AnFX 5 Feature Map
| The
AnFX design studio allows you to create animations and export them to either
the Flash Player or the AnFX Java Player format. While the vast
majority of features work for both players there are a small number of
features, that due to the limitation of the player or the software will only work
on one of the players and not the other. The table below is a comprehensive list of features and which format they will work with. Any features not on the list can be assumed to work under both formats. The Flash exporter is being continually improved. As we implement more features we make a new release of AnFX so keep your eye out for new releases of the product. Should I export to Flash or the AnFX Java Applet player? There are are number of factors in deciding which technology to use to deploy your designs. Many web designers choose to deploy their designs as Flash as the Flash player comes preinstalled with most popular browsers. If you are distributing your designs on a CD-ROM then Flash is also an attractive option. Microsoft has ceased shipping their Java Virtual Machine with recent copies of Internet Explorer and Windows XP and it can no longer be downloaded from their website. While most PCs still have a Java Virtual Machine to play the AnFX Java applet some newer PCs might require a download of Sun's Java Virtual Machine to play Java applets. This may be a factor in deciding to deploy your designs as Flash instead of Java. Many modern mobile phone and other portable devices have a built in Java Virtual Machine which can run the Java Applet player so if you are deploying your designs to these devices you should export to Java. |
|
| Feature | Works under Flash Player (.swf) | Works under AnFX Player (.afx) | Works within the AnFX Studio Simulator |
| Rotate any actor except multiline text actors Select the actor then right click in the sequencer window and choose "Initial Rotation..." to set up a rotation action. |
Yes | No | Yes, except for multiline text actors. |
| Antialiased fonts ie., smooth edges |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Antialiased shapes ie., smooth edges |
Yes | No | Yes |
| True alpha transparencies ie., semi transparent actors blend properly when over the top of other actors. To fade an object set up an intensity action in the sequencer window |
Yes | Only fade properly if a solid color the same as the background color is behind the object. | Yes |
| Upload a single file to your webserver containing the animation | Yes | Must also upload any images or audio files as well | not applicable |
| Audio | Yes [Has problem if set up to start right at beginning of scene. Make sound start 10ms into scene to avoid this issue] |
Yes | No |
| Mouse actions | Yes | Yes | Not supported but can be simulated by selecting the mouse event you want to test in the "Show Actions for" and pressing play. |
| JPEG images | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GIF images | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Image Cyclers | No | Yes | Displays the name of the current image in a gray rectangle |
| Ellipse Outlines | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rounded rectangles | All rectangles are drawn without rounded corners regardless of the settings in the studio. | Yes | Yes |
| Ellipses | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Transitions | No | Yes | No |
| Independent scene background colors | No - the background of all scenes is determined by the Background color in the Production properties form | Yes | Yes |