Flash Catalyst and Flash Builder 4 betas available

[-Ev-]

http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/flashbuilder4/
http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/flashcatalyst/

Go get 'em!

[kkbbcute]

Personally, for "Flashers", I feel that Flash and Flex gives a lot more control over what you are doing than catalyst and comes as a more complete package. In fact, I personally didn't really get the hype, could someone fill me in on the specifics that warrants it as a unique seperate product?

[cjx3711]

Its probably just for people who are too lazy to learn actual coding. But from what I saw, catalyst also can code.

So one question, will we be getting a separate forum for these programs?

[-Ev-]

Flash Catalyst is not meant to replace Flash for anyone worth their salt in programming AS3. However, for rapid prototyping and mockups it looks fantastic.

[kkbbcute]

Flash Catalyst is not meant to replace Flash for anyone worth their salt in programming AS3. However, for rapid prototyping and mockups it looks fantastic.

Which was my main beef, because from what I've seen so far, it just really makes adding rollOvers easier (and simple things like that), which frankly would just take 5 secs more if I were to code it in, and still retain all the flexibility that Flash provides when the need arises.

[UncleNinja]

AAaah! Thank you!! :p

[UncleNinja]

Which was my main beef, because from what I've seen so far, it just really makes adding rollOvers easier (and simple things like that), which frankly would just take 5 secs more if I were to code it in, and still retain all the flexibility that Flash provides when the need arises.
No, it does more. Go here (http://tv.adobe.com/#vi+f1532v1001), you will see. :)

[kkbbcute]

Still, the beta has file size limit to the import, meaning that I can barely import anything in. Awww...

[wvxvw]

As I see it, the most important feature of Thermo (Catalist) is the ability to compile SWF graphics from XML-like source (if you remember SWFMill - something like that, but for AS3). When having a program for the only purpose of making prototypes sounds to me as a huge waste... Think of the huge Flex Framework + even less optimized skins made in Catalist - 300K of the framework stuff and 10% of it utilized in your particular application? I'd call that quantity over quality approach... :(

[kkbbcute]

Agreed, anyway, I'm still under the suspicion that Adobe is just trying to pump out another product who's features they could very well include in the next version of Flash. As in, come on, a whole program just to prototype?

[cjx3711]

Nah, I think it's there to cater to those who do not want to buy the full version of flash and learn how to code just to show some design. It does let adobe earn more money.

[kkbbcute]

Yup, I think it's there more for the designers, so they can outsource their design to the actual coders to add functionality, but they want to make sure that they get the basics down first.

[Flash Gordon]

Has anyone played around with Flash Builder 4 yet? It's super annoying with all the pops up that try to code hint constantly when typing mxml. It pops up over everything, gives full description of every property, and super slows down Eclipse for coding. It's a horrible feature. FB3 was nice so that you could ask for it when you wanted it. Yucky...I'm not like FB4 very well so far....