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According to Macromedia, there are more than 1,000 changes and new features in this latest version of Flash. So it decided that changing the version number from 5.0 to 6.0 wasn't enough to convey the enormity of this upgrade, hence the entirely new name, Flash MX.
Macromedia plans to update its entire product line with the MX brand to signify the launch of a new generation of web development tools.
At the moment, Macromedia argues that the internet is primarily used to browse various types of content but, in the future, it will become more focused on interactive applications that let you perform various tasks ranging from online training to games and ecommerce.
What this means for Flash is that it's no longer intended to create animations and navigation controls. It will now be used to create graphical user interfaces that act as the front-end for applications developed with other Macromedia products.
This shift in emphasis is apparent from the moment you launch Flash MX. The program's existing tutorial files have been modified and, when you open it for the first time, you're given a choice between two sets of tutorials.
Designers' tutorials concentrate on the program's graphics and animation tools, while developers are presented with a set of scripting, coding and debugging tools. These initial tutorials quickly introduce you to the program's main tools, and there are more advanced tutorials available through the online help system.
The improved tutorials might seem like a minor addition, but they're very welcome as Flash has always been a cumbersome program. We were surprised to see that Macromedia has even provided a selection of templates to get beginners started.
Existing Flash users will probably want to plunge straight into Flash itself and will notice quite a few interface enhancements that have been borrowed from its Dreamweaver and Fireworks stable mates.
The program's many tool palettes can be collapsed so that only their title bar remains visible. You can also group together the tools that you use most frequently.
There's a number of new palettes as well, including the Inspector. This displays all the settings related to your currently selected tool or object. Perhaps the most interesting of the new palettes is Components.
These are ready made interface elements, such as scrollbars. You can use them to create forms that gather data from people who visit your website, then use ActionScript to link the forms to a suitable server application.
There are only a handful of Components provided, but you can also use Objects to perform additional routine tasks. Objects are additions to the ActionScript language that perform tasks such as detecting input from the keyboard or mouse. The ActionScript editing tools have also been improved.
There are new graphics tools as well, such as the powerful Free Transform, which combines rotation, scaling, skew and distortion in a single tool. Flash MX has improved support for video file formats, and treats video clips just like ordinary bitmap graphics.
Flash MX will come into its own later in the year when a series of server products join the range. However, it stands on its own merits as a very impressive upgrade.
Price: £369.99 (ex. VAT)
Minimum requirements: Windows 98, 2000, ME, NT 4.0, XP; Pentium 133MHz; 32Mb Ram; 40Mb free hard disk space.
Contact: Macromedia 01344 458600
www.macromedia.com/uk/
See also:
The lightweight LiveMotion turns into a genuine heavyweight at last. 17 Apr 2002
A powerful web design tool that can give Dreamweaver a run for its money. 17 Apr 2002All Animation & 3D
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