1
It used to be that if you wanted to create an animated, interactive interface for a website, you needed to use Flash. You might be able to get away with some basic animations using JavaScript, but if you made it too complicated, all you’d end up doing is bogging your visitor’s computer down and causing problems.
Plus, JavaScript was potentially more complicated to use than Flash, at least for those who aren’t fond of coding. But, of course, Flash doesn’t always work well (or sometimes not at all) on mobile devices, including the iPhone and iPad.
Enter HTML5. HTML5 works on just about every mobile platform out there. Anything you could create in Flash can be created with HTML5 (and sometimes added JavaScript and CSS3): animations, interactive elements, and more.
But it reintroduces the coding issue for a lot of designers, who might not be crazy about hand-coding everything. That’s where Adobe Edge comes in.
It’s an entirely new program (currently available as a free preview version) that helps you create animated web content using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. It includes drawing and text tools for creating new compositions, lets you import images in a variety of formats (SVG, PNG, JPG and GIF), and choreograph animation with a timeline-based editor. You can animate position, color, shape, size, rotation and other elements at the property level.
The great thing about using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript rather than Flash for your animated and interactive content is that your site remains standards-compliant. It preserves your CSS layout and keeps your content layer separate from your presentation layer. Because of this, your site will be compatible across a wider range of platforms and will be more search engine friendly with less work.
Because Edge is currently only in preview-stage, it’s bound to have some bugs and feature limitations. With that said, it already includes twenty five built-in easing effects, and other features to get you started. No word on how much Edge will cost after the 150 day trial period ends.
The Edge interface looks similar to many of Adobe’s other programs for working with interactive content, like Premiere Pro or Flash. If you’re already familiar with these programs, the Edge interface should be pretty easy to adjust to. If not, there’s going to be a definite learning curve, but it’s still a relatively easy interface to figure out.
Of course, you’ll still need Flash for creating desktop and mobile AIR applications, or for using ActionScript.
You might also find Flash easier to use for more immersive interactions and animations where mobile-compatibility isn’t an issue. But Edge gives designers familiar with the Adobe work environment a new option for creating interactive and animated content.
Learn more: Adobe Edge
Have you had a chance to try out Edge yet? What do you think? Is it going to be worth purchasing in the future? Let us know in the comments!
A Closer Look at WordPress 6.7: “Rollins”
The WordPress 6.7 release, named “Rollins” honors jazz legend Sonny Rollins, renowned for his improvisational mastery and innovative contributions to jazz. His iconic compositions, like “St. Thomas” and “Oleo,” reflect…
Why Responsive Design is Failing Modern Users
Yet, despite its widespread adoption, modern users are increasingly frustrated. Why? Because the once-revolutionary approach is failing to keep up with the evolving demands of today’s digital landscape. In this…
The Importance of Title Tags: Tips and Tricks to Optimize for SEO
When it comes to on-page SEO, there’s one element that plays a pivotal role in both search engine rankings and user engagement: the HTML title tag. Often overlooked, this small…
How to Reduce The Carbon Footprint of Your Website
On average, a web page produces 4.61 grams of CO2 for every page view; for whole sites, that amounts to hundreds of KG of CO2 annually. Reducing your website’s carbon footprint is…
How to Plan Your First Successful Website
Planning a new website can be exciting and — if you’re anything like me — a little daunting. Whether you’re an experienced freelancer, a team of hardened developers, or a…
Rock Solid WordPress Security: Keeping Your Business Safe
WordPress is the web’s favourite CMS (content management system), renowned for its low-entry level and vast array of themes and plugins. WordPress’s open-source nature allows for endless flexibility, catering to…