SWF
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Adobe Flash (SWF) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| File name extension | .swf |
| Internet media type | application/x-shockwave-flash |
| Developed by | Macromedia (Adobe Systems) |
| Type of format | Vector graphic animation |
SWF (acronym of "Shockwave Flash",[1] pronounced swif) is a partially open file format[2] for multimedia and especially vector graphics developed by Adobe (formerly Macromedia). Intended to be small enough for publication on the web, SWF files can contain animations or applets of varying degrees of interactivity and function. SWF is also sometimes used for creating animated display graphics and menus for DVD movies, and television commercials.
SWF is currently the dominant format for displaying animated vector graphics on the web, far exceeding the W3C open standard SVG[citation needed], which has met with problems over competing implementations.
On 1 May 2008, Adobe dropped its licensing restrictions on the SWF format specifications, as part of the Open Screen Project. However, Rob Savoye, a member of the Gnash development team, has pointed to some parts of the Flash format which remain closed.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Description
Originally limited to presenting vector based objects and images in a simple sequential manner, the newer versions of the format allow audio, video and many different possible forms of interaction with the end user. Once created, SWF files can be played by the Adobe Flash Player, working either as a browser plugin or as a standalone player. SWF files can also be encapsulated with the player, creating a self-running SWF movie called a "projector".
The file format was first created by FutureWave, a small company later acquired by Macromedia with one primary objective: to create small files for displaying entertaining animations.[4] The idea was to have a format which could be reused by a player running on any system and which would work with slower network connection.
Plugins to play SWF files in web browsers are available from Adobe for most desktop operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac, and Linux on the x86 architecture. A free software implementation of a SWF player is Gnash, which as of 2007 is undergoing intensive development. Another FOSS implementation is swfdec.
Based on an independent study conducted by Millward Brown, over 99% of web users now have an SWF plugin installed, with around 90% having the latest version of the Flash Player.[5] Sony PlayStation Portable consoles can play limited SWF files in its web browser, beginning firmware version 2.71. Both the Nintendo Wii and the Sony PS3 consoles can run SWF files through their Internet browsers.[citation needed]
[edit] Licensing
A full specification of SWF is available. Until May 1, 2008, it was not an open format, as implementing software that plays the format was disallowed by the specification's license[6]. On that date, however, as part of its Open Screen Project, Adobe dropped all such restrictions on the SWF and FLV formats.[7] Implementing software which creates SWF files has always been permitted, on the condition that the resulting files render "error free in the latest publicly available version of Adobe Flash Player."[8] The Wikimedia Foundation decided to partner with Kaltura[9] which offers Flash-based video-editing solutions.
An open source SWF player called Gnash is currently being developed by GNU under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ The Telltale SWF
- ^ Open Screen Project
- ^ Free Flash community reacts to Adobe Open Screen Project
- ^ The History of Flash: The Dawn of Web Animation. Adobe Systems. Retrieved on 2008-01-21.
- ^ Flash Player Penetration: Flash content reaches over 98 percent of Internet viewers. Adobe Systems. Retrieved on 2008-01-21.
- ^ SWF and FLV File Format Specification License Agreement. Adobe Systems (2007-06-27). Retrieved on 2008-01-05. “You may not use the Specification in any way to create or develop a runtime, client, player, executable or other program that reads or renders SWF files.”
- ^ Open Screen Project Press Release. Adobe Systems (2008-05-01). Retrieved on 2008-05-01.
- ^ Adobe Player Licensing: Flash Player Developer SDKs. Adobe Systems. Retrieved on 2008-01-21.
- ^ Wikipedia Invites Users to Take Part in Open, Collaborative Video Experiment. Wikimedia Foundation (2008-01-17). Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
[edit] External links
|
|||||||||||
