Adobe lists updates to Flash, Edge Animate, Edge Reflow, Dreamweaver
updated 02:29 pm EDT, Mon May 6, 2013
Flash rebuilt with 64-bit architecture, Dreamweaver gains CSS Designer tool
Adobe has outlined a large number of changes for its web-development products, as part of its major announcements today. Flash Professional CC has been rebuilt to be more modular and streamlined, Edge Animate CC and Edge Reflow Preview 3 add some workflow improvements, and Dreamweaver CC introduces a visual editing tool for CSS, PhoneGap build support, and other extra tools.
The more-modular 64-bit Flash is said to be able to manage multiple large files efficiently, allowing for a more responsive timeline and an unlimited pasteboard size. Full previews of images being drawn can be viewed instantly, while a simplified and more intuitive interface is hoped to allow users to focus more on their content rather than the tool. Content can be exported in full HD video and audio, including script-driven animations generated by the new code editor built from the open source Scintilla library, which also includes code profiling and performance analysis from Adobe Scout.
The enhanced support for HTML5 in Flash now uses the updated Toolkit for CreateJS, including new options for buttons, motion curves, and hit areas, while the number of steps for testing and debugging mobile content has been reduced in real-time mobile testing, by connecting multiple iOS and Android devices by USB.
HTML animation tool Edge Animate adds fine-grain motion paths that work with resizable layouts, as well as templates for saving reusable assets, and the option to add swiping left or right to elements for mobile-based projects. Animate runtime files can be stored on the Adobe content delivery network, powered by Akamai, at no extra cost. Edge Reflow now includes Typekit integration for improved typography, along with a new Assets panel for item storage.
Dreamweaver adds a new CSS Designer tool for quicker and easier CSS generation, as well as adding the ability to use the growing Typekit-powered Adobe Edge Web Fonts Library. Full visual support for jQuery UI widgets, a simplified user interface, PhoneGap build support, and an upgraded Fluid Grid Layout for designing projects that will be viewed on multiple screen sizes are also included, as well as the option to synchronize files, preferences, and projects between computers using the Creative Cloud.
