first purchase of Flash

[taylornow]

Hello everybody - My division is creating a distance learning program and we are all very very new to it. My question is really an opininion question. We are looking at all the programs to purchase for Macromedia Flash, and there are so mamy versions - honestly - I am confused. Does anyone have tips on which one has worked the best for them ? Thanks so much -

Taylor

 

[natedeia]

i had Flash 4 them upgraded to Flash 5. i would suggest just getting the newest version, even though 4 was good. not much of an opinion!

 

[rh71]

Well what do you mean "purchase with Flash"? Are you looking for tools that will allow you to implement Flash into HTML? Graphics? 3D Graphics?

There's supplemental programs to Flash such as Swish, FlaxFX, and Swift3D. While I'm not familiar with Swift3D, I know Swish and FlaxFX can do amazing things with text effects VERY easily. These are little $30 programs that help a great deal...

 

[rh71]

Nevermind my above post (can't edit in these forums eh?)... I misunderstood and didn't see the word "version" the first time in your post.

Anyway, as a beginner, Flash 4 was easier to grasp, but Flash 5 is much much more powerful. When I had to switch to the Flash 5 interface, I was lost for about a week or so. Now I've realized how much better Flash 5 is and how good it is with actionscript.

Anyway, it depends what you're going for... and if there will be any training for your users... or if they're going to be learning it on the job as they go...

 

[taylornow]

thanks you guys - I am sure we will be posting many more questions here once we get going !

taylor

 

[TulsaJeff]

Flash 5 is like Flash 4 x 10. Much more powerful...more features and knows very few bounds. Its capabilities are beyond what any of us could ever master in a few lifetimes!

If you're gonna spend the money then I suggest going with the latest version. Ya' Gotta Love It!

 

[HowardMarks]

On the point of Swift 3d- just got it last week and its brilliant, especially if you have little or no experience with regular 3D packages. The stuff you can do with it is amazing, and is usually unrecognisable as Flash. Of course it hasn't got anywhere near the advanced features of something like lightwave but you can import models from most 3d programs.

For ease of use and quick, good results for a cheap price (only $109) get swift 3d. Nick Price
nick.price@misuk.net

 

[davdesign]

hi

IMHO the leap from 4 to 5 was huge, they're almost beyond comparison, in hindsight. When 5 first came around it took a bit of getting used to (putting it mildly) the altered interface and programming style. BUT, having said that, knowing what I know now I would without doubt buy 5 and not even think about 4. If you purchase 4, you'll no doubt get to the stage very quickly where you're noticing Flash pages which utilise 5 programming which is unavailable to 4 and end up kicking yourself. Also, and probably most important, although the programming is 'kind-of' similar (but not really) between 4 and 5, there's absolutely no doubt that F6 will retain the programming style adopted with 5, so when you 'next' decide to upgrade you'll already have a grasp of the programming techniques involved.

Having said all of that, in terms of Tek-tips and asking for help, it won't matter what version you decide to buy, you'll receive the same level of help from everyone in here.

Good luck
dave davdesign@pinkzeppelin.com

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[taylornow]

Thanks so much ! That is why I joined this forum- everybody is soooooooooo helpful. You guys are the best !!

Taylor