The program now supports Bezier point-to-point drawing and manipulation of artwork created with both the Pen and existing natural drawing tools. This means that you can create effective vector-based content without having to leave the Flash program. Flash 5 also offers Web-Native printing, so you can view content and applications suitable for the screen and output a separate design suitable for print. The audio features have been bolstered with full support for MP3.
The ActionScript Syntax has now been exposed, matching the structure of JavaScript, while the ActionScript Editor panel provides both Novice (drag-and-drop interactivity) and Expert (full blown text entry) modes for ActionScript with a simple mouse click. ActionScript syntax can be exported as an ASCII to a program such as Dreamweaver or Notepad, and then re-imported into a Macromedia Flash authoring document.
One of the best new features of Flash 5 is the introduction of Smart Clips, with many time saving implications for anyone developing interactive forms, lessons or questionnaires. Smart Clips can range from standard user interface elements to complex interactions, such as multiple choice questions with variable responses for training applications. User groups are already releasing Smart Clips on the Web for free use.
Macromedia Flash 5
Price: $849 (Upgrade $324.50)
Distributor: Firmware Design
Phone: 1300 369 951
Distributor: Scholastic Australia
Phone: 1800 665 774
