Adobe Flex Builder Linux Public Alpha

Get the Flex Builder Linux alpha now

Update: Flex Builder Linux alpha 3 was released on 3/31/2008. Please download alpha 3.

Welcome to the Adobe® Flex™ Builder™ Linux alpha on Adobe Labs. Flex Builder Linux is a plugin-only version of the Flex Builder that you can use to build Flex applications on Linux. We wanted to get an early release out with the base Flex Builder features so you could begin to provide us with your feedback and let us know your priorities for additional feature

Official Support for Linux

This is the first release of Flex Builder to support Desktop Linux. This version is based on several features from Flex Builder 3 (codenamed "Moxie"). It includes project creation, code coloring, code hints, compilation, the Ajax Bridge, Find All References, and debugging. Not all Flex Builder 3 features are supported, so be sure to check out the release notes for a list of unsupported features.

Follow these steps to begin experiencing the Flex Builder Linux alpha:

1. Download the Flex Builder Linux alpha

2. Run the installer either marking it as executable (chmod +x) or by using a shell to execute it (sh flexbuilder_linux_install_a3_033108.bin).

   When prompted, specify whether to install Flash Player 9 (note that this is an updated version of Flash Player 9 and that Flex Builder Linux will work with earlier versions of Flash Player 9 for Linux). This is the debug version of Flash Player 9, which is required for debugging support and exception display.

3. Read the release notes

4. Start Eclipse

   Note: You must create a new workspace before beginning. Select File > Switch Workspace from the menu bar and enter a new folder name. If the folder doesn't exist, Eclipse creates it.

5. Ask questions and share your feedback in the Labs forum for Flex Builder Linux.

   Please note that your submission of comments, ideas, feature requests and techniques on this and other Adobe maintained forums, as well as Adobe's right to use such materials, is governed by the Terms of Use.

Adobe AIR for Linux

Get the Adobe AIR for Linux alpha now

Important: This prerelease of Adobe AIR for Linux is alpha-quality and is not feature complete. If you are looking for Adobe AIR for Macintosh or Windows, please go to Adobe.com.

The Adobe® AIR for Linux alpha is a version of the Adobe AIR runtime that allows Adobe AIR applications to be deployed on computers and devices running the Linux operating system. In addition, Adobe Flex® Builder™ for Linux can be used to build rich internet applications that deploy to the desktop and run across operating systems using proven web technologies.

See the release notes for more information regarding this alpha runtime. Please help us ensure that the final release of Adobe AIR for Linux will be of the highest quality by installing and using this alpha version and sending us your feedback on the forums.

The Adobe AIR for Linux alpha is *not* feature complete. AIR applications that run on the Mac and Windows version may not run on the Linux alpha depending on the features used by that application. Please review the release notes for more information on which features are not available in the alpha.

Follow these steps to begin experiencing the Adobe AIR for Linux alpha:

1. Review the system requirements and release notes for known issues
2. Download and install the Adobe AIR for Linux alpha
3. Download sample applications that run on Adobe AIR for Linux
4. Developers only: Download and install the Adobe AIR for Linux SDK
5. Read the Adobe AIR for Linux Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

6. Ask questions and share your feedback in the Adobe AIR for Linux Labs forum.

   Please note that your submission of comments, ideas, feature requests and techniques on this and other Adobe maintained forums, as well as Adobe's right to use such materials, is governed by the Terms of Use.

JSEclipse (Adobe Technologies)

Get the JSEclipse prerelease now

Discuss JSEclipse in the Labs forums

Update: JSEclipse prerelease 2 released on April 2, 2007. Get it now.

JSEclipse is a new plugin for the Eclipse environment that helps developers code JavaScript faster and with no errors. With JSEclipse, you can complete a variety of tasks, from editing small sections of code to working with the next big AJAX library or developing plug-ins for a product that embeds JavaScript snippets.

Download and install JSEclipse and improve your JavaScript coding experience with:

• Contextual code completion & shortcuts.
• Project outline and quick navigation through function declarations.
• Syntax highlighting.
• Error reporting.
• Customizable code templates to get you started.
• Support for popular JavaScript libraries (Dojo, Prototype, Spry, YUI, Qooxdoo).
• Support for JavaDoc documentation and multi-line comments.
• Adobe Flex Builder 2 compatibility.

For visual examples of how code completion, code templates, and JavaScript libraries (Ajax) features in JSEclipse behave, watch the streaming demonstration videos hosted on Labs.

Follow these steps to get started with the JSEclipse prerelease.

Prerequisites

In order to install and use JSEclipse, you need the following:

• Hardware requirements: same as for Eclipse SDK.
• The Eclipse SDK version 3.1 or higher
• The Java Runtime Environment version 1.4 or higher
• Approximately 2 MB of available disk space.

Installation

1. Download JSEclipse
2. Read the installation notes
3. Watch the demonstration videos for a tour of the features in JSEclipse.
4. Check out the JSEclipse online documentation for a detailed description of the features and installation process.

5. Join the discussion on the JSEclipse forum, where you can ask questions, discuss your experience, and give us your feedback.

   Please note that your submission of comments, ideas, feature requests and techniques on this and other Adobe maintained forums, as well as Adobe's right to use such materials, is governed by the Terms of Use.

Adobe Flash Lite 3 Developer Edition

Download Flash Lite 3 Developer Edition nowa

Welcome to the Adobe® Flash® Lite™ 3 Developer Edition release on Adobe Labs. The Flash Lite 3 Developer Edition is a standalone player for supported mobile phones to allow developers to test their Flash Lite 3 applications before commercial devices start shipping with the full version of Flash Lite 3 pre-installed. This installer only supports standalone content and cannot be used to view SWF files that are embedded in a mobile web browser or to test any type of personalization content such as wallpapers or screensavers.

This version of the Flash Lite 3 Developer Edition is not locked to the serial number of the device, you don't have to provide your IMEI number to download the installer. This installer has a startup screen indicating that it is the Flash Lite 3 Developer Edition. Devices that will ship with Flash Lite 3 pre-installed will not have this start up screen in their standalone players.

The first shipping devices with Flash Lite 3 pre-installed will be Nokia S60 models and will be available in Q1 2008.

Important: This player is meant only for developers and not for consumers. It is not authorized for commercial distribution and cannot be distributed to consumers or bundled with any Flash Lite content.

The Flash Lite 3 Developer Edition has been certified by Adobe for the Nokia N95 (non-US 3G version) only. We encourage you to install, test and provide feedback so the community can help us improve the product. Please send your comments to mobiledeveloper@adobe.com.

Follow these steps to get started with Flash Lite 3 Developer Edition:

1. Download and save Flash Lite 3 Developer Edition to your computer
2. Launch Nokia PC Suite from your desktop.
3. Click the "Install Applications" icon.
4. Locate the downloaded SIS file, click it and follow the on screen instructions. It is recommended that you install the Flash Lite 3 Developer Edition to your phone's memory.
5. Restart your phone.
6. Go to Menu > Applications to find the Flash icon.
7. Launch the Flash Lite 3 Developer Edition.

8. Ask questions and share your feedback in the Labs forum for Flash Lite 3 Developer Edition

   Please note that your submission of comments, ideas, feature requests and techniques on this and other Adobe maintained forums, as well as Adobe's right to use such materials, is governed by the Terms of Use.

RoboHelp Packager for Adobe AIR

Download RoboHelp Packager for Adobe AIR now

The RoboHelp Packager for Adobe® AIR™ allows you to convert your existing WebHelp files generated using Adobe RoboHelp® to an Adobe AIR application. Help and knowledge bases delivered as Adobe AIR application will have a consistent look and feel across all platforms.

RoboHelp Packager for Adobe AIR packages WebHelp files generated using Adobe RoboHelp 6 and Adobe RoboHelp 7 and transforms them into an Adobe AIR file. A single Adobe AIR Application file is generated which is easier to distribute and deploy. The generated Adobe AIR file based help will have a customizable look and feel chosen during the packaging. More information is available regarding the output of this tool.

RoboHelp Packager for Adobe AIR can:

• Generate a single distributable file similar to a .chm file.
• Provide a variety of skins from which a user can choose from. In addition, for any skin a user can choose different themes, which control the look and feel in terms of colors and button/icons images.
• Provide a consistent look and feel on all platforms and operating systems.
• Enable you to comment, in addition to using other advanced features such as Breadcrumbs, Mini TOC and Security (Digital Signatures)

When you install the packager with Adobe RoboHelp 7 already installed on your machine, it gets added as a tool in the Toolbox Pod. The installer also creates a shortcut for launching this tool on your desktop. You must install the Java Runtime Engine version 6 and Adobe AIR Runtime before installing the tool (For more information, refer to the installation steps).

Download RoboHelp Packager for Adobe AIR now

Prerequisites

• Java Runtime Engine version 1.4.2 or Higher
• Adobe AIR version 1 release (for testing your .air files)

Follow these steps to get started with RoboHelp Packager for Adobe AIR:

1. Download the RoboHelp Packager for Adobe AIR
2. Double click the .air file to begin installation and follow the on-screen instructions.

3. After the installation is complete you can launch the RoboHelp Packager for Adobe AIR via any of the following access points:

   • Shortcut on the Desktop (if chosen during installation)
   • Toolbox Pod of Adobe RoboHelp 7
   • Start > All Programs > Adobe RoboHelp 7 > RoboHelp Packager for Adobe AIR
4. Download and Install the sample output files to experience the look and feel of Help delivered via Adobe AIR:
   • Customer Care
   • RoboHelp Packager for Adobe AIR Help
   • 3DbreakAssembly

5. Ask questions and share your feedback in the Labs forum for RoboHelp Packager for Adobe AIR

   Please note that your submission of comments, ideas, feature requests and techniques on this and other Adobe maintained forums, as well as Adobe's right to use such materials, is governed by the Terms of Use.

Developing an image viewer application with Flex and Cairngorm

Developing an image viewer application with Flex and Cairngorm

Sam Williams

In this article I will describe the process for developing a Flex/Cairngorm application for viewing images (see Figure 1). The application itself is small. I originally developed this project as a demonstration showcase for potential employers. My goal was to develop an app small enough to talk through at an interview while also demonstrating my understanding of the Flex framework and Cairngorm.

Figure 1. The image viewer application

The application consists of an image viewer compon ent that toggles its method of display at runtime from displaying the images in a grid to a slideshow presentation. The data for the application is provided in an XML file. In addition to the image source URL data, the XML file also contains a creation date for each of the images. The image viewer application allows the user to sort the images alphabetically or by the date created, resulting in a dynamic re-ordering of the images in either the grid or slideshow mode of display.

Requirements

Flex Builder 3 (contains the free Flex 3 SDK)

You can Find The AdobeFamily Blog

Cairngorm

• Download

Sample files:

• image_viewer.zip (ZIP, 13.7 MB)

Flash video template: Dynamic video playlist

Flash video template: Dynamic video playlist

Lisa Larson-Kelley

If you've published video on the web yourself, without the help of a portal like YouTube, you know how easy it is to import video into Adobe Flash and publish a SWF file that contains the video component and plays your movie file. (If you don't, the Flash Video Learning Guide has a whole section on adding Flash video to your website.) More often than not, however, you want to publish multiple videos on the same web page—without authoring a new SWF for each one. What you want is a player that's flexible and shows any number of videos you point it to.

This article explains how to do just that. It provides a template with instructions for both streaming and progressive delivery of your video to a customizable player. The sample project you create includes a dynamic playlist using XML and Flash CS3 components that you can customize and extend.

• Launch live SWF example

If this video template looks familiar, it's because I wrote a tutorial about it back when Flash first featured a video workflow (Flash MX Professional 2004). In this thoroughly revised article, I've incorporated some of the feedback that readers have sent me over the years about developing playlists, answered many of common questions, and demonstrated some of the most requested features.

Note: This tutorial describes how to create a dynamic playlist for both progressive and streaming delivery of video to Adobe Flash Player 9. To find out how to build a similar playlist targeting older versions of Flash Player, see my past articles, Creating a dynamic playlist for progressive Flash video and Creating a dynamic playlist for streaming Flash video.

The code in this article should be clear enough to follow, even if you're just getting started with ActionScript 3.0—so don't be intimidated! Sample code is provided, along with some sample videos (vintage cartoons courtesy of the Prelinger Archives), so you can test your application right away.

The basic framework of the playlist application consists of the following (see Figure 1):

• XML file as the data source (playlist.xml)
• Custom-made player for playback (VideoPlaylist.swf)
• Custom-made player source file (VideoPlayer.fla)
• External ActionScript files (VideoPlayer.as, Thumb.as)
• Adobe Flash Media Server if you plan to present your content via streaming delivery

Figure 1. Elements of the video playlist application

Requirements

To complete this tutorial, you'll need to install the following software and files:

Flash CS3 Professional

• you can find in this Blog Full version with Serial
  

Flash Media Server 3 (for streaming delivery)

• you can find in this Blog Full version
  

Sample files:

• video_playlist_as3.zip (ZIP, 12.4 MB)

Prerequisite knowledge

This article assumes that you are familiar with Flash Professional CS3 and have a basic understanding of delivering video through the Flash authoring tool and Flash Media Server. You should also have a basic understanding of XML and ActionScript 3.0.

New Adobe TV Programming Comes Online

New Adobe TV Programming Comes Online
http://tv.adobe.com

For immediate release

Unique Creative Suite 3 Video Content Available Via Adobe Media Player and New Web Destination

SAN JOSE, Calif. — April 9, 2008 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced Adobe® TV, a free online video resource for expert instruction and inspiration about Adobe products, including the company’s Creative Suite 3 family of world-class creative tools. With multiple channels, original series programming, and content from Adobe, leading training organizations and the world's leading subject matter experts, Adobe TV delivers a virtual library of entertaining and instructional videos. Designers, photographers, video professionals, and developers will find product deep-dives, innovative tips, techniques from luminaries, and behind-the-scenes tours of the hottest creative shops and Adobe product teams.

Designed to educate, inspire, and entertain the creative community, Adobe TV is immediately available online from the Adobe Web site at http://tv.adobe.com , or as a network with multiple shows in the new Adobe® Media Player 1.0 software, also announced today (see separate press release). Adobe Media Player offers a broad range of television programming and entertaining video content from major television broadcasters and leading content publishers, including CBS, MTV Networks, Universal Music Group, PBS, CondéNet, and Scripps Networks.

“Adobe TV is the online video source for anyone with wants to see how Adobe tools are being used to create stunning work,” said Bob Donlon, executive producer for Adobe TV. “It brings together experts from Adobe and the creative community to inspire and teach how to get the most from the software that is empowering the delivery of high-impact print, online, video and mobile communications. It's also the perfect showcase for Adobe’s broadcast video technologies in action.”

When viewed through Adobe Media Player, Adobe TV allows customers to watch programs at their convenience, save content for offline viewing, and subscribe to favorite channels to get the latest episodes as soon as they are released. Adobe Media Player can be downloaded at: http://www.adobe.com/go/mp .

Videos on http://tv.adobe.com can also be sorted by Most Recent, Most Popular and Top Rated to see what others in the community are watching. Additionally, viewers can easily share their favorite programs with others by posting them to their blogs or Web sites, or e-mailing links to friends. Adobe TV videos come with lightweight links that make it easy to spread the word about interesting content.

Rich Library of Video Content

Adobe TV features four channels, each targeting a specific audience: Photographers, Designers, Video Professionals, and Developers. Each channel features programming from Adobe evangelists, leading trainers, subject matter experts, and luminaries who pull in the crowds at industry events around the world. More than 200 videos are currently available on Adobe TV, with programming that mixes how-to information, case studies, personality-driven shows, and workflow deep-dives. The first set of videos offers secrets about Photoshop® software, podcasts and design tips for Creative Suite, techniques for Photoshop Lightroom®, tips on Adobe Flash® Professional software for beginners, approaches to taming the Web, and information about video and audio production.

“The creative community instinctively turns to the Web as a primary resource for tutorials and information on how to use Adobe products, but before now this content was scattered and difficult to find,” said Joseph Princz, CEO of the interactive agency, Wrecking Ball Media Group. “Adobe TV makes it easier than ever to search for and subscribe to Adobe video content that not only inspires new creative ideas, but also helps us to refine our skill sets and dive further into the essential tools our business depends on every day.”

Creating and Delivering a Complete Online Video Experience

Adobe TV demonstrates the power of Adobe’s leading video technologies from creation to playback. Using components of Adobe Creative Suite® 3, Adobe TV programming is scripted and storyboarded, and the graphics and imagery are developed. During production, Adobe OnLocation™ software monitors quality and records directly to disk. Visual effects are produced in Adobe After Effects® software, the audio is cleaned up or created in Adobe Audition® software and Adobe Soundbooth™ software, and then the programming is edited and output from Adobe Premiere® Pro. Adobe’s Emmy-award-wining Flash® technology, the most widely used platform for delivering interactive experiences online today, and Adobe Flash Media Server then package and deliver Adobe TV video on http://tv.adobe.com and through Adobe Media Player.

About Adobe Systems Incorporated

Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information - anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com .

Printable version

View or download a printable version of this article. (PDF: 50k)

Adobe AIR Developer Derby winners

Adobe AIR Developer Derby winners

Adrian Ludwig

The Adobe AIR Developer Derby featured more than 120 entries across 5 categories: Best Business Application (HTML and Flex), Best Community Application (HTML and Flex) and Wild Card, which included applications that use Adobe AIR functionality but didn't fit any of the other categories.

The judging panel included four developers who have extensive industry experience and a variety of perspectives: Robert Hall, Grant Skinner, Andre Charland, and Chafic Kazoun. They were impressed with the quality, quantity, and diversity of submitted applications. And the winners are...

Grand Prize Winner and Winner—Best Flex Business Application

Agile Agenda

Developer: Marc Hughes
www.agileagenda.com

See Marc Hughes demo his app at MAX 2007.

Agile Agenda is a project management application designed to make managing projects a whole lot easier. With an automatic schedule optimizer that takes multiple tasks, dependencies, and resource constraints into consideration, project managers will know when a project will be completed and which tasks are ahead or behind schedule. They can manage milestones and reassign or reprioritize tasks at any time.

Of course, project management is also about communication so Agile Agenda allows online viewing by any of the project members and also includes the ability to generate a PDF file with a detailed project status update and individualized task list for all members working on a project.

Winner—Best HTML Business Application

ORA Time and Expense

Developer: John Wu
www.johnwu.com/ora

See John Wu demo his app at MAX 2007.

ORA Time and Expense is an application for tracking timesheet tasks and expenses. It can also generate and export reports such as timesheets, expense reports, and invoices. It uses the webcam APIs assist in the filing of expense reports by taking pictures of receipts and including them in the expense reports.

Built using the Ext JS Ajax framework, the user interface includes wizards to help with data entry. The wizards smoothly slide in from the edges of the window allowing the user to maintain context while navigating the application. A timer in the upper left discretely logs the amount of time that has been spent on a specific task making it easier to keep track of billable hours. Data is managed using the local embedded database and reports are written to the local file system in HTML format.

Winner—Best Flex Community Application

SearchCoders

Developers: Tom Bray and Robert Cadena
www.searchcoders.com

See Tom Bray and Robert Cadena demo their app at MAX 2007.

The SearchCoders Dashboard makes it easier for Flex developers to find answers. It provides a search engine to search the 60,000 messages from the FlexCoders mailing list—results are returned almost instantaneously using Flex Data Services. The Adobe AIR application also combines a wide variety of ways for accessing information that a Flex developer (or someone looking to hire a Flex developer) would find useful, including a forum reader, blog reader, a chat client, a notepad, and bookmarks.

Some of the unique features that Adobe AIR enables include a live preview of the application directly on the SearchCoders website, mixing of multiple network data sources, and a sophisticated user interface that appears to float just above the desktop.

Winner—Best HTML Community Application

Spaz

Developer: Edward Finkler
funkatron.com/

See Edward Finkler demo his app at MAX 2007.

Spaz is an Adobe AIR based desktop client for Twitter. It provides users the ability to customize the user interface with multiple themes, user CSS overrides, event sounds, and access to extended features of the Twitter API (follower management, message deletion, and so on). With all of these features, it's one of the most sophisticated Twitter clients around. Its tabbed interface allows a user to keep an eye on what their friends are doing, as well as what others are up to.

On the technical side, Spaz runs on Adobe AIR using the Spry and jQuery JavaScript frameworks. It uses the local file system to store preferences in XML and connects to the Twitter web service.

Winner—Wild Card

Digimix

Developer: Alan Queen
www.digimix.com

See Alan Queen demo his app at MAX 2007.

The wild card category really was wild. There were great games, creative tools, media experiences, and a few things we can't begin to describe. In the end, one application that stood above the rest was a really polished five-track audio mixer called Digimix.

Digimix takes WAV files and allows them to be blended together to create an entirely new audio experience. In addition to five-track audio arranging and editing, Digimix also provides an extensible architecture for audio effects such as feedback and track separation. All of this is implemented in Actionscript 3.0, providing a great demonstration of the speed and power of the virtual machine in Adobe AIR.