Everyone (Unless you've been living under a rock) knows about Macromedia...Sorry, Adobe Flash CS3. Its been out for a month or so now, and a few people on the BBS have bought it. I just downloaded the trial (2 days or so ago) and i thought i'd give a quick review on it, top help other people decide if they want to frok out the $1600 for it :S.
1 - Adobe Integration
This is one of the most overplayed features of CS3. Basically, it lets you import .psd files bit by bit, layer by layer, or frame by frame. This is somewhat helpful, and i can imagine it will be good for animators, but this was still do-able in Flash 8 by simply exporting to seperate .psd files. All it does is save 10 minutes.
Score : **/***** - Handy, but north the money.
2 - Actionscript 3.0
This is a more helpful aspect for most people. AS3 is now (mostly) a function based, inforced strict data typing, fast language. This means, you have to call each variable 'var a:type' and instead of saying 'onEnterFrame = function' you say 'addEventListener(Event, Function);'.
This does two things. Firstly, it increases the amount of code you have to type; and secondly, it makes the .swf run almost 10X faster. This can open up a whole lot of possibilities for game designers and programmers. It will also be a lot more at home for C#/C++ users.
Score : ****/*****
3 - Layout
This is not the most helpful of things, but its definitely a very nice looking thing. The new 'CS3' style layout is applied to all of Adobes new products, and it looks very sleek in flash (SEE PICS).
The new system is also a lot more customizable, with expanding and contracting windows and a new sub window setting (SEE PIC).
Score : ***/*****
4 - Video Importing
I haven't used this feature much so far, but its quite a nice one. Its pretty simple, the new video importer just give you more options. You can crop and cut video, set markers at times and give it one of 100s of .flv skins.
However, it just isn't much use to many people, and still, not a feature worth almost $2000.
Score : ***/*****
5 - Debugger
This is the last feature i'll review, and yes, its another programming one. I tried to find another 'art' based one, but there just aren't many. Anyway, alongside AS3 comes this new debugger. Unlike in Flash 8, this window is separate from the output window (Compile Errors Window), and it gives a lot better report of the problem.
It tells you where the problem is, what it is and the line number. It even gives the option to go to the exact line that the problem is on so you can quickly sort it out. Its pretty nifty if you are getting into AS3, but not as good with AS2.
Score : ****/*****
Other Features
Heres another few (very few) features that are in CS3.
[#] Collapse Code - This lets you collapse code between two points (eg a function) so the code is easily organized.
[#] Pen Tool - The Pen tool is a lot better in CS3. You can alter the shapes better and there are a lot more editable options. Very handy for vector art.
[#] Customizable Shapes - Instead of having separate buttons for squares, ellipsis and other shapes, the are all compressed into one button that can be changed. They are also editable with different node points. This is, again, good for vector art.
That's about it really, not much for over 2 years production :(. If you want to try it out though, follow the link at the bottom of the post. I hope the review helped a few people decide if they want Adobes new 'and improoved' Flash CS3.
Links
[#] - Free 30 Day Trial
[#] - AS3: Main
[#] - Flashwiki
[#] - Another review
If you have anything you want me to add, or anything you want me to try, just ask ;)
