[sfr]

I just noticed (I'm a bit slow ) that Adobe is coming out with a Flash-style program called LiveMotion which can even output to the Flash format. Sounds very interesting, but I'm wondering how well LiveMotion can match Flash's file size optimization features in different cases and if it's missing any Flash features...

I tried searching around for any LiveMotion vs Flash comparisons, but didn't find a lot of facts. So, if anyone has tried both programs, or come across any good comparisons, please share - I'm sure I'm not the only one who would be interested?

Saffron / Sunflower

[Grihan]

I used Livemotion for the flash movies on my webpage. I only used the beta version, and I think it is more easy to use than Flash program, it is very, very similar to Adobe After Effects, but instead exporting to avi, Livemotion exports to swf (flash movie). I think that Livemotion is more for artist and Flash is more for programmers.



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-------------------------
Alberto Moreno "Grihan"
[email protected]
http://www.grihan.com
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[assa]

I've been working with Flash from the Future
Splash days (xtremely buggy) and i've tried
the Livemotion beta. (cuz it's free hehe).

It's NO flashkiller, cuz it lacks plenty of
functions, and stuff like that. Fans of the
'known' adobe interface might prefer it, but
e.g the scripting functions/possibilities
are like using Flash version 2 & 3.

I'm pretty used to the crappy and strange
Flash interface, and i'll stick to the mother
program of all .swf building, untill Adobe
adds some xtra flavour to Livemotion.
Like all common sense designers i'm NOT
drawing a single piece of gfx in Flash cuz
that's looking for trouble and stress (my
trusty Freehand does the job).
Comparing Flash and Livemotion in advanced
.swf animation possibilities, Flash does the
job way better.

But.. simply test it yourself and give it a
go. I'm not an illustrator freak either, so
i don't really care about 'adobe shortcuts'
and ditto interface.

assa
-----
pro designer/artist

[sfr]

Yep, I downloaded the trial version of LiveMotion and have been playing around with it for a while now, and I have to say it's immediately obvious that it lacks many of Flash's advanced features (unless I'm missing a lot - could be, I only browsed through the html manual).

Sure, the timeline looks like After Effects which would be a big plus for me, but it's very annoying that it actually has lots of differences from AE - what's the point in making a look-a-like interface that doesn't work the same way? It's just frustrating.

So I guess I'll stick with Flash as well, especially as I use Freehand rather than Illustrator anyway. Thanks for the replies Grihan and assa!

Saffron / Sunflower

[Chapel]

Well, I'm sorta new to both. I've just recently started learning Flash and thought I would try Live Motion. LiveMotion is nice if you want to make a quick intro or banner, but you will need to use Flash if you want to make a flash website. LiveMotion lacks several of the features needed. Also, the more advanced your flash movies get the more you will notice that LiveMotion can't support what you want to do.

[Moose]

I havent't downloaded the Adobe thing, but I would proably just as well stick with Macromedia. There have been similar debates about GoLive and Dreamweaver, (Dreamweaver all the way!) when it comes to HTML, but again, I have never worked with GoLive..I have used Dreamweaver since day one. Stick to Macromedia for the web stuff, they do a great job with the code.

I think that would prefer Director over Flash or LiveMotion, but I want to get a copy of Flash and give it whirl.

[This message has been edited by Moose (edited May 22, 2000).]

[Moose]

I havent't downloaded the Adobe thing, but I would proably just as well stick with Macromedia. There have been similar questions about GoLive and Dreamweaver, (Dreamweaver all the way!) when it comes to HTML, but again, I have never seen or worked with GoLive..I have used Dreamweaver since day one.

I think that would prefer Director over Flash or LiveMotion, but I want to get a copy of Flash and give it whirl.