What's New

Welcome to Macromedia Flash MX. This page provides an overview of some of the new features in this release.

For the designer

Flash MX provides new video capabilities, enhanced color management, Timeline layer folders, and an optimized workspace with a context-sensitive Property inspector.

For the developer

Flash MX gives application developers access to advanced scripting and debugging tools, built-in code reference, and Flash components to rapidly deploy rich Web applications.

For information about all the new features in Flash MX, select Help > Using Flash.

Backward compatibility with Flash 5 documents

Using the File > Save As command, you can now save your documents in the Flash 5 document format. This allows you to share files between Flash MX and Flash 5 projects.

Color management

Flash MX provides improved color mixing tools as well as gradient and bitmap fill editing, all integrated into the Color Mixer. Colors can now be added to and deleted from the Color Swatches panel with a single click.

Property inspector

Flash MX consolidates many of the panels that were separate in Flash 5 into a context-sensitive Property inspector. Based on your selection, the Property inspector displays any relevant properties for objects such as text, symbol instances, frames, and components.

International language support

Flash MX adds support for Korean and Chinese, as well the capability to create Flash content that can parse and interpret Unicode strings. In addition, you can author vertical text using the Text tool and new formatting options found in the Property inspector.

Accessibility

You can now create content that can accessed by all persons with disabilities. To author content with accessibility in mind, choose Window > Accessibility.

Expanded video capabilities

With Flash MX, you can now use the File > Import or File > Import to Library command to import any video file format into your Flash document, including MPG, DV (Digital Video), MOV (QuickTime), and AVI. When you import, a dialog box appears with compression settings, and the video is embedded directly into the Flash MX document.

Pixel-level control

Now you can easily align your bitmaps, strokes, and fills with precision to pixel boundaries on the Stage. This provides crisp, clean lines when shapes are viewed in the Flash Player. When you zoom beyond 400%, a pixel grid appears, allowing you to place and draw of shapes and objects more precisely.

Author-time shared libraries

Shared library assets lets you use assets from a source movie in multiple destination movies. Using shared library assets helps optimize your workflow and movie asset management.

Flash components

Flash MX lets you quickly develop Web application user interfaces by using components. These reusable objects consist of movie clips with associated parameters. Components can be used for a variety of functions, including interface elements, client/server interactions, and audio/video objects. Flash MX includes all of the most commonly used operating system interface elements, which users will immediately be familiar with. Each component allows you to fully customize the look and feel without compromising usability. For more information, see the Introduction to Components Tutorial and Using Flash.

Enhanced development environment

Flash MX builds upon its existing ActionScript editing environment by adding support for code hinting, colored syntax highlighting, and extensive customization. The improved ActionScript editor makes it easier for new and existing authors to access the full potential of ActionScript. Enhancements to the debugger combine existing capabilities with an integrated environment that allows you to set breakpoints and single-step through the code as it executes.

Timeline enhancements

Flash MX provides features that make it easier to use the Timeline, including layer folders, improved pointer feedback, and frame resizing. New folder layers make it easy to organize and access content in the Timeline.

Dynamic loading of images and sound

You can now download JPEG and MP3 files directly into the Flash Player using ActionScript. This eliminates the need to import your media during authoring, and greatly reduces the size of your Flash content.