D1: Assignment 1 - Section C; Animation Package Comparison

I am going to analyse and compare the various aspect of both of these software packages, I will go over what they are, where they are used, what features they include, how easy they are to learn and how much the software packages cost.

What

Adobe Flash CS6

This is a software package that is used to create various types of animation, it can be used in many ways to create suitable animations for certain criteria.

Scratch

This is simple software package mainly used by young people to introduce them to animation and the building blocks of coding.

Comparison

These are different types of software packages, they both have similar foundations, but they are reversed normally, they both include animation and coding elements. With Scratch you mainly use the building blocks of coding (“move ‘1’ step”) to animate, whiles in Flash it’s more interactive, and the coding aspect is not as simple as drag and drop.

Where

Adobe Flash CS6

This is used by professionals to create various types of animations, it can be used to create dynamic graphics for the web using ActionScript. Due to this it is used in various areas and for various applications.

Scratch

This is normally used in schools by young children, which I have explained before is due to it being used to teach kids about Animation and the building blocks of coding.

Comparison

Adobe Flash is used in many areas and is usually not used where Scratch is, but this is normally only one area where simple teaching is used.

Features & Functions (Tools)

Adobe Flash CS6

This has many features which I will talk about a few below.

Animation Tool / Features	Explanation
Frames	These are used to extend a previous keyframes time on the timeline. Without layers it would be extremely hard to animate, since you would have to use key frames, which require manual animating (since you cannot use tweens).
Key Frames	This is used to hold an object, this is different from a frame since a frame just extends key frame. Without key frames it would be impossible for animation in Flash, since any object needs to be stored on a key frame.
Layers	These are used for organisation, they usually contain one object, also when one layer is above another, if the is something overlapping, only the overlapping part on the top layer will be shown (unless it’s transparent). You can also use them for masking, which works in reverse to Photoshop, being whatever the mask holds, is shown (and not blocked out like in Photoshop). Layers can also be stored in groups, which are folders that are used for further organisational purposes. Layers also have 3 other options which are very useful, the first one will stop it being visible on the scene whist animating. The second locking the frame, stopping you from accidently selecting it, and making changes. Thirdly shows the wireframe of the graphic (an outline).
Buttons	A button is a type of symbol, but with this symbol ActionScript can be added on it. This can allow the user to pause/start the animation, or control another symbol in the animation. These can be used for a variety of means, meaning that it is a very good tool, but I have not yet to find a practical means to use it as of yet.
Tweening	This is a very useful feature in Flash, it is used to calculate the difference between two keyframes, there are three types of tweens: Shape This only works on shapes (not types of graphics), and requires them to be transformed for you to be able to apply a shape tween, this will warp the shape from the first keyframe to the last. Motion If you are moving any object the best way to do this is with a motion tween, it will automatically calculate how it has to move from point A to B. Classic This works similar to the Motion tween, where it is normally used to move objects, but with a classic tween you would have to create key frames manually then apply a Classic tween when with a Motion tween they are created if you move the shape between point A and B. Also if you apply a classic tween to a graphic you have more options, such as Alpha (transparency), and you can also transform a graphic in a Classic tween (1% to 150% then 100%). This is the feature/tool I like the most (which is not manditory, like using frames and key frames). This is due to the fact it is very customisable and editable, unlike using key frames which takes longer to create, and takes longer o modify if it needs changes.
Symbols	If you create an object (or text), you can make it a symbol, there are three types of symbols; movie, button and graphic. With any type of symbol you create it is automatically added to the library so it can be used at a further date, this will also prevent you from making any adjustments to the symbol on the scene (but you are able to transform it, and move its positing). If you want to make any adjustments you will need to enter the symbol from the stage (entering it), in there you will have its own timeline which will correspond to the scenes timeline (unless it’s a movie symbol). With a movie symbol any animations made will not be viewable unless rendered, his can be annoying and seems like there’s no point, but with a movie there are more effects that can be added, and it works independent from the frames on the scene. A graphic does not need to be rendered to view its changes, it works along the scenes timeline (where the graphics starts with the scenes keyframe, is where the graphics independent keyframe starts). Symbols are extremely useful since it allows more animation techniques to be applied, and applied only to certain parts of the symbol (graphic).
Library	This is where assets are stored for multiple uses in an animation, and where symbols are stored when created. It can also contain other types of media such as audio (rather than just graphics). The library is not essential though, especially if you do not plan on using a object more than once, but it is extremely useful when you do.
Multimedia	This is any type of media, being; image, audio and movies. These are stored in the library to be used later.
Drawing Tools	These are used to create stuff (objects, shapes, text, then symbols) on the scene, you can use pre-set shapes such as the oval or rectangle, but you do also have to option for free hand draw an object (with a path, which is more smooth, or with the pencil). These will be the main tools you would use to create objects to animate (unless you create graphics is other software packages such as Photoshop), making these nearly essential.
Scenes	These are used to set up different stages in a project, it is where your objects are placed to create the animation. These can be very useful to change scenes, but when creating my animation I used another method to change scenes without using scenes (using a white rectangle and changing its opacity). Because of this I do not think it is entirely essential, but I do understand why it can be very useful.
Pre-Loader	These are loaded before the main animation/program is loaded, these are usually far lower in file size, and is prioritized. These are not essential in the slightest, but they are a nice feature to use, and makes it look more professional.

Scratch

This has quite a few simple features to teach children about animation and the fundamentals of coding.

Animation Tool / Features	Explanation
Blocks:	This is basically Pseudocode in blocks, which can be amalgamated to run code.
Sprites:	These are the characters which are animated, there are loads of pre-set ones hat the user can import into the scene, as well as being able to create their own and importing them into the scene as well.
Costumes:	These are what the sprite wears, it is an extra graphic above the sprite which is primarily used for further customisation of the sprite.
Sound:	Sound is a type of block, it can be activated via a variety of means, being anything you can do with blocks.

Comparison

Clearly Adobe Flash has many more features and functions than Scratch, but this is to be expected from where they are used, Flash being used by professionals, meaning it needs many tools to create complex animations.

Easy to learn

Adobe Flash CS6

Since this is used by professionals, there is a high learning curve, since the features it supplies can be very complex for some users, and can take a while to grasp the basic functions for Beginners. Although I should point out that within a week I learned, by myself, how to create a suitable and professional animation.

Scratch

Since this is meant to be very easy to learn, since it is used to introduce children to animation, there is a very small learning curve.

Comparison

These are very different software packages, but usually Scratch can be used to introduce children to Animation, then in due time they might learn how to use Adobe Flash.

Cost

Adobe Flash CS6

This will cost you single handily approximately £500, or you can get an Adobe CC subscription (which includes more than just Adobe Flash) for £26.68 per mo (incl. VAT).

Scratch

This is free for anyone to use, even in an educational establishment it is free (unlike some other pieces of “free” software, like Blender).

Comparison

The entire Adobe suite is expensive, so it is not very surprising that Flash costs approximately £500 by itself, although this is quite expensive. Scratch needs to be free due to allow children to easily learn, if it were not free then it is not very likely to be used, since money would usually only be spent on packages that could see future outcome.