Publishers of technology books, eBooks, and videos for creative people

Home > Articles > Design > Adobe Creative Suite

Exciting Updates to Flash Professional CC

Experienced instructor and Flash Platform expert Joseph Labrecque presents an introduction to much of what is new in Flash Professional CC; namely, the introduction of native HTML5 Canvas.
Like this article? We recommend

The Rebirth of Flash Professional CC

With the release of Adobe Flash Professional CC earlier this year, the application has undergone a drastic rebirth. Built from the ground up to be lean, modern, and extensible the Flash Professional application has truly started a new life alongside the Adobe Creative Cloud. Originally released along with the full suite of CC branded applications in June 2013, the application included a number of exciting features; Creative Cloud Sync, 64-bit architecture, Dark UI (as shown in Figure 1), unlimited pasteboard, Timeline enhancements, HD video export, Mobile development enhancements, a new code editor, and the ability to perform real-time drawing upon the Stage.

Figure 1 The Flash Professional CC interface

Wait… Isn’t Flash Dead?

Although the Flash Professional application began life closely tied to Flash Player and the SWF file format, starting with the introduction of Flash Player 9 and ActionScript 3.0, this relationship became much more relaxed. Today, with web standard technologies taking on many of the responsibilities that Flash Player once served, there is a decline in the use of the SWF format across many areas and Flash Professional is adapting to these changes by enabling the creation and export of content to serve a multitude of new and emerging platforms. At the same time, Adobe continues to improve upon and release new versions of both the Flash Player web browser plugin, and the Adobe AIR runtime for desktop and mobile applications and games.

So… No. Flash is not dead at all. The Flash Player will continue to serve those project types that require it (mostly web games and rich video projects). Adobe AIR continues to shine on iOS and Android with some of the top apps and games on those platforms built on ActionScript and third-party Flash frameworks such as Starling, Feathers, Apache Flex, Away3D, and many others. Most important to this discussion, Flash Professional will continue to enable its time-tested tooling and robust workflow to target platforms such as Flash/AIR, HTML5 Canvas, Google Dart, HD Video, and additional functionality users will come to know and love. The future of Flash Professional has never been as promising as it is right now!

What’s New (December 2013)

In this recent update for Flash Professional CC, there are a number of enhancements that do much to extend the range of targets that can be published from the application. Among these new features include fully integrated HTML5 Canvas documents along with full JavaScript editor support in the Actions Panel.

The next sections covers four of the key enhancements in support of this new Canvas integration:

HTML5 Canvas Documents

HTML5 Canvas is a new document type added to Flash Professional CC that generates an .FLA file for authoring, and targets the canvas tag of HTML. This option enables the authoring of animation and interactivity for targeting web browsers without the need for Adobe Flash Player if those extended capabilities are not needed. The generated HTML file bundle is driven by the CreateJS JavaScript library, which was previously available as an extension for both CS6 and the previous version of CC. This functionality is now included as a prime target format within the application (as shown in Figure 2) and is no longer provided through the Toolkit for CreateJS as a separate extension.

Figure 2 HTML5 Canvas Document Type

Static artwork and full animation created using this new project type can be directly published to HTML canvas using the Publish Settings panel, similar to publishing an ActionScript 3.0 document targeting Flash Player.  Because certain tools such as the 3D Rotation and Transform Tools are not applicable to the HTML canvas target, they will be disabled when this document type is selected. If you need that functionality,  you will want to be sure to target Flash Player instead when creating a new project document.

Actions Panel JavaScript Editor

When using the new HTML5 Canvas document type, you will be able to use JavaScript natively within the Actions Panel (as shown in Figure 3). This is a vast improvement over previous versions of Flash Professional which required users to include any JavaScript within a set of specific comments in order for the Toolkit for CreateJS. This new integration allows for the same features when writing ActionScript.

Figure 3 Actions Panel Supports JavaScript

The one drawback of having a document specific to ActionScript or JavaScript is that you can no longer publish to both SWF and Canvas using the same FLA document. However, Adobe has built a workflow solution into this update (which will be discussed later) and the isolation of document types allows this sort of full JavaScript support within the Actions Panel and elsewhere.

JavaScript Code Snippets

A selection of new code snippets (as shown in Figure 4) come bundled with Flash Professional that are similar to the code snippets you may be used to when writing ActionScript. However, these are written in JavaScript for use with this new document type. Along with the expected mouse events and timeline navigation snippets, you can also find some which are particular to the CreateJS libraries such as the creation of gradients and various shapes.

Figure 4 Code Snippets Panel Includes JavaScript Snippets

Just as with ActionScript code snippets, these can be accessed from within the Code Snippets panel directly or by clicking upon the Code Snippets button within the Actions panel.

HTML5 Canvas Conversion Command

When converting assets from an AS3-based FLA to one which targets HTML5 Canvas, we now have two options. The first option is to open the AS3 document, then select and copy all the layers (using the Copy Layers contextual menu item) within the Timeline. When we create a new HTML Canvas FLA, all that is needed is to paste the copied layers (using the Paste Layers contextual menu item) within that fresh Timeline and all assets and animation will be copied over.

While this method works well, it involves a number of steps and can be confusing for newcomers. Adobe has made things a bit simpler by including a new Command (as shown in Figure 5) called “Convert to HTML5 Canvas from AS3 document formats”.

Figure 5 Easily Convert Document Types from AS3 to Canvas

This Command (accessible from the application menu under Commands) can be executed upon an open AS3-based FLA and will prompt the user to save a new HTML5 Canvas-based FLA which will automatically be populated with all assets and animation from the original AS3-based document.

Video Demonstration of New Features

Interested in seeing these enhancements in action? The following video will demonstrate these major new features of Flash Professional CC.

You need to upgrade your Flash Player. You need version 9 or above to view this video. You may download it here. You may also see this message if you have JavaScript turned off. If this is the case, please enable JavaScript and reload the page.


With all of these features currently in place alongside the expectation of continued growth and support in these areas, Flash Professional CC can truly be seen as the premiere modern asset creation and rendering platform, whether you are targeting the web through Flash Player, HTML5 Canvas, or even desktop and mobile via Adobe AIR and PhoneGap.

Peachpit Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Peachpit and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Peachpit products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email ask@peachpit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.peachpit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020