Flash is a multimedia format developed by Macromedia.
Flash allows web designers to create and develop animations and interactive movies or images that can be embedded into a web page.
Flash is a powerful design and animation authoring tool with an object-oriented dynamic scripting engine, bitmap rendering anti-aliasing precision and advanced audio and video playback. This multimedia format actually comprises of three components: a player, a file format, and an authoring tool.
Flash can be used as a in the following to make them more attractive and interesting:
• Advertising Banners • Online Presentations
• Offline Presentations • Software Applications
• Web Sites • Internet Animations
• Multimedia Online Movies • CD ROMs
• Screen Savers • Games
Advantages of Flash web designing
• Flash can make a web site more attractive, interactive and dynamic.
• Flash has now become a very well-recognized format on the internet, and it is estimated that over 90% of web
users now have the Flash Player installed on their computers
users now have the Flash Player installed on their computers
• In addition to being embedded within a web page, Flash movies can also be exported to construct stand-alone
executable applications, which are ideal for CD-ROMs.
executable applications, which are ideal for CD-ROMs.
• Flash movies can be stored in very small file sizes, so they can be downloaded rapidly.
• It is now possible to import external information from say a database into a Flash movie. This facilitates the
construction of more sophisticated Flash-based applications that can automatically update themselves. What
this means is that one can use the same Flash interface by simply editing the external XML file.
construction of more sophisticated Flash-based applications that can automatically update themselves. What
this means is that one can use the same Flash interface by simply editing the external XML file.
• Flash can also be used to create innovative advertisements, games and movies that can be displayed a web
site.
site.
Flash Facts
• The fact is that Flash is a flexible software package that can be programmed to run comprehensive
applications and online multimedia movies.
applications and online multimedia movies.
• Flash is the most efficient means of animation on the web at the moment. It is primarily used for Vector based
for animation.
for animation.
• Flash is a multi-platform application that will appear the same on all browsers and platforms as long as its plug-
in has be downloaded.
in has be downloaded.
• Flash has now become a very well-recognized format on the internet, and it is estimated that over 90% of web
users now have the Flash Player installed on their machines
users now have the Flash Player installed on their machines
Flash Myths
• Flash is slow to download. This is the biggest myth about Flash. Flash is designed to be both quick and
effective; however it is only as good as the person using it, as it is an application based software.
effective; however it is only as good as the person using it, as it is an application based software.
• Flash is only a gimmick. This is not true as a Flash presentation can be very effective in marketing a product. It
is important to use Flash only when necessary, overusing it can hinder your objectives as some people are
only interested in quick information not a presentation.
is important to use Flash only when necessary, overusing it can hinder your objectives as some people are
only interested in quick information not a presentation.