Why It’s Not Just A ‘Flash’ In The Pan:
Web Media is the in-thing now. You can’t ignore the auto-loop videos which we come across on Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr. And before we get started, you might’ve heard of this simple little multi-billion platform which goes by the name YouTube. All the magic of videos comes to your browser and systems, with high definition streaming quality.
And you won’t see the difference between the TrueHD quality of storage devices and the streaming quality of these. Have you ever wondered, as to what makes these videos come alive? Well, there’s a simple answer to it. Flash media is the prime support tools which are bringing all the media on the web to matter the most.
Of course, you may have seen the notifications which ask you for permissions for running these content. Yes, media content is what we are drafting our discussion about. The factor in play is Flash.
Simple as that. Technically, that’s all you need to know. But when we delve deeper, we can see that there’s an important history going in for the discussion of Flash. Adobe Flash Adobe Flash (formerly Macromedia Flash) is a multimedia platform originally acquired by Macromedia and currently developed and distributed by Adobe Systems.
Since its introduction in 1996, Flash has become a popular method for adding animation and interactivity to web pages. Historically, in 1992, Macromedia, an American web development enterprise brought out the media enhancement program, which was known by the name, macro flash.
Why Is Flash A Big Deal For Every Web Service?
As per our discussion earlier, Flash which comes across with an extension of SWF, is a primary component of web experience in the recent past. It enters into the internet when any publisher needs to bring the media, audio, and video content across the web space, via a standard readable platform.
Of course, this means the format in question, SWF Flash needs to be device, browser, and operating system independent. It all boils down to the way in which Adobe can manipulate, modify, and carry on dealing with scalable vector images, video inputs (MP4, AVI, 3GPP, etc.).
Now there are hardly any devices out in the market, which does not support this format. Today we can see that most of our Smartphones, Laptops, and Desktop systems. After all, this is necessary almost to any device which is looking to connect to the worldwide web and entertain any media.
Perhaps, Adobe recognised this want and bought Flash (and recently Air) which are all available for free. All versions of Flash till this date have all been available for free. The operating systems which support the content of Flash are Chrome environment, Windows operating system, and Ubuntu systems.
Within these devices, the programmers use Flash for multiple purposes. Adobe Flash is commonly used to create and load up, Interactive Website, create advertisements, Audio and Video Streaming, Develop Rich Internet Applications, Company Presentation, and 2D or 3D Games.
This is possible with a scripting system in Flash which is highly flexible and cross-platform compatible. Adobe uses Flash Action Script to bring the best input scripting design for the several software products, systems, and devices can create or display Flash content, including Adobe Flash Player. Of course, the biggest benefit with this is that Flash is available free for most common web browsers.
When Flash Is Here, Why Do We Need HTML5 At All
To start of discussion regarding using Flash is that the software is proprietary software. What do we mean by this? In simpler terms, Proprietary software’s can only be logged in and distributed by a particular company. In this case, Flash is a proprietary software for Adobe software systems.
Although, Adobe over the years has forwarded support to almost all the major browsers and platforms. However, in the recent past, browser systems, majorly Chrome are looking to build a format which finally goes out of the control of Adobe.
This context is something which we’d need to explain the whole concept of HTML5. While we are on the discussion, HTML5 is a universal format for cross-browser, cross-platform free source media platform.
HTML5 is coming to age with a web interactivity across different platforms, and operating systems without any different specification required. HTML5 comes with its set of scripting structures which makes it 17% more faster and easier than Flash.
As per the test of platforms conducted on Windows platform, the performance of HTML5 as compared to Flash is 17% rise in current draw (and a corresponding reduction in battery life) on the laptop and a 12% rise on the tablet. The difference in compatibility is not just in the mobile space but also the desktop world as well. Flash is known for having many different versions of the Flash player out there.
Therefore, it becomes a wonderful aspect of media support across the various devices. Also, when it comes to bringing the media with legacy support HTML5 brings an undeniable lead on Flash support.
How To Convert Flash To HTML5?
Flash To HTML5 Conversion
When we list out the benefits and speed of HTML5 files as out with Flash SWF files, the next apparent question is, how do we achieve Flash to HTML5 conversion. There are multiple tools which are available online, free, or otherwise, which can help you do the necessary tasks. For most of the coders and programmers, the basic free tool that is available for free is Google Swiffy. Let’s now look at the way we can use Swiffy to achieve the best conversion without data loss.
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Google Swiffy can convert Flash on the fly right in your browser, and the conversion process is very fast – results often appear within seconds.
However, on the downside, you can see that sometimes the ActionScript2 and 3, which offers more functionality, fails on this platform. Although, the tool which brings the conversion is slowly being warded off by the makers.
Now that Google Swiffy is becoming more and more redundant let’s look at how we can use other tools for the same effect.
If you are a publisher, you can use the following tools for conversion. Also, most of these tools work best for the projects which involve E-Learning portals.
Best Tools For Flash To HTML5 Conversion
Articulate Storyline
The best things with these tools are the way in which they convert. All the tools in this list pride themselves in being quick and efficient with the input you give them.
The list starts with Articulate Storyline which is one of the best rapid authoring tools that is highly applicable for eLearning courses to HTML5 easily. The tools usually help the publishers access and convert the articles from within their choice of devices like laptop, PC, iPad, or any other mobile device.
Articulate Storyline provides various built-in templates and interactivities which can be used directly or customised according to your strategy instructions and goals.
You can also create your templates and interactivities for your e-learning courses. Other additional things that the tool provides you with are- slide layers, triggers, variable, quizzes, and more.
Naturally, these features help you create any interactivity, simple or complex, quite easily. This authoring tool is considered the best when you need to develop HTML5-compatible courses in a short time of its establishment.
Adobe Captivate Flash Conversion Tool
Adobe Captivate was introduced as a tool to develop software training simulations. Presently, it is emerging as one of the best tools for HTML5 conversions. It also provides built-in interactivities and templates, but customising them is not as simple as with Storyline.
Captivate also provides features such as the Twitter widget, Tin Can API support, and helps embed YouTube videos. Such features make Adobe Captivate an ideal tool for converting Flash-based e-learning courses to HTML5. The biggest advantages you get while using Adobe Captivate are,
- Adobe Captivate Draft, which is primarily useful for saving storyboard ideas to fully interactive online eLearning course.
- Device specific delivery which works according to the device adaptability. It allows you to make one master course which you adapt to various devices and platforms.
- Asset store option within Adobe Captivate is another feature which makes getting the store of assets easy to manage. With over 25000 store assets which help eCourse learning that makes interactive session come alive much more.
- Multimedia insertion which allows impressive selection of multimedia tools, ranging from HD screen capture and screencasting to audio synchronisation and scenario branching.
- Adobe Captivate 9 also brings Branch Aware facilities to system quizzes, bringing complete the recommended module, the system then quizzes them again to monitor their progress. The latest version also includes Knowledge Check questions to help learners stay on track.
- Geo Location gives you the ability to locate users and clients across the globe, and bring location based modules. Also, you can adjust the software to reflect the local customs, currency and language as well, depending on the Geo Location.
- Pricing is also one thing that may be favourable for you to use Adobe Captivate Flash conversion tool. With monthly subscription tools, and annual pricing plans and free upgrades for a lifetime, Adobe Captivate offers beautiful things to do.
Lectora Inspire Conversion Suite
Critics hail Lectora Inspire to be the fastest conversion tool out in the market. Of course, faster than anything else we’ve seen till now. It is first rapid conversion tool for HTML5 which delivers on its experience and promise.
Also, It helps you convert text-heavy courses into a simple and easy format so that they quickly adapt to smaller screen sizes. It also provides a built-in table of content, click-on-tabs, and more.
Lectora Inspire helps you publish your e-learning content to HTML5, AICC, and SCORM so that your learners can access the e-learning courses on desktops, iPads, or any other mobile devices.
iSpring Conversion Tools
iSpring is a different tool compared to the other tools which we saw above. Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, and Lectora Inspire help you develop HTML5 compatible e-learning courses.
However, iSpring helps you convert interactive PowerPoint presentations to HTML5, supporting e-learning courses. In simple words, makers publish PowerPoint presentations to HTML5 using iSpring to create professional mobile-ready presentations.
This tool preserves the animations and interactivities present in the PowerPoint slide decks. Also, the tool provides similar output in the HTML5 version as well. You can also convert the PowerPoint presentations into videos that can you can play on your iPads.
What Can Go Wrong While Conversion Of Flash To HTML5
- The biggest problems which arise while conversion of Flash to HTML5 with the above-said tools is that, they lack support for newer legacy changes. For instance, once you do convert and implement the converted file, the changes in ActionScript will render it useless. Therefore, you will then need to restart again. Hence, it is not exactly a paradise to go for these tools.
- Most of these tools fail to provide Flash SWF to HTML5 conversion which is truly capable of reading. Hence, a profession conversion service provider is the need of the hour in bringing every element to the mobile platform.
- Although HTML5 by default is a cross-platform cross-operating system, sometimes client based legacy elements may not allow you to bring to Play Store or iTunes. Hence, you need to see how each requirement is factored in within the conversion.
- Converting HTML5 still, has some limitations. HTML5 has largely replaced Flash for online videos, advertising, and animations, but still, has some performance limitations when it comes to more complex applications. The power of HTML5 (+Javascript & CSS 3) is advancing, but creating complex apps with HTML5 can be more challenging compared to Flash. Thus, you will have to get some professional help.
Best Solution For How To Convert SWF To HTML5
Now that we have an idea about all things related to SWF Flash and HTML5, we can safely say that the worldwide web is slowly moving to HTML5.
However, the cons closely follow pros when we take up the free tools and go for an unprofessional way of doing it. However, the errors and lost conversions, are a thing of the past.
You just must pick a professional conversion services company and your work in in safe hands. We are someone exactly who you are looking for.
We bring our innovative and proprietary tools and global publishing experience to you. In turn, We will convert your Flash media files to HTML5 to bring out the best in the web for your use. Get in touch with us right now and let’s start doing great stuff from as early as tomorrow.
