SWFs for comics--Good idea or bad?

[Arvo]

Since I drew my comics in Flash, I have the option to make them SWF files. This would be easier for me, because Flash has problems exporting to other formats -- it will do it, but often colors do not translate accurately, so you have to go through a big process first exporting to BMP and then using another program to convert it to a PNG or a GIF before you can get accurate colors and a small file size.

As you know, SWF, being a vector format, solves the problems of scalability and the fact that people's monitors aren't all set at the same resolution.

Are all of you able to view SWF files? Are they a pain in the butt? If so, why?

[McDuffies]

StinkyWigFiddle comics? But isn't there already something like that? I think it's called "Head Doctor Productions".

[Nanda]

StinkyWigFiddle comics? But isn't there already something like that? I think it's called "Head Doctor Productions".

I almost did it, but decided against it. Way to play to the lowest common denominator, duffies. You've made me so proud.


...no, I still won't sleep with you.

[Rkolter]

I think that every comic should have Single White Females.

[McDuffies]

...no, I still won't sleep with you.

*runs away crying*

[Rkolter]

...no, I still won't sleep with you.

*runs away crying*

*points and laughs*

[Specterz]

Isn't it kinda geeky to put Star Wars Fans in your comic?

[Nanda]

...no, I still won't sleep with you.

*runs away crying*

*sighs* Oh, poor, poor duffies... Think about it this way: Do you really want wigfiddle's sloppy seconds? Do you?!

[STrRedWolf]

Since I drew my comics in Flash, I have the option to make them SWF files. This would be easier for me, because Flash has problems exporting to other formats -- it will do it, but often colors do not translate accurately, so you have to go through a big process first exporting to BMP and then using another program to convert it to a PNG or a GIF before you can get accurate colors and a small file size.

As you know, SWF, being a vector format, solves the problems of scalability and the fact that people's monitors aren't all set at the same resolution.

Are all of you able to view SWF files? Are they a pain in the butt? If so, why?

Macromedia's Flash plugin does not support dynamic resizing of SWF files on all platforms. In Linux, your copy of Mozilla or Firefox must be compiled with the same exact version of GCC as Macromedia uses with Flash (and they're not tellin'!).

[Arvo]

Since I drew my comics in Flash, I have the option to make them SWF files. This would be easier for me, because Flash has problems exporting to other formats -- it will do it, but often colors do not translate accurately, so you have to go through a big process first exporting to BMP and then using another program to convert it to a PNG or a GIF before you can get accurate colors and a small file size.

As you know, SWF, being a vector format, solves the problems of scalability and the fact that people's monitors aren't all set at the same resolution.

Are all of you able to view SWF files? Are they a pain in the butt? If so, why?

Macromedia's Flash plugin does not support dynamic resizing of SWF files on all platforms. In Linux, your copy of Mozilla or Firefox must be compiled with the same exact version of GCC as Macromedia uses with Flash (and they're not tellin'!).

So if you use Linux, you won't be able to resize the SWF file? What percent of comics fans use Linux? A sizable percentage?

Hey, the rest of you, please stay on topic!

[STrRedWolf]

So if you use Linux, you won't be able to resize the SWF file? What percent of comics fans use Linux? A sizable percentage?

Hey, the rest of you, please stay on topic!

You won't be able to dynamically resize a SWF file through Javascript. It's a bad bug in GCC and how it handles different versions.

However, there are similar difficulties with some SWF and Mozilla/Netscape/Firefox on all platforms (Windows/Mac/Unix).

I'm still waiting for Firefox 1.1 to come out. SVG baby!

[Jackhass]

Ehn...

...I generally prefer that websites don't use any Flash crap.

[Nanda]

Hey, the rest of you, please stay on topic!

That does it... Get in the box.

[Cope]

I subscribe to Eric Burns' thoughts regarding flash; if a part of your site can achieve the same functionality without it, then don't use it.

[Anywherebuthere]

If you have a way to make single white females, why are you not sharing with the rest of us?

[McDuffies]

...no, I still won't sleep with you.

*runs away crying*

*sighs* Oh, poor, poor duffies... Think about it this way: Do you really want wigfiddle's sloppy seconds? Do you?!

Yes if it'll stop Rkolter's horrible laughter that rings through my head.

[Nanda]

*runs away crying*

*sighs* Oh, poor, poor duffies... Think about it this way: Do you really want wigfiddle's sloppy seconds? Do you?!

Yes if it'll stop Rkolter's horrible laughter that rings through my head.

Oh... Well. Sorry.

[Nyke]

I subscribe to Eric Burns' thoughts regarding flash; if a part of your site can achieve the same functionality without it, then don't use it.

and Cope has won the thread.

*gives Cope a medal*

[Christwriter]

What are you trying to do in Flash? If it's anything other than create a 72dpi, 8 to 10 inch wide, nice-looking image, rethink it. Gimmicks appeal to a very, very, very small number of people.

My so-far theory towards the audience is that three-quarters are obvivious and have to be lead around, reminded, and otherwise coaxed and babied, not because they're stupid but because they have a large level of apathy. They just don't care. Of the remaining quarter, maybe another three-quarters/three-fifths notice everything, are very smart, but are too preoccupied to bother. And whatever's left is divided equilly between the rabid fans and the rabid haters.

So if you're lucky enough to have 100 regular readers, 75 won't notice, 15 will but won't use it, five will hate it, and maybe five will like the flashy gimick. If you want to put in an insane amount of effort to feed a very, very, VERY small number of readers, do it. But the majority will not care if it's jpg, gif, png, swf or fubar'ed, as long as it's legible, interesting and small, and it makes NO sense to make something play the star spangled banner when you mouse over it if all the reader's going to do is hit "next" before it's finished the first four bars.

Oh, and one more little tip: Let the crazy people hijack your thread. It's cheap, easily replaceable and easy enough to put back on topic. And if you ask them to stay on topic, they're not going to listen. Just sit back and watch the crazy people. These are fun crazy people. Also note that they ARE crazy people, and it is not very wise to tick off the crazy people when they are prone to set you on fire. It's smarter to just let 'em run and wait for the people kind enough to help you to find you.

And indulge in being crazy every once in a while. It's fun.

CW

[Mr. Caravaggio]

Flash files can be cool. Subtle effects like shimmering water or moving clouds that only take a few moments to animate can really help. It's strange that I can't really name any comic that's taken advantage of the format to it's full extent. I don't know that alpha shade counts because while it is detailed and beautiful up close, it takes a long time to load even on higher end bandwidths. But if there were to be a webcomic that did, it'd still be fairly unique. People banter about the useless "infinate canvas" so much, I find it strange that they ignore the benefits offered by technology truly unique to the screen and not the paper.