Comparison - Overview of flash text effect software / creators
Many designers regularly need or like to implement effects on texts in flash movies, presentations etc. If you do a google search you can find several programs for creating flash text effects. But not always do users find the most appropriate one for their needs. Below you can find an comparing overview of most commonly used flash text effect solutions and what features they offer.


Comparison - Overview of flash text effect software / creators
 
Program
 PJ components Supreme 4
components		 Astro
components		 Elite
components		 Pixel Font
components

Astro Flash Creator

Flax SwishMax WildFX Textosterone MixFX
AnimFX
 SWFtext

Use in Flash MX/2004?
Import (swf) to Flash MX/2004 not necessary not necessary not necessary not necessary not necessary few fla export
LoadMovie not necessary not necessary not necessary not necessary not necessary
Customizable effect parameters some some few
Editable effect source code
Multiple fonts (type/color) per text effect
Dynamic text for effects
(php/xml/txt/asp etc)
Contains tweened effects (keyframes) few few few few few some
Contains scripted effects
Extra vector/shapes
(non-tweened effects)		 some
Total effects/variations 550+ 250+ 400+ 75+ 90+ 450+ (1250+ with PJ/S4 plugin) 122 230 417 181 19/62 155
Available for Windows
Available for Macintosh
Option to add Back-foreground effects and image, sound user choice / creatable user choice / creatable user choice / creatable user choice / creatable user choice / creatable /
Price $59 $59 $69 $49 $24 $49.95 $39.95 $99.95 $99 $39.95 $27 $ 29.95





Some extra explanation

  • Use in Flash MX/2004?
    Can you use the software/application directly in Macromedia Flash MX / MX 2004 (/Professional) itself or is it a stand-alone application and will you need to implement the text effect afterwards into a .fla file. If the application is stand-alone, then if (áfter implementing a result in a .fla file) you update or change effect settings, you might need to perform additional steps to update the result in the .fla file you are using the effect in (in case of "Import", not when using "LoadMovie")?
  • Import (swf) to Flash MX/2004
    If the software/application is a stand-alone application, can you implement a text effect results into MacroMedia Flash MX / Pro .fla file through Flash's Import ("File"-"Import") function or not?
  • LoadMovie
    If the software/application is a stand-alone application, can you implement a text effect results into MacroMedia Flash MX / Pro by using the LoadMovie actionscript in a .fla (not including the text effect directly in the .fla but loading the external .swf text effect file during playback into a Layer or Level of the .swf created from the .fla)?
  • Customizable effect parameters
    Can effect-specific parameters be customized, for instance movement lengths, scaling sizes, positioning, alpha transparency changes?
  • Editable effect source code
    Can effect source codes be edited if needed, this so you can edit effects to your needs for instance with extra shapes, animations etc...?
  • Multiple fonts (type/color) per text effect
    Can you use multiple font type faces and colors in a single text-line with one single text-effect?
  • Dynamic text for effects (php/xml/txt/asp etc)
    Can you load the text for the text-effects from a dynamic source like databases, php, xml, txt, asp defined variables? This so you can change hundreds of .swf text effects on your server with a single change.
  • Contains tweened effects (keyframes)
    Do the text effects contain keyframe-based motion-tween effects? In some cases you can adjust in Flash MX on timeline keyframes which can facilitate implementing in .fla files
  • Contains scripted effects
    Do the text effects contain scripted effects? In these cases results are created through mathematical calculations, in many cases this gives a more natural ("organic") result and offers a wide range of effect types.
  • Extra vector/shapes (non-tweened effects)
    Do the text effects use extra vector shapes or animations to create a final result or are the text effects mainly made of scaling/moving of the letters themselves?
  • Option to add Back-foreground effects and image, sound
    Does the software offer the option to add additional background effects, foreground effects, background image and sound/music loops, either included or option to create yourself?

Notices

- Swish powerFX and Swish2 are not included since these are going off the market

Feedback

If you encounter any errors or found some info / detail of any of the softwares has changed, if you like to suggest something or if you simply like to send your thoughts, use the contact form below to send in your feedback.

 
your name
your e-mail
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* WARNING Due to a number of complaints wildfx is NOT RECKOMENDED anymore. These include fact that wildfx will NOT install unless connected to the internet ( people with older version wll LOOSE and already HAVE LOST their software eventually ), complaints about customer support, and more.