How To Differentiate Between Flash and Swish

Flash (formerly known as Macromedia Flash, now called Adobe Flash) is a popular multimedia software used to create animations and other forms of web page design that allows the inclusion of videos in web pages. Flash can control vector and graphics and allows two-way streaming of sounds and videos. It features a scripting language dubbed ActionScript. The current version is the Flash CS4 Professional, which is powered by several new features absent in Flash CS3 Professional. The new arsenal includes the "object based animation" which would allow you to have utmost control over each animation attributes by using tweens or movement effects direct to objects rather than to keyframes. Another new feature is the "3D transformation," which would enable you to animate 2D objects through x, y, and z axes giving you 3D space.

Swish is a flash designing software for a graphic artist. It can create flash animation with little difficulty. It incorporates in its package over 350 ready-made multimedia effects, and has more than 180 ready to use tools and shapes. It can import photos, graphics, sounds and videos from most of the commonly used file formats. The output can be exported in either flash, video, or in a .gif file. For advanced users, it offers a potent scripting language. In addition, it offers a wide array of controlling motion, changing shapes and modifying texts.

Generally, Flash and Swish can perform the same functions and both produce the same export file .swf, which can be displayed with the use of a Flash player. But despite this similarity, there are still some important differences between the two that could help you decide which software to purchase.

Differences:

1. Learning curve. Swish has a lower learning curve. This means that Swish is simpler to learn but provides few other uses after learning how to use it. On the other hand. Flash has a higher learning curve compared to Swish and this will imply a higher degree of difficulty in terms of learning but it will offer you a wide selection of features to use after you have learned how to utilize it.
2. Ease of use. If you want to create an animation in fast and simple manner then Swish will answer your needs, but if you are a serious flash designer then Flash is the right choice.
3. Target market. If you are into the business of serving the web design needs of clients, Flash will answer all your needs and your output will impress your clients and make them hire you again. But if your agenda is to sell products and merely to advertise goods, Flash is not necessary and Swish will fit all your animation needs.
4. Price. Swish is cheaper than Flash. SWiSH Max2, the current version of Swish, can be purchased for only $149.95 while Flash CS4 professional costs $699.00. The price difference means that Flash is around five times more expensive than Swish.

The software of choice all depends on how fast you need your animation to be done, what industry you are in or what service you will make use of the program, your allotted budget and lastly how user friendly you want your animation tool to be. If you are not sure what you will choose between Flash and Swish, keep in mind that there is a trial version for each software. Test first before buying.