Low cost alternative for creating SWF?

I'm only interested in being able to import a series of sequentially-numbered 3D renders and outputting them as a SWF animation file. I know I can do that with Xtreme4, but in that case I have to import each frame manually and after the first hundred frames or so that gets old. I tried a program called "Easy Gif Animator Pro" that claimed SWF output but it churns out SWF files that are about ten times the size of the ones Xtreme4 creates (30 16kb frames came out as over 4MB). Bust.

Paying the huge cost of buying the Macromedia software is overkill for the single purpose for which I need it. Anyone know of an alternative that doesn't cost hundreds of dollars?

Many thanks in advance.

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Originally Posted by Spinny

I have to import each frame manually

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You can select all the files from their folder and drag them all at the same time into Xtreme. Still tedious, I agree.

SwishMax is a cheaper alternative to Adobe Flash. http://www.swishzone.com/index.php

Bill,

That looks very promising, thanks!

I haven't tried it myself, but Coffeecup has some kind of flash tool.

They do offer a free trial, too.

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Originally Posted by pauland

You can select all the files from their folder and drag them all at the same time into Xtreme. Still tedious, I agree.

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Maybe it's just I'm still too new with these programs, but doesn't that just drop them all into the image gallery in pretty much random order, and then each one still has to be dragged into individually-created frames in the frame gallery one by one?

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Originally Posted by dogbertbh

I haven't tried it myself, but Coffeecup has some kind of flash tool.

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Heh. For private reasons that's kind of funny. I really appreciate the suggestion, thanks! :D

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Originally Posted by Spinny

Maybe it's just I'm still too new with these programs, but doesn't that just drop them all into the image gallery in pretty much random order, and then each one still has to be dragged into individually-created frames in the frame gallery one by one?

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I guess your'e right. I don't really use frames very much!

I said it was still tedious!

Paul

Heh.

Well, apparently Swish Max2 isn't going to fit the bill, either. I installed a trial version and it cannot automatically assign sequentially-numbered images to frames; you have to manually assign each image to a frame, just like with Xara products. Bummer.

I looked into Premiere Elements 7, but Adobe's web site has made it impossible for me to log in using Firefox and impossible to download without a crash in IE7. I settled for posting a query on their support board. I know it doesn't output swf, which is a PITA, but if it can do everything else maybe I can just output a flv and convert it.

BTW I have the CoffeeCup animator application and it goes through the motions of supporting what I need but the resulting file quality is terrible. They have no plans to address that in the near future.

Is this a one-off project?

PICASA >> Select Folder of sequentially named images >>Create>>Movie (.avi)
VIRTUAL DUB >> Edit out Picasa opening screen (optional)
FORMAT FACTORY >> Convert .AVI to .SWF

All freeware.

Job done.. :)

No, it's a capability I've decided I want to have, but one I'm not willing to spend hundreds of dollars acquiring. :p

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Originally Posted by sledger

PICASA >> Select Folder of sequentially named images >>Create>>Movie (.avi)
VITUAL DUB >> Edit out Picasa opening screen (optional)
FORMAT FACTORY >> Convert .AVI to .SWF

All freeware.

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Very interesting. I'll give that a go, and thanks!

you say you have the individual 3D files..
but by chance did you create these files in a 3D program that will render an output as an animated .gif ?
..if so you can import this anime.gif file directly onstage into Flash..
Flash will then deConstruct the anime automaticlly into the Timelined Frames.
..download a Trail version of Flash8 or newer.
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another good, low cost program for .swf creation is MotionArtist.
I've used this program & it is very easy & outputs very good quality .swf
http://my.smithmicro.com/win/motionartist/index.html

Well, for what it's worth, the latest Format Factory is awesome! I had an older version of it already, but they've added many new formats since I last looked at it, including the very nice swf creator. Definitely recommend! :cool:

Format Factory is a good choice, I have used it for a long time, really works great.

Hi Guys,

I have been using a free download of Flash slideshow maker v4.11. I have found its good and really simple for creating slideshows. I normally make my slides in PS3 first though. You get nice control of the transitions etc, only downside of the free download is it inserts a slide advertising itself into every gallery.

Check here for a few examples http://www.southpacificadventure.com/photo%20gallery/

Hope its of some help.

Jp