Flash Studio PRO 2

Macromedia Flash continues to be one of the most creatively flexible web-based applications available, attracting designers who are keen to tweak and tween their latest creations in the quest for the ultimate SWF file. But even designers have their limitations, and the software’s ActionScript coding element tends to reveal the average pixel-pusher’s Achilles’ heel.

Flash Studio PRO 2 may not claim to take over such tasks, but it will certainly help to alleviate the tedium of the routine techy tasks necessary to convert your final Flash projects. With over 600 FSCommands, compared to the four provided by Flash itself, you’ll soon start to realise how effective an addition to your Flash toolkit this studio will become.

Naturally, you’ll need to create your initial SWF file within Flash before importing it into Flash Studio PRO. The software is stylish, well organised and gives plenty of guidance when first launched. An initial welcome screen prompts you to decide if your exported file is intended for Mac or Windows platforms and gives various common options for quick access to output such as desktop applications, screensavers, projects and multiple form applications. A cross-platform option is recommended; this will create a single project file for both Windows and Mac platforms before compiling both EXE and HQX files.

There’s support for FSCommands, the native FSP Script and now Forms – enough to handle even the most demanding project. The new Extensions feature provides unlimited expandability for developers creating their own custom FSCommands based on existing or custom DLL files. You can also build installer and trial protected projectors, while simpletouches – being able to include icons as ICO or ICNS files, for example –will provide a professional touch to your final project. You can also burn your work direct to CD or DVD from within Flash Studio PRO itself.

There’s enormous potential here for the code-shy designer. The program eliminates the need to restrict yourself to simple animations or rely on dedicated ActionScript programmers to takeover a task, such as connecting your work to a MySQL or Access database, or an FTP server. You can even mask your projectors and move away from the default rectangular result to create more organically shaped displays that change in realtime using a single FSCommand.

The clean interface and intuitive controls enable the designer to carryout such tasks with relative ease. And if you’re still unsure how particular effects work, detailed Help files provide all the advice you need to master new techniques as you develop your Flash projects beyond the browser. There’s support for SWF files created in Flash 4upwards, LiveMotion 1 and 2, as well as Swish 2 and MAX, so there’s no need to change or upgrade your core SWF authoring application.