If you like the Flash files at the top and bottom of this review,
you will love a product called Mix-FX that was used to create it.
You will also like the fact that you don't have to risk reaching
retirement age before it begins working on your Web page.
That's because not only does Mix-FX create great looking effects,
it does so while making the files unusually small. The examples
on this page are a combined 8k.
Mix-FX has a nice looking interface that basically takes you
step-by-step through the creation process. That's good because
most of us don't read operation manuals anyway.
When completed, users can save their creation as an HTML page, as
an .SWF file for import into
Flash, direct use on a Web page such as has been done here,
into a PowerPoint presentation, or into video editing software
for broadcasting purposes.
Perhaps this is a good time to tell you that the program only
costs $40, but if you purchase it before September 1, 2001 it is
available at half price, after a free trial period if you so
choose to go that route. Please note that during the trial
period, whatever you type into the program will be changed to
gibberish and the effect changed until you pay for the product.
At least, though, you can see how the program works.
Between the text effects, the background effects, the colors, the
fonts, the sizes, and all other options, there are a huge number
of effects available within this relatively small but powerful
program. The example at the beginning of this article uses no
text effect and the Lighthouse background effect. The list
on the left gives you the various background effects, and each of
those can be altered in size.
Here is how the program works:
Step 1: Select "Enter Text", then type the
words you want displayed into the program. That is the way you
input all options that require more than a mere selection.
Step 2: Choose the text effect you wish. The above
example uses "standard," but other effects include random box,
triple mirror, triple speed, digital, shake, balanced shake,
shake to the right, rotate, splash in, blow out, and several
more.
Step 3: Select the font you want to use. There are 11
fonts that come with the program covering most styles. Currently,
those are the only fonts that can be used as it does not allow
the use of system fonts.
Step 4: Choose the size, color, and rotation of the
text. That rotation will stay static once it is determined. Users
can select any color they want simply by clicking on one of them
or by entering the Hex code if the one they want is not shown.
Step 5: Next comes the background effect, and users
can choose the effect they want, its size, color, and rotation.
Most effects work in Flash 4 or higher; a couple require Flash 5.
Step 6: Here is where users can choose the size of
their movie and the background color.
Step 7: Either save it as described above or preview
it in a browser, then save it.
Those using Mix-FX to create flash files do not have to have
Flash or Shockwave installed on their computer.
The company that makes Mix-FX is the same company that produces
FlaX, another great text
animation product reviewed here recently. By using another of
their programs — Clipyard — it is possible to combine
the products of two programs to make multiple-line effects.
Clipyard is a free product that can be picked up at the same site
listed below for Mix-FX.
Note also that there is no Mac version of the product, but of
course the Flash files created can be played on a Mac.
Mix-FX is a great program for creating eye-catching effects. It
is also a great program to simply play with to see what you can
produce. And, remember, you get to see the results the same day.
How much does it cost? $20 until
September 1, 2001; $40 thereafter
How big is the download? 1 MB unzipped; 843 K
zipped
Is it worth the money?
Definitely, even if you just want something to play with.
However, it is a powerful tool at a very reasonable cost and a
great addition to any Web builder's arsenal.
Mix-FX has a nice looking interface that basically takes you
step-by-step through the creation process. That's good because
most of us don't read operation manuals anyway.
Between the text effects, the background effects, the colors, the
fonts, the sizes, and all other options, there are a huge number
of effects available within this relatively small but powerful
program. The example at the beginning of this article uses no
text effect and the Lighthouse background effect. The list
on the left gives you the various background effects, and each of
those can be altered in size.