The wait is over, SWIVEL is now available!
Everyone thank Mike for what I can only call PURE GENIUS and a REFUSAL TO GIVE UP IN THE FACE OF INSANE OBSTACLES over the past two years.
Swivel allows you to convert just about any SWF file into an amazing 1080p video file, with no drop in frames. It gives you control to skip over preloaders and replay screens, as well as a manual mode if you have to click anything during your movie or need to work around other quirks. It also has a beautiful front-end by Stamper.
People were doing some crazy stuff to get their Flash into video format for sites like YouTube and NG itself was facing a legacy issue of how to keep 15 years of Flash movies available for the next century. iPhones don't play Flash movies. TVs don't play Flash movies. There are tools to convert SWF to video but we found them all to be lacking.
This is where Mike stepped in. He had an early version of Swivel running in September 2011; we used it to launch our Roku channel and NG artists in the beta group used it to bring their work to YouTube. Not every file worked, though. There were V-Cam issues (both AS2 and AS3), filter issues, audio issues, endless issues. Mike just kept tackling these issues one by one while adding additional solutions to problems that came up. For example, Starbarians was so big that HappyHarry could no longer export an SWF from Flash. Instead, he broke it into multiple files and Mike added a feature to Swivel that let him process and merge them into a single MP4.
Swivel is now at a point where we are confident it can process the majority of movies on NG. Most of the nominees for Best of 2010-2012 already have video alternatives available. The next step on our end is to launch our video conversion server, which will process these videos into smaller 720p and mobile formats. This will make NG video a better experience for both PC and mobile users, expect it soon! Then we just have to convert every movie in the history of NG. Or at least the good ones.
If you're a Flash animator, try Swivel! It would be awesome if you could add MP4 versions of your existing SWF movies. The video upload feature remains invite-only at the moment so PM me for access and the MP4 field will appear as a secondary option under your project details.
If you find a bug or can't convert your movie, PM Mike with a description of your problem and a link to your SWF, either in the Portal or on dump.
Finally, if you appreciate this TOTALLY FREE software that doesn't try to install weird crap or do anything other than awesome SWF to video conversions, feel welcome to become a Newgrounds supporter! Supporters browse NG with no ads other than the ones people insert in their games and movies. You'll like it!
UPDATE: UPVOTE THIS ON REDDIT PLZ!
