I am not a Flash designer or programmer, but would like to be able to make some updates using flash, mostly videos and preloaders. Since I don't plan on using Flash regularly, I don't feel like dumping a wad on the program.

There are several knock off programs out there that are cheaper, but also less features. I have tried many trials and demos, but nothing seemed to do what I need. Or because they were demos, only did half or watermarked the finished product. So, is there a fully free Flash creation/editor out there that I missed?

try www.flashkit.com

Thank you Lady, but I don't think that was what I wanted. It had tons of tutorials, and stuff other folk had made, but I wanted to make my own... without buying Flash to do it. Yeah... I'm a cheap date too

Pretty tough to make all that Flash can make w/o actually having Flash. I don't know of any free program out there that can handle all that Flash does.

Originally Posted by LadynRed

Pretty tough to make all that Flash can make w/o actually having Flash. I don't know of any free program out there that can handle all that Flash does.

Well, I doubt I need all of Flashes features, but don't want to be herded into only being able to make movies 320x240, or have watermarks, or only the first minute of my movies... like many of these free apps I have tried. CoffeeCup, Swift, and a bunch of others that are out there, all do that. Or they only do text effects.

Here is what I want specifically- I have a nice movie I wanted as a Intro/splash page. But, it is huge, and doesn't load or play smoothly. So, I need a preloader to show something is going on while the movie loads, then play smoother because it is buffered. I have the artwork for the loader, just need to put it together so it works.

Also, Flash Village has a free template that works like a TV. It's cool and all, but it's the old fashioned Console TV. My site is a modern tech theme, so I want that same type of function to show my clips, but with a nice plasma screen and remote control. So, I either need to edit and modify their template, or create it on my own.

I don't need to make games or anything like that. I still have director for that, but it won't do what I need for my site.

P.S. I like tables... that's where I set all my stuff

P.S. I like tables... that's where I set all my stuff

But they are not necessary for layout and table-less layouts using CSS is much better for a myriad of reasons

Well.. maybe someone else will come along who has some suggestions, I don't know of any alternatives other than the ones you've mentioned. For the TV thing you want, you need to be able to code the actionscript (I've done the TV thing in flash myself some time ago).

Originally Posted by LadynRed

But they are not necessary for layout and table-less layouts using CSS is much better for a myriad of reasons

Unfortunately, my Graphics teacher at the local branch college was a nice Lady, and really knew about design and layout... but only with print. When it came to web or 3D, she was useless. I had to help her get the frames exercise to work properly. She really didn't help me learn CSS either, and it has just never caught on with me. I've seen too many sites garbled by CSS gone bad, so I stick with what I know. Old and simple

Originally Posted by LadynRed

Well.. maybe someone else will come along who has some suggestions, I don't know of any alternatives other than the ones you've mentioned.

Me neither, which is why I posted. I figure there might still be one out there I missed. I got turned onto a great Illustrator type app called InkScape. Free, and very functional. I'm just hoping one of these net weary gurus will pipe up with it.

may be you could post a bid process here?????????????

Originally Posted by skylineconsult

may be you could post a bid process here?????????????

Sure! I have no money to offer, for the lucky person who... Oh, that will never work!

I would really like to be able to do it myself, and there are lots of tutorials out there. But, like I said, I don't want to spend a chunk of cash on an app I don't plan on using much. I spent a few hundred on Premiere, but I shoot and edit video. I spent the money and bought Photoshop, because I use it daily. I would almost consider finding a crack to Flash, but I'm really trying to retire my pirate ways.

For free, you could use javascript. You can do a lot with javascript, although you need to learn some of the language. I bet you could easily find a quick tutorial on how to create fading images, moving text and so on.

If you own Photoshop 7 or higher, you can create .swf flash files with the Imageready component.

For around $100 there are a few different programs that will allow you to do flash basics.