FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
General questions
- What do I need to use ASTRO Flash Creator?
- Does ASTRO Flash Creator run on Macintosh?
- How many text effects does ASTRO Flash Creator have?
Technical questions
- How can I customize effects?
- AFC doesn't show my text / font, why not?
Which fonts or characters can I use? - How do I load ASTRO Flash Creator files into Frontpage?
- How to embed an ASTRO Flash Creator file into PowerPoint?
- How can I use ASTRO Flash Creator files Flash 5, MX or MX2004
- Can I use several effects sequentially (one after another)?
- Can I use ASTRO Flash Creator to make (non-/transparent) video files?
- I have a bug or problem, what do I do?
Other questions
| Q: | When What do I need to use ASTRO Flash Creator? |
| A: | ASTRO Flash Creator was designed for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP.
ASTRO Flash Creator does not require that Adobe/Macromedia Flash is
installed. Only the "Test in Browser" option expects the Flash plugin
to be installed on your computer. |
| Q: | Will Does ASTRO Flash Creator run on Macintosh? |
| A: | ASTRO Flash Creator itself is a Windows program. The by ASTRO Flash Creator created Flash SWF files do run on the Macintosh. |
| Q: | How many text effects does ASTRO Flash Creator have? |
| A: | In the standard ASTRO Flash Creator program, there are more than 450 or more than 1250 WITH PJ plugin for ASTRO F.C. and SUPREME4 plugin for ASTRO F.C. text effects and more than 80 other Flash effects. However, ASTRO Flash Creator effects can be altered in countless ways. These variations can be bookmarked, and be shared with other ASTRO Flash Creator users. Moreover, there are additional ASTRO Flash Creator plugins available on the Goldshell and Patrick Jansen Design web sites, adding even more great Flash effects to the ASTRO Flash Creator program. |
| Q: | How can I customize effects? |
| A: | On the "Text Effects" tab, enable the "Parameters" checkbox. (This checkbox can only be chosen once you have selected a text effect.) You will then see a small window appear, which contains all variables that the effects is using. You can adjust these variables, thereby altering the effect itself. If you wish to keep this altered effect for future use, click the small "bookmark" button at the top of the variable window, or select "Bookmark User Effect", from the "View" pulldown menu. |
| Q: | Which fonts or characters can I use? |
| A: | You can use any font that is installed on your computer. All
normal characters can be used, apart characters from multibyte fonts
(as found in Chinese or Japanese fonts). If AFC doesn't show your text or your font, like Chinese or Japanese or Russian or other similar multibyte font, then AFC won't be the solution for you. If you happen to have Adobe/Macromedia Flash (MX / MX2004 / 8 / CS3), then you may want to try out the Component versions of the text effects. |
| Q: | How do I load ASTRO Flash Creator files into Frontpage? |
| A: | Go to Insert - Advanced - Plug-In and click on the "browse" button. Select your ASTRO Flash Creator file. Now enter the appropriate size and click on OK. Finally, save and preview your file. |
| Q: | How to embed a ASTRO Flash Creator file into PowerPoint? |
| A: | Go to View - Toolbar - Control Toolbars and click on the icon which looks like a little hammer. Select "Shockwave Flash Object" from the list. Now you must drag a square on the place where you want the ASTRO Flash Creator file to appear. After you have done this, right-click on the box and the properties menu will pop up. To add the ASTRO Flash Creator file you must click on the word "Custom", and select the "Build" icon (the three dots at the end of the line) Now you must enter the Movie URL and check the "Embed Movie" box as well. Finally, save and run your slide show in presentation view. We advice to try out ASTRO Flash Creator movies with the trial version to see if the result works properly in your PowerPoint file/presentation. The ASTRO Flash Creator movie area can in some cases hinder the use of prior/next screen click. |
| Q: | How can I use ASTRO Flash Creator files Flash 5, MX or MX2004 |
| A: | 1) If you want to combine effects see also the following Question. Join the .swf´s with Clipyard and use the LoadMovie action in your .fla to load the joined result created with Clipyard in the result of your .fla movie. 2) If you need to implement separate .swf´s into separate position in the timeline of a .fla , you can use LoadMovie at keyframes and might want to check out the automated (Pre-)Loader for external .SWF´s in your Flash .FLA file |
| Q: | Can I use several effects sequentially (one after another)? |
| A: | You can show different effects sequentially, by doing this programmatically in Flash (see (Pre-)Loader for external .SWF´s). Alternatively, you can export your ASTRO Flash Creator effects to Clipyard, which is a small Flash editor to concatenate and combine several Flash files into one new Flash file. The Clipyard program can be found on the Goldshell web site. |
| Q: | Can I use ASTRO Flash Creator to make (non-/transparent) video files? |
| A: | There are several standalone softwares on the web which can convert .swf flash files to video (AVI, QUICKTIME, MPEG etc) format. There are a few which can add an Alpha Channel to create transparent video which you can implement into your video projects. One which we tested which gives a good result is SWF2Video PRO by Flashants. |
| Q: | I have a bug or problem, what do I do? |
| A: | First, download and install the latest version of ASTRO Flash Creator. If you choose not to install over your current version, and to uninstall and re-install instead, then we reckomend you first Export ALL existing Bookmarks you created to both .txt file AND .abk ASTRO Flash Creator Bookmark file and also delete all contents of c:/program files/astro/ before you reinstall. If that does not help, please send us a bug report or use the contact form and include your operating system and details of when / how the bug happened. |
| Q: | Will I receive updates or upgrades? |
| A: | Once you have bought an key, future ASTRO Flash Creator updates will be free of charge. For major upgrades or Pro versions we will offer an upgrade option for a discount fee. |