Wildform SWfX Version 2.1
September 26, 2001
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Make no doubt that even if the subject of this review was not
useful, it would still be fun to use. The headline above is
proof. (Hit the refresh button to see it develop again). The
bonus comes when you realize that Wildform's SWfX is also useful
to enliven Web pages, create introductions to sites, and to add
to movies created in Flash.
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Recently released version 2.1 is one of the better Flash-type
text creation programs we've seen, and it is one of the most
complete. The program alone comes with 300 effects, and even more
are available for free at the Wildform Web site. Further, users
can make their own effects.
Add to that the fact that the program is easy to use, easy to
place on Web sites, and costs a mere $29, and it becomes even
more difficult to find something to quibble about with SWfX.
Effects pretty much run the gamut of possiblities, from simply
appearing on screen to making entrances well beyond the normal.
SWfX's interface is colorful and clean, and users really won't
need instruction manuals to tell them how to put it to good use.
Here are the steps to create a text animation:
- In the "Font" box, type in the text you wish to have
animated. Click on the line below the text box to choose the font
(it works with your system's True Type and ATM fonts, except for
unicode fonts), weight, and size font desired. In that same box
the user can choose the x,y placement of the text, as well as the
letter and word spacing and type color.
- In the "Movie" box, the user selects the size of the
movie (the term used to describe all of the animations), the
frames per second, the background color, a link for the movie to
go to after it runs and a target window in which it will open.
- On the left side of the interface, there is a list of the
many effects available. The program allows for easy preview of
each of the effects, simply by clicking on the effect. There
are 123 Flash 3 effects and 180 Flash 4 effects included. Flash 3
effects can be imported into Macromedia Flash, while Flash 4 and
5 handle the effects best with the "load movie" ActionScript
command.
- In the bottom box, users can choose how they wish to preview
the animation (such as looping or running one time), and how to
save the creation (either the .SWF file or as an HTML file).
When users export their effects to run in Flash movies, it is
important that they select "high quality" and then embed the
movie with a "quality=high" parameter. Otherwise,
regardless of how good the effect looks in preview, it will
appear jagged in the movie.
When users choose to export in HTML, the program will make it an
independent file. However, the necessary information can be
placed into an existing HTML file by simpling copying the
embedded parts and pasting them into the target file.
Perhaps the best part of the effects created by SWfX is that they
are small in size, load quickly, and run smoothly. Or, maybe it's
the quality provided for only $29.
What is it called again?
Wildform SWfX Version 2.1
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What platforms can use it? PC and Mac.
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Where can I get it?
http://www.wildform.com
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How much does it cost? $29
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How big is the download? 2.37 MB
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Do I recommend it? It's one of
the best text-animation programs I've found, and those needing
such a tool would be well advised to grab it quick.
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