Using Flash to create Flash

Rombla is a full-featured flash-site creation tool. It gives you every tool you'd need to build a simple site in flash, and gives your clients complete control to make their own updates to those simple things like phone numbers and addresses they hate paying you to fix.

It's a great, innovative tool however, I wouldn't go as far as to say that this app will remove you from the Flash IDE.  I can see it being used to rapidly create Flash mock-ups.  Check it out for yourself!

via InsideRIA

Earlier last month, Aviary officially opened its doors with its suite of powerful creative applications built using Adobe Flex.  With all the hype and anticipation, Aviary is officially out of beta.

Aviary introduces Raven

With that said, the lifting of beta tag Aviary ironed out the differences between their pro and free subscription plans.  They also add 5 new apps including Raven, a full feature vector editor. And let me tell you, WOW!  These apps have truly defined what the Flash Platform is capable of accomplishing.

Check out this video of Raven in action:

This book makes advanced Flex 3 concepts and techniques easy. Ajax, RIA, Web 2.0, mashups, mobile, the most sophisticated Web tools and the coolest interactive Web applications are all covered with practical, visually-oriented recipes.

In this book, you'll learn how to:

• Integrate Flex 3 with PHP, Java, JavaScript, and Ruby on Rails.
• Tune the performance of your Flex applications.
• Create mashups and collaborative applications using Flex 3.

What is Grooveshark?

Grooveshark is an online service that puts a whole new meaning to peer-to-peer networks when dealing with music.  Grooveshark allows you to upload and stream your music library right in your browser.  If you're not fond of your personal library, you can simply create playlists from the existing library of music Grooveshark provides.

What is Grooveshark Lite?

Recently, Grooveshark has put a lot of time developing a sweet Flex Application called Grooveshark Lite. Grooveshark Lite allows you to tap into all the music Grooveshark has to offer.  With popular features like a playlist builder, auto-recommendation, and sleek interface, this fancy Flex application has a lot going for it.  Overall, Grooveshark Lite is how Grooveshark separates itself from other similiar services like Last.fm, iLike,  Seeqpod, Pandora, Simplify Media, and MediaMaster.

Overview of Grooveshark Lite's Features

Additional Resources:

• Join Grooveshark
• Demo Grooveshark Lite
• Learn more about Grooveshark

What is the ActionScript 3 RIA API Guide?

This ActionScript reference for rich Internet application development provides an alphabetical reference for all native ActionScript APIs for the Adobe Flash platform runtimes: Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR-as well as the Adobe Flex framework APIs.  The RIA guide has been recently updated to include the API changes effected by Adobe AIR 1.5, Flex 3.2 and Flash Player 10.

Additional Resources:

• Download the guide
• ActionScript 3 Language Reference
• Adobe AIR documentation

Ryan Stewart talks to Matt Chotin about the new Thermo design and upcoming additions to the Flex SDK. Then he shows you FXG, a new graphics interchange format supported in Flex 4, code-named "Gumbo".

If after watching this video gets you all revved up for Flex 4, then, head over and download the latest build of the Flex SDK.

Image of Analytics Flash Visual Component in Flash CS3 via Google

If you've ever wanted to track your Flash content over the web, then you'd know what a challenge this task entails.  In the past, Flash tracking was not provided out of the box, and every implementation had to be customized.

It is now safe to say that tracking your Flash content, has gotten much easier and more accurate.  With the assistance of Adobe and other third party developers, the Google Analytics team has developed and released Google Analytics Tracking For Adobe Flash.

What is Google Analytics Tracking For Adobe Flash?

This new Flash tracking code offers all the rich features of the current JavaScript-based version as it translates the current Google Analytics tracking code into the ActionScript 3 programming language that dramatically simplifies the ability to track your Flash, Flex and AS3 content.

Fun Times!!

Google Analytics for Flash Demo

Additional Resources:

• Download both Flash and Flex tracking libraries
• Visit the project page
• Read the implementation overview

SpatialKey 

Noteflight

Aviary Phoenix

What is Aviary?

Aviary is a suite of powerful creative applications built using Adobe Flex that you can use right in your web browser.  Aviary has sought out a mission to be bring the tools to the artist so they can then turn their vision into reality.  So far that mission is on track.

Is it free?

Beginning November 5, 2008, Aviary will be available in three subscription plans: Free, Green, and Blue.  All three plans provide a more customized solution to fit your creativity.  However, to be honest the free plan is looking pretty good right as it offers a lot of inviting features for those simply looking to caught up with this new, innovative tool.

What applications are currently available?

In total, Aviary plans to offer 15 unique and innovative online applications as part of their suite.  At the moment, there are 4 applications, Peacock,  Phoenix, Raven and Toucan, currently available for full alpha/beta use.   Aviary plans to release more info as it comes on the status of the other 11 applications.   If you are interested on being one of the few indivduals to gain early access to these applications in progress, I'd suggest looking into their "blue" plan.

Overal, Aviary's launching of its suite has simply opened up a new genre of web applications that will soon begin to really challenge desktop applications everywhere.

Available Resources:

• Signup with Aviary
• Learn more about Avaiary
• Check out creations of using Aviary

Custom Graphs Using Degrafa:

Nike + site Graph Example by Joe Johnston

DataSet Example by Tom Gonzalez

Google Finance Example by Tom Gonzalez

Interactivity Example by Tom Gonzalez

FluxChart created by Ryan Campbell

Additional Resources: 

• Documentaion on Degrafa
• Download Degrafa
• Other Degrafa Samples