KoolMoves
From Anipedia
KoolMoves is a Flash animation creation program by Lucky Monkey Designs LLC. The program is currently in its 6th version. It aims to be more user-friendly than the original from Adobe, providing nearly the full functionality of the original.
It is available in a boxed as well as a shareware version.
A lite version of the program called FlashyEffects is also available.
The program delivers .SWF output files according to Flash 6 or Flash8 conventions and can incorporate .FLV videos. To a limited extent, it is able to decompile .SWF files enabling editing the content. KoolMoves saves its source information in the proprietary format .FUN, which is not compatible with the .FLA format of Adobe.
New features in Version 6 include a skin enabled Media player for FLV/JPG/PNG/MP3 with support for visualizations when used with free tool MP3FD available from same company.
Free access to the KoolExchange with user submitted examples and source files
One of the major drawback of this program is its inability to incorporate widely spread applets published as .FLA source code.
[edit] Features
KoolMoves supports a wide range of features. They are listed below:
- Supports bones, and animation is key-frame based.
- Allows adding of pre-built motion scripts and configuration of them, for quickly and easily creating animations.
- Built-in customizable media components such as an audio/video player, slideshow, contentpage (similiar to <iframe> in HTML), and others.
- Supports ActionScript, have built-in editor with syntax coloring.
- Supports scenes and movie clips. Flash buttons and form components are also available.
- Supports library and shapes as symbols (or not-symbols).
- Supports audio files that can be streamed during animation.
- Supports Flash 8 filters and blend modes.
- Configurable point handles color for comfortable work on every color of shape.
- Most tools are in floating windows that you can hide or show in every moment via menus or key combinations. KoolMoves also works good with multiple monitors.
- Publishes smaller SWF files than Adobe ones because of a bit different curve point editing function.
- Outputs in SWF as well as other formats such as PNG and JPEG.
- Many built-in categorized cliparts, buttons and web interfaces to use.
- Has 6 different deform tools.
- Several different built-in 3d ActionScript based effects.
- Built-in fully customizable preloaders, with possibility of making your own (no ActionScript knowledge needed).
- KoolMoves supports vector canvases up to 5000x5000px.
- KoolMoves is known for having an active and helpful support forum.
- 4 user interface styles:
- Wizard - for making sideshows, image effects, text effects and banners.
- Basic - for beginner users, that don't need point editing or morphing tools.
- Advanced - full interface, with scenes and movie clips, flash components etc.
- Cartooning - similar to advanced, but shapes are drawn a bit different way so its more comfortable for making cartoons.
