Another awesome set of files uploaded to FlashDen this week, including an eagerly awaited and currently hugely popular file from michaelhejja. Whether it’s a Photo Gallery, a Content Scroller or even an Audio Player, we’ve got you covered in this week’s pick of the bunch!
There’s a new Flash CMS on the block and it’s called FlashMoto. The concept sounds fantastic and the interface design is extremely well done. But what’s actually under the hood? Let’s take a closer look!
FlashMoto allows users to create and manage a Flash Web site very quickly and very easily using a purpose-built back-end system developed in Flex. This is commonly referred to as a Content Management System or CMS. The site is currently in beta and open to the public.
Once you’ve created your account and log in for the first time, you’re presented with the control panel with the following choices:
Although there’s an option to switch off the control panel when you next log on, the control panel options are a really nice way to give new users an overview of all the options. Each icon has an attractive, 3D animated rollover which, when clicked, takes the user to the corresponding section.
What’s nice about these choices is that FlashMoto caters for users of all abilities. If you’re a complete novice with very little Flash experience, you can using the Content Wizard that breaks down site maintenance into Editing Website Content, Editing Site Structure & Layout, Changing Website or Control Panel Settings and Help & Support. If you’re more comfortable with Flash however, you can jump straight into site design and start adding content and special modules such as an image gallery and audio player.
No matter what your level of expertise, the prospect of the Help & Support features are really nice. There are lessons and tutorials, a user guide for the Control Panel and a Frequently Asked Questions section. Admittedly, because the site is still in beta, no tutorials or user guides have been added yet, but it’s nice to see that a help and support system has been integrated well into the app and are prominently accessible for any moments of frustration.
This is where the fun begins. 
There’s so much you can do to develop your own site with FlashMoto, it’s knowing where to begin that might cause some problems for anyone who has not created a Flash Web site before. One of the simplest places to start is by looking down the tool panel on the left hand site. It’s here you see icons/options for adding text, an image, a shape, a Flash file, video, a “slot” (basically interactive buttons) and a module. The modules really help speed-up the addition of interactive content by allowing you to insert a news block, an image gallery, a video player or an audio player.
One of the killer features of FlashMoto is the way each module can be resized by the user to whatever dimensions you want. You can drag items around the screen to reposition or you can even use x and y co-ordinates in the module properties sidebar to the right of the screen for more precise positioning. Here’s a screenshot showing some of the options available to the user regarding how modules can be manipulated:
It wasn’t until I started customizing modules with FlashMoto that it dawned on me how effective this kind of application really is. There are no XML files or ActionScript files for the user to update to populate an image gallery with images for example. Instead, the user simply double-clicks on a module to access a configuration screen where you can add images, thumbnails, access a media library, and add text via a beautiful text editor as show below:
Other nice touches I really liked about FlashMoto were, the familiar use of a top, horizontal menu bar we’re accustomed to with our desktop apps that allow us to open, save and edit files. I found the undo and redo tools particularly useful, so if something doesn’t quite work out right, users always have undo to fall back on.
I also liked the ability to move around open windows just like a regular operating system, so you could keep configuration screens open and place them where you wanted so you could still see your site design underneath. The fullscreen feature was also very useful, which obviously takes advantage of your entire monitor real estate.
Finally, previewing your Flash site has never been easier. No compiling, no annoying error messages, just one click of a button, and the site you just built is immediately visible. Talk about efficiency! You can even grab the URL of your preview and share it with friends or clients.
Although this review is not exhaustive, it should give you a very clear idea about how solid FlashMoto is. You really need to see for yourself to understand how useful a tool like this can be.
Everything about FlashMoto has been well thought out. The design, the features, but above all else, the usability and the way the interface and experience is totally focused on the user. When you can marry usefulness with well designed applications (both from an aesthetic and usability perspective), then you can’t go far wrong.
FlashMoto is an incredible demonstration of how Rich Internet Applications should be developed. This kind of CMS really underlines how powerful Flex is. The dawn of extremely attractive, functional, and useful applications is already upon us because of apps like FlashMoto, and the line between desktop applications and online applications is starting to blur. Much, may I add, to the benefit of the end user.
For more information, visit FlashMoto.com.
Featuring stunning, clean, contemporary designs and a wide-range of Flash products in his FlashDen portfolio, quickyboy is a FlashDen legend! From his Full XML Template that has sold over 600 times, to the plethora of portfolios, menus, galleries and audio players in his FD collection, there’s no denying that quickyboy has one of the most consistently professional portfolios on FlashDen. So you’ve seen his portfolio, you know how great his files are, let’s meet the man behind the magic!
I’m a good-looking flash developer who likes girls very much. I smell good, I
don’t have a car, a cat, or a dog, I’m not much of a football fan, I have a very good sense of humor, I’m skinny, my name is Bogdan Mihai (friends call me Bog), I’m from Romania and I
kill people for a living.
I’m a Photoshop lover and always will be! When I first opened Flash, I
remember it was Flash 5. I played a little bit with the timeline and that was it… I
uninstalled it straight away. That is what I do with most of the software. At the
beginning, I got scared. I got scared of FlashDen also, that’s why I was inactive
for about a year I think! I had to learn AS! As a designer, I hate code, but now I’m
happy I learned AS! Yeah! And I would like to thank Collis for the awesome FlashDen
design! That’s what made me start selling items after all: the great feeling that
this site gives me.
Yes I do create them from scratch. I don’t like mixing things. Freelance is
freelance and FlashDen is, and always will be, FlashDen. Creating things from scratch
give me the liberty to go with the flow. By re-using things you kinda set yourself
some limits.
Oh, I read a lot of design and inspirational blogs or sites. I’m always up to date
with the latest design trends.
I just let it flow away. I never make plans or follow specific steps. When I work,
there are no rules or limits! I just express myself in what I do. Usually it starts
with a menu and goes all the way to a template.
I got a small logo which I love by the way! I usually got tired of the blue color -
but all my files are blue I don’t do too much to be honest… I’m aware of what I should be doing to market my files, but choose not to: like talk a lot in the forums (look at FlashJunkie for example! - I love you man) or use a personal blog to advertise my items and attract new
customers. Wait, I am lying: I’ve got a Twitter account, RSS feed, online support
section to some of the files (that’s cool by the way), feedback form, etc. I
do care about my customers after all!
Just listen to your clients, help them with their needs, don’t start too many
freelance projects and don’t sleep. If you sleep, you won’t have enough time to
satisfy all of them! And first of all, work hard on the design! Keep it simple!
Simple is more!
First of all, I would like to mention here Chuckanuka - because he was the only
one who remembered me! Then I tend to categorize authors. I love some of
them for their designs like: triworks, richardson, ranfirefly, chuckanucka, louros. I love
sqrt121 and jurgen for the many features that they add to their files (very easy
to customize). I also love bobocel (I was disappointed you didn’t mention me bobo!) and I like fifty_tons because he likes my AudioJungle creations.
I haven’t released my best work yet. I’ll get an FWA someday, that’s when I will do my
best. I really like my FD work! I really do. And so far I love my “Fine timeline“,
the “Mp3 player V2” and of course my “Full XML template“. It is only a matter of
designing clean things - that’s what I love!
I can’t think of anything right now… Flashden is a great community to start! It is
so friendly - motivates you to start doing things. That’s where I got
appreciated, that where I grew up as a coder, it is where I met great people,
made my freelance relations. I love you FD!
OMG! I write poems, I write music, I go to the theater, I play my guitar, I have a
hiphop band, I read Russian literature and drink tea, I go out with my friends -
I’m a cuba libre fan! I listen to Jazz music, I buy perfumes, I read design blogs, I
check out my e-mail, I chat. I don’t really do much things - there are so many
things that I don’t do: I don’t watch TV, I don’t eat much, I don’t answer to my
phone (never!) OH! And I play Dota!
Guys, I’m taking you to the next level! That’s what I do best! And if sometimes I
disappear, don’t worry, I’m not dead, I’m not somewhere on an island, I didn’t
forget you! I’m just preparing the next bomb - in every small detail! So stay
tuned, because the next level is very close and it will blow you away!
“Collision” is the name. (And yes, that’s a clue, Sherlock!) 
Thank you guys for appreciating my work! I would like to thank all my clients for
buying my stuff. And thank you Scott for this interview!
Yes, you heard me correctly. We’re starting a new program that I think you’re going to like. Each month, we’re going to give away one free file on each marketplace (FlashDen, ThemeForest, AudioJungle, GraphicRiver, and VideoHive). Here on FlashDen we’re starting this program out with a bang! Please welcome the never-before-seen gallery by Parker&Kent!
Author: ParkerAndKent
File: AS2 XML Free Photo Gallery
Description:
Elegant and simple gallery with smooth transitions and space-efficient masking. To see the options, simply hold your cursor over the plus icon to the right of the image. There you’ll be presented with buttons to see the galleries and thumbnails, and to start the slideshow. Roll over each image to see the hidden description roll into view. The vibrantly-colored (editable) tooltip follows the cursor around making sure the user knows exactly what he or she is looking at. This is the perfect gallery solution for any website wanting to add a little class.
Main features:
Usage:
You are granted ONE free usage of the item in a project, either commercial or non-commercial. You may not use the file in multiple projects unless you purchase licenses in the usual way. You may not redistribute the item in any way. If you need a different license for this file, you may purchase it here.
A big thanks for the free file, ParkerAndKent! Here are some of ParkerAndKent’s other great files:
Also, be sure to check out this month’s free files from all the other Envato marketplaces.
Quite a variety of Flash tools, stories and articles to report on, so without further to do, it’s time for another round-up of Flash-related news with News Flash!
Last month I posted a roundup of “Page Flip” tools built in Flash that simulate turning pages in a book. Well, it turns out (yes, pun intended ) that there’s another amazing tool available developed by a German developer called Florian Nücke. It’s called Megazine, and not only does it look terrific, but it also features extremely well thought-out usability, deeplinking, page caching, image zoom, a full API, and one import thing: It’s totally free and open source! View the Megazine demo.
For most Flash designers and developers, using SWFObject to embed Flash content on Web pages is a pretty straight forward task. However, understanding some finer details might help you to better understand the best practices of implementing SWFObject and to take advantage of some SEO techniques. Read TechLabs’ tips on implementing SWFObject.
I’ve always (fondly) thought of Flash legend Lee Brimelow as one of those kids that dismantled all of his toys as a kid to see how they worked before putting them back together afterwards. In stark contrast, whenever I dismantled my toys, they were broken for good! Some things don’t change as Lee tinkers with audio in his latest blog post called Manipulating mp3 Speed and Direction and explores various ways to manipulate audio using Flash Player 10.
You know, you can never have too many photo galleries. Especially ones developed in Flash! Photo Diary is an interesting twist on Flash galleries as its PHP back-end allows visitors to add comments on each photo by attaching a sticky notes with a message on it. The gallery also features a useful admin console to manage all the image assets and comments. View the Demo or check out the admin console.
If Web applications could be judged by name alone, then the De MonsterDebugger would win every time! Originating from The Netherlands in Europe, De MonsterDebugger is an open source debugger for Adobe Flash, Flex and AIR. The application was made in Flex and AIR and allows developers to debug their code in a more efficient manner. For a full set of the many features and to download the AIR app yourself, click here.
No, Microsoft have still not given up chasing Adobe’s tail. Silverlight 3 promises to challenge Adobe AIR by now allowing Silverlight applications to run on the desktop. This infoworld.com article is a first look at the forthcoming version of Silverlight from Microsoft. Read more.
Flashtuts+, the “sister” Web site of FlashDen, is part of the envato Tuts+ network, and features some of the best Flash, ActionScript and Flex tutorials on the Web in an easy-to-follow and engaging format.
Each week on FlashDen we will provide a roundup of all the previous week’s tutorials from Flashtuts+ as a reminder to brush-up on your Flash skills or to learn something new.
Here are the outstanding contributions to FlashDen over the past 7 days that have caught my eye. Whether it’s innovation, design, or just a great concept, the following files have demonstrated a little bit extra as far as quality and/or usefulness is concerned. Well done to all the authors whose files are featured below, keep-up the great work!
The big Flash news this week occurred yesterday as Adobe mobile phone designer HTC announced the new HTC Hero as the first Android phone to ship with support for Adobe® Flash® Platform technology.
Android, an operating system for mobile devices initially developed by Google, allows developers to write Java code to control Android devices via Google-developed Java libraries.
Unlike Apple’s iPhone, the HTC Hero will allow applications, games and utilities developed in Flash to run on its operating system. That’s great news not only for Flash developers, but for consumers wanting to access Flash Web sites and Flash-based video.
“The collaboration with HTC offers people a more complete Flash based Web browsing experience today and presents an important step towards full Web browsing with Flash Player 10 on mobile phones in the future.”
David Wadhwani, VP and general manager, Adobe Platform Business Unit
Note that David mentions that this is just the first step towards accessing 100% Flash content on mobile technology. The HTC currently only supports files developed in ActionScript 2, but as soon as Flash Player 10 for mobile phones is complete, all Flash content, including more recent files developed with ActionScript 3, will become supported.
Watch the video below featuring Adrian Ludwig from Adobe as he shows off some Flash Web sites on the HTC Hero, the first Android smartphone with Flash:
So, how much can you make selling stock in the Envato marketplaces? No too long ago DigitalScience hit an incredible landmark by selling a quarter of a million dollars worth of files and VF was the first to sell one file 2000 times. Triworks has just accomplished the same amazing feat as VF, but with a $40 file; Their Full XML Website V3 just sold for the 2000th time! 2000 sales at $40 per sale means this file alone has grossed $80,000! Congrats Triworks!
It’s inspiring to see the potential that can be reached by Envato authors. Though DigitalScience, VF, and Triworks are the first to reach these incredible monuments, I’m sure they won’t be the last.
This week we interviewed site template master Aw_Shucks. Aw_Shucks is a very popular FlashDen author and community member and has been part of FlashDen for a long time. You may know Aw_Shucks through his previous FlashDen accounts, URanimEnigma and AdamB4God. His current portfolio is a high quality and diverse affair, containing a plethora of feature-rich site templates, menus, image galleries, utilities and what seems to be his most recent interest, mp3 players. Want to find out more about the method behind the mayhem? Read on!
My name is Benjamin Altiery, for those of you who don’t already know. I’m from a town on the outskirts of Chicago called, Joliet in the State of Illinois, USA. Well, its actually a city, not quite a town. For a living… hmm. I work on Web applications via FLASH. I eat, sleep, work out on the remote control for a while and get back to working on FLASH if I’m not sleeping. Basically, I don’t do much but sit in front of my computer and study and practice new ways of developing files as best I can. It’s tough to make a living off Flash Den when you’re files aren’t in tip-top shape. Sure practice makes perfect, but I’m learning that the hard way.
I’ve been using Flash since shortly after Flash Professional 8 came out (I think it was in 2005) during the summer. Flash works my mind in ways that gets me satisfied for using it, so I stick with it. It wasn’t long after I learned how to use onEnterFrame functions that I decided to try and dispense my work on FlashDen. Little did I know, (and I knew little of Flash at the time), that it takes a lot more than generic code to get your files approved. My first file was rejected for small issues with the functionality. Later when I got more into XML I tried again. Lo and behold my file was accepted. Back then I guess it was easier to get away with files that weren’t quite as up to par as DS’s or Dabamol’s, for the sake of comparison examples. I guess that was because “eden”, as envato was known then, was just starting out and was a lot more forgiving for their own reasons. But I improved, and selling on FlashDen, believe it or not, keeps me going.
Most of the time when I design things I start from scratch - an empty canvas and brand new text files. But sometimes, when I need to search for something because of problems with memory (cluttered brain functionality), I look at files I’ve made before for reference. Copying code just to save time was a convenience. I knew the code already, so I don’t think it would have been a problem to have reused some of it in other projects. Things like MovieClipLoader classes and scroller functions… really that’s mostly it. I mostly copied the framework and then built the rest of the functionality as the file grew to completion if I did reuse old code. That’s how my files tend to evolve.
When I first started out I would get inspiration from both the spark of well thought out ideas and from other Web masters on other sites. I’m referring to the many, many different Web sites that reflect complexity and simplicity all in one.
My steps are something to wonder about than to formulate into a clearly thought out and strict process. It all depends on how good my ideas are. Sometimes I find it necessary to build an application around the XML file, so I start with building the XML file. Generally however, I start with the design and a set of functions that I would be interested in bringing to life, so to speak. If I like the functionality I build the design around it. If I like the design, I contemplate a matching set of functions. Lately I’ve taken into account the importance of making the file as user friendly and easy to customize as I can. My techniques are constantly evolving because of the need to keep up with other designer/developers.
I then typically create the symbols and after that, slowly attach each symbol to a function, method, or action with ActionScript. I’ve learned to take it slow and make sure to work out any bugs I can find before uploading to FlashDen. It avoids the problems I experienced when I was pretty much a careless and over eager beginner.
Not much. I wait for the files to do their work, basically. I’ve taken it upon myself to try a new way to set my thumb images apart from other authors though. I’ve made a personal logo which I apply to my file’s thumb images. I don’t know if it works or not for improving sales, but it definitely gives a distinguishable introduction to my files.
I know that I’m not the best at it, but I’d have to say, improve your file’s overall Functionality and Design. “FD”, how apt! Also, make your files customizable. It’s my preference not to make everything that is demanded. Instead, I simply make a file practical. So if a customer keeps demanding to make a good file different just to suit his or her own needs, I would pass on the opportunity to make money so that I could keep a practical file, if I can. I’m actually learning that as I get better.
Above all else: It is important to aim to suit the needs of a buyer by designing a good file that is usable and customizable from the beginning. Good looks help too. (I don’t mean fix your hair before uploading a file either. 
)
I can’t really say I have a favorite. I try to stay away from choosing a favorite when it involves picking a human over another. But I can definitely say what FD authors I look toward when it comes to professionalism. MBMedia has innovative products. Bobocel is a trustworthy advocate with his “suit your needs” files. Micheal hey ya… (I forgot how to spell his name), he always surprises FD with his works. There are others, but I don’t like to keep points about who’s better than who. Anyone can improve enough if they keep their dedication.
I don’t know. That’s tough. But since you’re so insistent I’ll give a couple examples. My best template would probably have to be my “Be Template“. Others might Disagree though. My best AS3 file would be the only one I’ve ever made. I just finished it today up to what I’ve estimated to be about 99.8% complete. Its an mp3 player with some pretty cool functionality. I’ll be uploading it as soon as I get finished with the help file.
Everywhere I go on FlashDen there seems to be a complaint. If I could change one thing it would have to be that others would take into consideration that FD, and the rest of envato is still growing, still maturing. It’s getting better. I love the way the staff is so open with the members of their ever better marketplaces. I too need to show more improvement with how I handle things with envato and its members. So, just say thanks once in a while to remind yourselves that the staff are also developing their skills. Also, one more important change would be to bring back the useful ways of withdrawing funds to a PayPal account. Patience is key though. However, there’s only one way I can change that. And that would be to at least bring it to your attention and, like I said, patiently wait in case it does happen. The rest would be up to envato.
Well, I’m sure my nose hates my finger by now. But I try to find ways to have fun with what comes out of it.
No, I’m kidding. I don’t like playing video games anymore. When you have schizophrenia the games start to talk back. Freaky stuff. So if I do something other than flash, it might be that I go to friend’s house or to family member’s house to chill. That’s pretty much it.
It’s my first AS3 file. It functions without any hitches. I’ve successfully created as much garbage collection as I could. Every button has a purpose. The interface has mp3 controls (previous song, play song, stop song, pause song, next song). The buttons on the right all have special abilities. (leaping over tall buildings, faster than speeding bullets, super strength), I’m kidding of course. They all have different item display purposes like: volume display, song title display, album title display, artist display, equalizer display, time/progress display and the last button all the way to the right toggles the player to go to either the right side of the stage or to the left side of the stage. It’s no secret. So it’s cool. I should be uploading it by tomorrow if all goes well.
Thanks for reading. Well, they say the stronger you get, the stronger you smell. I’m feeling pretty strong right now, so I’ll be going to clean up. ( Darn it! I’ll lose all my strength.)
Peace out funky freshes.
// Aw_Shucks –
