Editing Adobe Flash (section)

===Macromedia===
In December 1996,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adobe.com/macromedia/events/john_gay/page04.html |title=Macromedia - Showcase: History of Flash |publisher=[[Adobe Inc.|Adobe]] |access-date=2024-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060717071243/http://www.adobe.com/macromedia/events/john_gay/page04.html |archive-date=Jul 17, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> FutureSplash was acquired by Macromedia, and Macromedia re-branded and released ''FutureSplash Animator'' as ''Macromedia Flash 1.0''. Flash was a two-part system, a graphics and animation editor known as Macromedia Flash, and a player known as Macromedia Flash Player.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Coale |first1=Kristi |title=Macromedia Rides the FutureWave |url=https://www.wired.com/1997/01/macromedia-rides-the-futurewave/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=29 March 2022 |archive-date=December 31, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231084809/http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/1997/01/1317 |url-status=live }}</ref>

''FutureSplash Animator'' was an animation tool originally developed for pen-based computing devices. Due to the small size of the ''FutureSplash Viewer'', it was particularly suited for download on the Web. Macromedia distributed Flash Player as a free browser [[Plug-in (computing)|plugin]] in order to quickly gain market share. By 2005, more computers worldwide had Flash Player installed than any other Web media format, including [[Java (software platform)|Java]], [[QuickTime]], [[RealNetworks]], and [[Windows Media Player]].<ref name="flash2005">{{cite news|url=http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/0,1000000097,39211831,00.htm |title=Flash Player in 2005 |work=[[ZDNet]] |access-date=2008-12-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516090612/http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/0%2C1000000097%2C39211831%2C00.htm |archive-date=May 16, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Macromedia upgraded the Flash system between 1996 and 1999 adding MovieClips, Actions (the precursor to ActionScript), Alpha transparency, and other features. As Flash matured, Macromedia's focus shifted from marketing it as a graphics and media tool to promoting it as a [[Web application]] platform, adding scripting and data access capabilities to the player while attempting to retain its small footprint.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

In 2000, the first major version of ActionScript was developed, and released with ''Flash 5''. Actionscript 2.0 was released with ''Flash MX 2004'' and supported [[object-oriented programming]], improved UI components and other programming features. The last version of Flash released by Macromedia was ''Flash 8'', which focused on graphical upgrades such as filters (blur, drop shadow, etc.), blend modes (similar to [[Adobe Photoshop]]), and advanced features for [[Flash Video|FLV video]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Release
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Icon
! scope="col" | Description
|-
!scope="row" | FutureSplash 
Animator
| 1996
| rowspan=2 | [[File:Future_Splash_Animator_icon.png|64x64px]]
| Initial version of Flash released in May 1996 with basic editing tools and a timeline.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About FutureSplash Animator|url=http://www.futurewave.com/aboutanimator.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961105022426/http://www.futurewave.com/aboutanimator.htm|archive-date=5 November 1996|access-date=25 March 2021|website=FutureWave software}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=FutureSplash Animator|url=https://www.webdesignmuseum.org/old-software/macromedia-flash/futuresplash-animator|access-date=2021-03-26|website=www.webdesignmuseum.org|language=en|archive-date=August 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827091247/https://www.webdesignmuseum.org/old-software/macromedia-flash/futuresplash-animator|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" | Macromedia
Flash 1
| 1996
| A re-branded version of the FutureSplash Animator, released on December 18, 1996, under the name Macromedia Flash 1.0. The name "Flash" was created by blending the words Future and Splash.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Macromedia Announces Flash -- The Easiest Way to Create Small and Fast Shockwave Multimedia|url=http://www.macromedia.com/macromedia/proom/pr/1997/flashacq.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990209012951/http://www.macromedia.com/macromedia/proom/pr/1997/flashacq.html|archive-date=9 February 1999|access-date=25 March 2021|website=Macromedia}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
|-
!scope="row" | Macromedia
Flash 2
| 1997
| rowspan=4 | [[File:Macromedia Flash 2-5 icon.png|64x64px]]

|Released with Flash Player 2 on May 18, 1997,<ref name="macromedia-brings-flash">[https://web.archive.org/web/19980613005908/http://www.macromedia.com/macromedia/proom/pr/1997/flash2rel.html Macromedia Brings Flash to the Web], Macromedia. 1997-05-08. Archived 1998-06-13. Retrieved January 18, 2025.</ref> new features include synchronized [[WAV]] and [[Audio Interchange File Format|AIFF]] sound support, enhanced bitmap editing, Macromedia [[Macromedia FreeHand|FreeHand]] integration, [[TrueType]] and [[PostScript]] fonts support, color transformations, auto-trace and the object [[Library (computer science)|library]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=1997-04-12|title=Flash 2 New Features|url=http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970412150516/http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/|archive-date=1997-04-12|access-date=2021-03-26|website=Macromedia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1999-02-04|title=Macromedia Press Room - Press Releases|url=http://www.macromedia.com/macromedia/proom/pr/1997/flash2preview.html|access-date=2021-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990204052456/http://www.macromedia.com/macromedia/proom/pr/1997/flash2preview.html|archive-date=1999-02-04}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" | Macromedia
Flash 3
|1998
|Released with Flash Player 3 on May 12, 1998,<ref name="macromedia-ships-flash3">[https://web.archive.org/web/19991009150755/http://www.macromedia.com/macromedia/proom/pr/1998/flash3ships.html Macromedia Ships Flash 3], Macromedia. 1998-05-12. Archived 1999-10-09. Retrieved January 18, 2025.</ref> new features include shape tweening, the movie clip element, [[JavaScript]] plug-in integration, [[PNG format|PNG]] support, sprite animation, vector & bitmap transparency, bandwidth profiling and an external stand-alone player.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Flash 3 features|url=http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/productinfo/features/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980612225158/http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/productinfo/features/|archive-date=12 June 1998|access-date=25 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" | Macromedia
Flash 4
|1999
|Released with Flash Player 4 on June 15, 1999,<ref name="macromedia-ships-flash4">[https://web.archive.org/web/19991018222540/http://www.macromedia.com/macromedia/proom/pr/1999/flash4_ships.html Macromedia ships Flash 4], Macromedia. 1999-06-15. Archived 1999-10-18. Retrieved January 19, 2025.</ref> new features include a redesigned user interface, internal [[Variable (programming)|variables]], an input field, improved timeline (smart guides, outline color mode), advanced ActionScript, publish settings panel and [[MP3]] audio [[Streaming media|streaming]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Flash 4 features|url=http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/productinfo/features/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991001153028/http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/productinfo/features/|archive-date=1 October 1999|access-date=25 March 2021|website=Macromedia}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" | Macromedia
Flash 5
|2000
|Released with Flash Player 5 on August 24, 2000,<ref name="macromedia-flash5-ships">[https://web.archive.org/web/20001007193555/http://www.macromedia.com/macromedia/proom/pr/2000/index_flash5ship.fhtml Macromedia Flash 5 ships], Macromedia. 2000-08-24. Archived 2000-10-07. Retrieved January 19, 2025.</ref> new features include pen and sub-selection tools, [[ActionScript|ActionScript 1.0]] (based on [[ECMAScript]], making it very similar to JavaScript in syntax), [[XML]] support, Smartclips (the precursor to components in Flash), [[HTML]] text formatting added for dynamic text.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Macromedia Flash 5: New Features|url=http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/productinfo/newfeatures/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010223184528/http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/productinfo/newfeatures/|archive-date=23 February 2001|access-date=25 March 2021|website=Macromedia}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" | Macromedia
Flash MX (6)
|2002
| rowspan=2 | 
[[File:Macromedia_Flash_6_icon.png|64x64px]]
|Released with Flash Player 6 on March 15, 2002,<ref name="macromedia-ships-flashmx">[https://web.archive.org/web/20020321092033/http://www.macromedia.com/macromedia/proom/pr/2002/flash_mx_ships.html Macromedia ships Macromedia Flash MX], Macromedia. 2002-03-15. Archived 2002-05-21. Retrieved January 19, 2025.</ref> new features include a context-sensitive properties panel, timeline folders, improved color mixer, a video [[codec]] (Sorenson Spark), [[Unicode]], v1 [[Widget engine|UI Components]], [[Data compression|compression]], [[ActionScript]] vector drawing API.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Macromedia Flash MX: Top 10 New Features|url=http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/productinfo/newfeatures/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021201125251/http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/productinfo/newfeatures/|archive-date=1 December 2002|access-date=25 March 2021|website=Macromedia}}</ref>
|-id="Flash MX 2004"
!scope="row" | Macromedia
Flash MX 2004 (7)
|2003
|Released with Flash Player 7 on September 10, 2003{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}, new features include screens (forms for non-linear state-based development and slides for organizing content in a linear slide format like [[Microsoft PowerPoint|PowerPoint]]), small font size rendering, timeline effects, updated templates, high-fidelity import and video import wizard.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Macromedia Flash MX 2004|url=https://www.webdesignmuseum.org/old-software/macromedia-flash/macromedia-flash-mx-2004|access-date=2021-03-26|website=www.webdesignmuseum.org|language=en|archive-date=August 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827004416/https://www.webdesignmuseum.org/old-software/macromedia-flash/macromedia-flash-mx-2004|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[ActionScript]] 2.0 was released with this version, enabling [[object-oriented programming]] but lacking the easier "Script assist" method of writing code. JavaScript for Flash (JSFL) allowed users to write scripts to automate tasks within the Flash editor. New programming features included: [[web service]]s integration, MP3/FLV media playback components, [[XML]] data service components, data binding APIs, the Project Panel, V2 UI components, and Transition libraries.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Take a tour of the Flash MX 2004 and Flash MX Professional 2004 features|url=http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/productinfo/features/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040803012857/http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/productinfo/features/|archive-date=3 August 2004|access-date=25 March 2021|website=Macromedia}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" | Macromedia
Flash 8
|2005
|[[File:Macromedia_Flash_8_icon.png|64x64px]]
|Released with Flash Player 8 on September 13, 2005{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}, new features include graphical filters (blur, [[drop shadow]], glow, etc.) and [[blend mode]]s, easing control for animation, enhanced stroke properties (caps and joins), object-based drawing mode, run-time bitmap caching, [[Saffron Type System|FlashType advanced anti-aliasing]] for text, [[On2 Technologies|On2]] VP6 advanced video codec, support for alpha transparency in video, a stand-alone encoder and advanced video importer, cue point support in FLV files, an advanced video playback component, and an interactive mobile device emulator.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Flash 8 features|url=http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/flashpro/productinfo/features/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051214113931/http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/flashpro/productinfo/features/|archive-date=14 December 2005|access-date=25 March 2021|website=Macromedia}}</ref>

Macromedia Flash Basic 8, a "lite" version of the Flash authoring tool targeted to new users who only wanted to do a basic drawing, animation, and interactivity. The Basic product was eventually stopped and replaced by a discounted educational version of Flash CS3 Professional.<ref name="adobe-flashcs3pro-education">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070407194224/http://www.adobe.com/education/products/flash/ Adobe Flash CS3 Professional for education], Adobe Systems. Archived 2007-04-07. Retrieved January 20, 2025.</ref>

Macromedia Flash 8 was one of the most used and popular versions of Flash.
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