Macromedia has released Macromedia Flash Professional 8, the latest version of the Flash authoring tool used by designers and developers to create rich interactive content for Web sites, interactive presentations and mobile devices.
According to Jeremy Matthews, MD of local Web enablement specialist and Macromedia distributor, Dax Data, Flash Professional 8 is a significant release that encompasses major advancements in expressive tools, video, quality user experiences and mobile content authoring.
Flash Professional 8 is part of Macromedia Studio 8, a software suite that also includes Macromedia Dreamweaver 8, Macromedia Fireworks 8, Macromedia Contribute 3 and Macromedia FlashPaper 2.
"Now with the new real-time effects, alpha-channel video, improved text rendering and performance improvements in Flash Professional 8, we can`t wait to see what Flash designers and developers will come up with," says Matthews.
Flash Professional 8 enables creative professionals to design and develop interactive content that provides customers with the most engaging online experiences. The software now includes tools for designing graphic effects, animation, text, video and content for mobile devices.
New effects, including drop shadow, blur, glow, bevel and colour adjust, permit more compelling designs with pixel-perfect control and precision. The new custom easing tool enables precise control over animation. The FlashType font-rendering engine ensures clear, high-quality text. "These new expressive features raise the bar for the quality of business and individual Web sites and improve digital experiences," says Matthews.
The new video tools and workflows in Flash Professional 8 offer industry-first capabilities for integrating video within digital experiences. Video professionals can now easily design, encode and deploy customised, interactive video using the new Flash Video Encoder, which delivers some of the highest quality video in the industry at the smallest file sizes. The encoder operates as part of the integrated authoring tools in Flash or as a standalone product with batch-encoding options.
New support for 8-bit alpha channels at runtime means customers can now combine semi-transparent video with other video, graphics, or digital assets for high quality online productions. Also included is a new Flash Video plug-in for professional non-linear video editing systems so editors can export video directly for the Web in Flash Video format.
Flash Professional 8 also includes core tools to aid developers who want to create and deploy content and applications for mobile devices using the Macromedia Flash Lite player. It includes interactive device emulators that make it easy for developers to build content once and test it on a wide variety of devices using preset, updatable profiles for more than 70 mobile devices enabled with Flash Lite.
"In mobile development, timing is critical. The new mobile testing features will save Flash developers and designers valuable time as they continue to bring to market innovative content and applications for mobile devices," says Matthews.
All content created in Flash Professional 8 is viewable by worldwide audiences with Macromedia Flash Player. The newest version, Macromedia Flash Player 8, maximises the online viewing experience. To learn more about Flash Professional 8, please visit http://www.daxdata.co.za/htm/flash_8_pro.html.
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Dax Data is a value-added software distributor and product marketing organisation, focusing on Web technology and host connectivity. With offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg, it holds a variety of distribution and remarketing agreements for local markets, including:
* Macromedia - Web design and development tools and servers
* NetManage - RUMBA and OnWeb web enablement and host connectivity
* Graphon - Thin Client Solutions
* DataMirror - Enterprise connectivity, data availability and disaster recovery with replication products
* Logitech - Webcams and desktop peripherals
Historically, Dax Data has assisted companies with delivery of mainframe-based information to open systems platforms such as PCs and LANs - primarily by means of the NetManage suite of products such as RUMBA, which it has distributed since 1992.
Developments in recent years have seen the company expand its range of Web technologies; its distribution agreement with Macromedia becoming a mainstay. Dax Data works with a number of resellers, consulting and training partners to ensure the successful delivery of customer solutions. Driven by customer demand, Dax Data has transitioned strongly into the Web development market, offering a set of value-added services that include: presales evaluation programmes, first line technical support, consultancy and training. Dax Data enjoys various industry accreditations and is recognised as a Microsoft Certified Partner, IBM Business Partner and Sun iForce Partner.
Macromedia
Experience matters. Macromedia is motivated by the belief that great experiences build great businesses. Our software empowers millions of business users, developers, and designers to create and deliver effective, compelling and memorable experiences - on the Internet, on fixed media, on wireless, and on digital devices.
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