What Is Adobe Flash & What Does it Do With Dreamweaver?

Adobe Flash is a computer software product marketed by Adobe. It is included in the Adobe Creative Suite. Flash is primarily used to create web-based animations and to embed video into websites. It can be partnered with Dreamweaver to create interactive websites.

What is Adobe Flash?

Adobe Flash is a computer software program that was originally developed to produce 2-D animation. It was first marketed under the Flash name by the Macromedia company in 1996. In 2005, Adobe purchased Macromedia and now controls the company's product line. The latest version, Flash Professional CS5, was released in April of 2001 and is a standard part of the Adobe Suite. It is available as a free trial from the Adobe website. With an interface that somewhat mimics a film, users are able to edit animations frame by frame with assistance provided by the advanced controls of the program.

Flash Uses

According to Adobe, the Flash platform has three main uses: embedding video, building web applications and creating interactive experiences. Flash is used to create website animations with a high degree of visual complexity and movement, which can be developed manually or can be scripted using ActionScript, a language associated with the Adobe Flash program. Popular video websites, like YouTube, use Flash Player to play embeded videos. Other sites, like Newgrounds, feature flash videos created by amateur designers.

Interaction With Dreamweaver

Flash and Dreamweaver interact to provide a comprehensive website-building experience. Dreamweaver is an Adobe product designed for beginning and advanced site builders, and with the addition of Flash, users have the ability to create a site that is both interactive and can display advanced animations. Dreamweaver and Flash are both Adobe products, which makes integration easier than when using Dreamweaver and a third-party site development program. Animations or menus created in Flash can be imported into Dreamweaver with just a few mouse clicks. Websites that are designed in Flash can also be imported into Dreamweaver, making publishing and managing the site easier.

References

• Adobe: What is Flash Professional?

Resources

• Adobe: Download a Free Trial of Flash Professional CS5