Flash ni- uh.. CS3?

[Afro-Ninja]

That’s right guys, just when you thought you mastered Flash 8, Adobe dumps Flash CS3 on us. As most of you know Adobe bought Macromedia, and this is the first release of Flash that has taken place soley under them. As such, they’re merging it with their existing CS product line. So what was once thought to be Flash 9, is now Flash CS3.

So what’s new with Flash CS3? Check here for an in-depth look from Flash Magazine. I’ll go over some of the big points though.

-Actionscript 3.0. Previously only available through the Flex production environment and as part of the Flash 9 alpha, this is the first version of Flash to have AS 3.0 support built in. For more on Actionscript 3.0, see here.

-Collapsable Code. Finally, we can collapse those huge sections of our .as class files when we don’t need them.

-Converting Tweens to XML data to use with Actionscript.

-Integration. Flash CS3 is made to integrate seamlessly with Photoshop and Illustrator CS3, meaning it’s much easier to transfer your work between programs for editing.

-New drawing tools that mimic’s Illustrator’s level of control.

-Skinnable Components.

-More efficient interface, faster load and compile times.

Unless you have a dire need for skinnable components, it seems the new Flash has more goodies for the programmers out there. Faster loads and execution is always a plus though. I’ll probably still hold on to my copy of Flash 8 for the time being, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before I get sucked into the ‘newest and best.’ Thoughts?

[DeRosa]

The iPod export part is pretty tight.

[Parks2]

Yeah I upgraded the other night- It's especially great for me because I'm on a Mac- This is the first version of Flash that actually works well on a Mac-
I haven't gotten into any of the bells and whistles yet, but I'm happy enough with it working faster

[Gmagnum]

It's looking good, hopefully I'll get it on my birthday.

[Bug]

It seems only the pen tool got an upgrade which is a shame because Flash's drawing tools suck dick for everything.

[pezzo]

they wont let you trial download it :(

[Amps]

ActionScript3 offers some serious coding improvements on top of compile times and run times.

The method computeSpectrum() will bring about a new wave of music-based games and audio visualization. It allows you to access what audio frequencies are being played. Definitely worth googling. Here is a simple equalizer by Andre Michele:
http://lab.andre-michelle.com/spectrum-meter

Stricter programming guidelines similar to Java are adopted. Strong typed variables are treated as such and explicitly written classes are essentially required. Hopefully the use of classes will increase the occurence of shared .as files and promote open source Flash coding.

As for integration into Adobe's CreativeSuite...it's nice but I'm pretty sure it will be under-used. I personally never use software integration because it just doesn't save that much time. The Office suite by MS, Macromedia Studio, and Adobe CS are all examples of integrated softwares that are kind of useless. Each package is basically carried by one main software title...Word, Flash, and Photoshop.

All in all, I'd say it's worth an upgrade if you intend to develop code, but not worth it if you're an artist. The transition from AS2 to AS3 isn't easy...definitely expect to spend some time figuring out how to do stuff over again, especially if you've never worked with another programming language.

[ripoffhitman]

It sounds good, but still a crud loud of money, well I better get saving.

[ItGoesSplat]

yeah, im all for flash but, i think ill stick with Flash 8 for now. maybe later.

[Mad-Mardigan]

im still paying for flash 8!

[Bigfoot3290]

Yeah, I'll stick with Flash 8 for a while. Even MX still serves me well. Until I get more involved with AS, I don't see much of a point to purchase "Flash 9".

[David]

How do I download a trial for this? I can't find the link.

[eggatron]

At 4/25/07 07:59 PM, Afro-Ninja wrote:

-Integration. Flash CS3 is made to integrate seamlessly with Photoshop and Illustrator CS3, meaning it�s much easier to transfer your work between programs for editing.

How does it handle layer styles in PSD files? If it can replicate them I'll be well impressed. Being able to edit them in Flash would be a major bonus. Can't see it though. Planning on sticking with F8 for the time being, but at just over £100 for the upgrade it is very tempting...

[Wonchop]

Hmm, sounds like the improvements are more for coders than us passive animators.

[aigamerDS]

At 4/25/07 10:23 PM, David wrote: How do I download a trial for this? I can't find the link.

Nobody can download a trial for this. Maybe it because its their own protection from piracy. You know, they don't want to lose money from hacker.

[Sonucais]

I'll wait lot of time to get this... I just don't need it right now...

Long live Flash 8 for now. Hope Adobe will do great new relases.

[icarus]

Thanks for clearing alot of that stuff up for me....although AS3 is beyond me right now...any tips for starting to learn it (I know as2)

[SunChipsClock]

I'm going to finish Clockident Evil 4 and then get Flash CS3.

[Afro-Ninja]

At 4/25/07 10:33 PM, eggatron wrote: How does it handle layer styles in PSD files? If it can replicate them I'll be well impressed. Being able to edit them in Flash would be a major bonus. Can't see it though. Planning on sticking with F8 for the time being, but at just over £100 for the upgrade it is very tempting...

I'm curious about that too, but all I know so far is what was said in the flash magazine article

Thanks for clearing alot of that stuff up for me....although AS3 is beyond me right now...any tips for starting to learn it (I know as2)

Just the same as always- check out tutorials and books. I haven't messed with AS3 yet but from what I've seen and heard it's more or less like a "real" program language now, as far as syntax, features, classes, OOP, etc etc. Along with lots of new classes and functions to work with. I plan to pick up a book on it eventually so I can straighten out everything that's changed from AS2 to 3

[iscrulz]

I hope Adobe goes out of business.

[KyleRoberts]

At 4/26/07 06:46 AM, iscrulz wrote: I hope Adobe goes out of business.

You're a fool. :(

[Cyberdevil]

Wasn't happy when Adobe took over. Twill be interesting to see how the new flash looks though. I wonder if the interface is still the same . . .

[galactic-core]

mmm i dunno... il stick with flash 8.
flash 8 just works for me...
i think il get it later but not right now..
il just enjoy flash 8 ;)

[MRat]

Im interested to try it out. If there are faster load times, I'm THERE. When I was preparing to publish Spider I Flash was going bottoms up. Took over 10 minutes to switch from scene to scene. Of course, I had killed the file with extra junk and the like, but still, it's sad.

[Tafari-dh]

by the sounds of it, this new flash cs3 has it going on!
i just hope actionscript 3 isn't too different from as2

[TheAbominableMatt]

I'm not even sure what version of flash I'm working with at the minute. I think it's 7. It does what I want it to do and I don't even know how to use all the features it has, adding more would just confuse my tiny brain.

At 4/25/07 07:59 PM, Afro-Ninja wrote: -Integration. Flash CS3 is made to integrate seamlessly with Photoshop and Illustrator CS3, meaning it’s much easier to transfer your work between programs for editing.

That does sound pretty usefull though.

[fishhook]

so flash 9 is cs3?
and the logo is so gay...
just fl...
AAARGH!
why adobe Y!

[Nicholas-Deary]

I'll stick with Flash MX 2004 :)

[henke37]

First I will wait for that trail.
Btw, just in case you did not notice, you can signup to be emailed when the trail is avalible.

[MindChamber]

At 4/25/07 11:47 PM, Wonchop wrote: Hmm, sounds like the improvements are more for coders than us passive animators.

agreed.

where tweenable envelopes Ive been askin for? >;[