this? It could probably run under: 
SheepShaver
