Web Page Animation Software

Tasteful animation elements can add a lot to your design. However, this software can be used for a lot more, allowing you to build complete web applicaitons. You may be interested in reading my ideas on the issue of how animation should be used on a website.

Macromedia (Adobe) Flash

Web Page Animation Software

Flash is a powerful, complex, rich and difficult applicaiton. It is capable of producing a wide array of remarkable results - animation, animated navigation, forms, video and audio.

In your journeys through the Web, you have surely experienced some of the fantastic animation that is possible with this program. A capable Flash programmer is not limited to creating animation - they can create complete websites - rich in functionality.

I do not like working with Flash. I find it difficult and counterintuitive, and have a hard time doing even simple things.  Getting the most out of Flash requires training, and, in all fairness, I have not spent a lot of time doing this. However, the payoffs are great if you can master this program.

One thing that Flash has going for it is the way it handles video.  The latest version of Flash (Flash 8 Professional) has much improved and simplified tools for creating integrating video into your website. As a matter of fact, it comes with a separate video batch processor so you don't even need to open the Flash program to convert video into the Flash format. The new Flash video output is much improved and rivals the mpeg4 video produced by Quicktime. You can then use Dreamweaver to place the video into a web page complete with embedded controls.  If you are looking to implement video on a web site, this is certainly worth taking a look at.

Another thing Flash has going for it are the tons of professional looking, high quality templates available for it (see some of the new Flash 8 templates availabe at Template Monster . The caveat - you better have your skill level up in Flash to edit these effectively. And if the client wants changes to the desiign, this can be much more difficult than in a pure HTML site. Additionally, if the client wants to make changes down the road, and you're no longer available, they will need to find someone with the necessary Flash skills.

SWiSH Max

When I need to create Flash animations, I use a tool called SWiSH Max. This allows me to create relatively quick and simple animations in an intuitive fashion.  I really like SWiSH Max and it’s not very expensive. It comes loaded with hundreds of effects, each of which would take me years to program in Flash. It also allows you to do programming, so can be very useful in creating navigation and other elements that need to respond to user input. SWiSH Max can handle audio and video, and many templates and other tools are available at the SWiSHzone website. The output of SWiSH Max is an .SWF file, which plays in the Flash Player. Sometimes I've used SWiSH Max to create fancy animations using the built in effects, and moved them over to Flash to become part of a larger more complex movie.

Note: I receive some compensation if you purchase products mentioned on this page.