Macromedia Flash Player 8 Release Notes
This document is for Macromedia Flash 8 developers and addresses issues which are not discussed in the Macromedia Flash 8 documentation or release notes. This document may be updated periodically as more information becomes available.
MACROMEDIA FLASH PLAYER VERSION
Ensure that you have the latest version of Flash Player installed by clicking here to check the version. The current version of Flash Player 8 is 8.0.34.0.
FEATURES IN MACROMEDIA FLASH PLAYER 8, VERSION 8.0.22.0
This release of Macromedia Flash Player includes:
- New features for creative expression such as new video capabilities, filter effects, and text rendering enhancements
- Application development features such as File Upload/Download, a new browser scripting API for improved JavaScript integration (External API), and improved Input Method Editor integration
- Improved performance for rendering and code execution operations
- An enhanced security model for local Flash content
- Improvements to the installation and update experience
The features in Macromedia Flash Player 8 are covered in detail in Flash Help in the Flash 8 and Flash Professional 8 authoring environments. Features that developers should be aware of include:
Expressive Capabilities
Robust Application Runtime
User Privacy and Security
Performance
Installation Experience
EXPRESSIVE CAPABILITIES:
Bitmap Effects/Filters
This feature provides expressive graphic effects at runtime without significantly increasing the SWF file size. Some of the new filters are Blur, DropShadow, Glow, Bevel, Gradient Glow, Gradient Bevel, Displacement Map, Convolution, and Color Matrix.
Advanced Text Rendering (FlashType)
Advanced Text Rendering leverages a new anti-aliasing technology that renders fonts at very high quality, especially at small point sizes. The new text engine combines exceptional readability while maintaining the aesthetic "look and feel" of the fonts.
Scale 9 (or 9-Slice Scaling)
Scale 9 applies "component" scaling to shapes and movie clips. When grid scaling is applied, the curvature of corners does not change while the center stretches. This allows the developer to utilize high performance, component-style scaling of vector images.
Blend Modes
This feature introduces a MovieClip property that filters colors and alpha display of all elements at lower depths. It is similar to Blending Modes applied to layers in Macromedia Fireworks.
GIF, PNG, and JPEG support
This feature adds support for dynamic loading of GIF, PNG, and progressive JPEG files.
BitmapData API
This feature provides a BitmapData object and other objects at runtime and a low-level API to support pixel manipulation, programmatic rendering of movie clips onto images, and bitmap effect access.
Stroke Enhancements
This feature allows the use of strokes that do not scale when the movie clip is resized and ensures hairline strokes always join correctly. It adds support for new joins (miter, round, bevel) and end caps (butt, square, and round). Fill colors or gradient fills can now be applied to strokes.
Text Layout API
The Text Layout API feature adds low-level text APIs that allow more control over the layout of text in the Flash Player, including support for kerning, full justification, and character spacing.
Video Enhancements
Flash Player 8 integrates a new video codec from On2 that works with the VP6.2 encoding support provided in the toolset. The Player now also supports alpha channel video when using the new codec.
Linear and Radial Gradient Enhancements
Users can now control the focal point of a radial gradient fill, set up to 16 color stops, and set the repeat mode for any fill.
32 Sound Channels
Flash Player 8 now supports 32 simultaneous sound channels, increased from the 8 sound channel limit previously in Flash Player.
Custom Context Menu Enhancements
The CustomContextMenu API can now be applied to objects which are nested movieclips. This will improve the usability of components developed in ActionScript.
