Fusion developer, or flash

[yellow peril]

hi all. Im starting up in multimedia development on my own and am looking for the best software for the job. I have developed training software using 'authorware' before, and have many yrs ago used multimedia toolbook, as well as flash recently to develop a CDROM for promotional use.

I have an old copy of multimedia fusion express, which I've used and found pretty handy, but what I want to know is will Multimedia fusion 2, tick all the boxes as far as up to the minute development is concerned. I will be developing CDROMs, which I want to run in any computer, and they will be rich in images and video. the difficulty I remember with my old copy of fusion was getting video to run from the cd drive in any computer in applications running off cdrom. Can fusion 2 create a program that will, autorun, run from cd without needing dll, files put on other peoples computers, and be capable of running video in these products from the cd drive, whatever the drive may be called (/D, /E, or whatever) Would fusion pull video from an external file on the cdrom drive, or would it embedd it in an exe. that is copied to disc.

also (getting there I promise) can it produce links to email, and external web links from within the programmes created with it, as well as opening pdf files that may be on the same cdrom as the Excecutable.

sorry for the rambling, but it's important I choose the right software, as I want to get it right from the off, and have software capable of every eventuality. The reason I havent just gone and got flash', with everyone seems to use, is because I hate the user interface, and the seemingly illogical way you develop interaction, as opposed to fusion, which has a frame, you fill it with all your content, and then just create the next and bung a load more stuff in, no 500 frames of flash animation, just to create basic path animation.

I would be gratefull of you advice.

Also I'm in the UK, where can I buy it (The net shop doesn't seem to be working, it won't let me on)

[Joshtek]

Multimedia Fusion Express was developed ten years ago. Since then MMF has come a long way in terms of usability and functionality. I'll try my best to answer your questions.

Does MMF2 support auto-run? Yes. I think TGF supported this also, because all it requires is the creation of an INF file in the root directory of the disc to tell the Operating System to run the application (any application).
Does MMF2 run off a CD-ROM for people without MMF2 installed? Yes. It no longer needs a seperate DLL file, although temporary files are stored in the temp dir of the PC while an application is running.
Can it run video from a CD-ROM? I'm fairly sure it can do this through the Direct Show object (and maybe a few other objects, such as AVI, MPEG and Active X using Windows Media Player),
Does MMF2 support the embedding of files? Yes, it does.

I am not aware of any web shop downtime. If it is still not working for you tomorrow then make a post about it. I highly recommend you get MMF2 from Clickteam direct, as you can fill out the upgrade form for a discount code because you already have Multimedia Fusion Express. On the form select The Games Factory and explain that it is Multimedia Fusion Express in the serial number/registration info box.

[DavidN]

In no particular order: Yes.

MMF2 applications run without requiring an additional .DLL file, and is capable of running videos stored externally through several different extensions. Autorun is really a responsibility of the autorun.inf file on the CD rather than a multimedia package.

Links to email/web pages/PDFs can be made within an application by using the Vitalize object.

I used to use Toolbook. I never really got very far with it, though.

[drnebula]

Joshtek, you mention that files are stored in the "temp directory" on the computer. What is or how can that temp directory be found or specified for use with a MMF application. I have had troubles running my applications on computers over a server since they do not have permission to access the windows directory (an ini file for example). I would like to save files to this temporary directory when the application is run. Any help or hints appreciated.
Steve

[Joshtek]

Joshtek, you mention that files are stored in the "temp directory" on the computer. What is or how can that temp directory be found or specified for use with a MMF application.

A random folder is created in the user's temp directory, something like "C:\Documents and Settings\josh\Local Settings\temp\mrt24.tmp" in XP. This folder is used for embedded files, and all DLL files that the application uses. It contains the extensions, sound filters, and mmfs2.dll.

Since it is in their user directory (as opposed to the windows dir) it should be okay permission-wise. By default high-score tables are stored in the windows dir, but you can set it to be somewhere else (e.g. current directory) if you wish.

Oh, and the executable itself is extracted to the temp folder and run from there if you enable the "compress runtime" feature of MMF2. On the one hand this makes for a smaller file but on the other hand it may confuse a PC-based firewall if your app uses the Internet, as it could see your app as a "new file" every time.

[00J]

As the owner of both products, I would say they are two vastly different pieces of software.

If you want to make a game go with MMF 2.
If you want to make movies or cartoons go with Flash.
Although Flash can do games, it is very complicated and tedious, MMF 2 has been optimized with game performance in mind, and Flash has not. Flash is incredibly slow, so there is no comparision MMF 2 versus Flash.

These are the Facts. So are you trying to develop indie games or indie movies? [smile]

Oh and MMF can do some handy Movie type stuff also, you mentioned paths and such. Everything has been handled to date in MMF, other than Vector graphics which can't be done.

I would say use them both... Flash for art, MMF for mechanics.

Also as mentioned everything has been handled for distrubution of your product, be it a game or other program.

Multi-media Fusion Express? [laugh]

MMF fusion is in the Milky Way, MMF 2 is at Alpha Centari...

[Novabrain]

I agree with that assessment, 00J.

It would be prudent to note here that I have tested enough extensions in the background to predict that MMF2 does have the ability to support fast, flexible vectors.

While nobody can estimate when this will become a reality for users, it is only a matter of time.

Just imagine using vector object(s) that would gradually set the stage for full-blown shape/color/morphing/scaling graphics.

Also, imagine having a way to set trigger points in real-time via a Flash-like box display/recorder and then connect them with events/actions as you please. The display/dialog would allow you to record, play, rewind, stop, etc., with a useful, advanced time line featuring the usual transport controls. This would come in handy for cut-scenes, movies, puppets, etc. Everything you marked would could be saved and loaded from editable files. I see this area as very open to possibilities and expansion. Tweening and other features could make it a breeze to create media quickly and easily, as with the rest of MMF's great capabilities and features.

So, it is not a matter of if, but of when. Jeff and I both are going to do our best to continue to recruit, encourage, and work with Extension Developers who are loyal and dedicated to the product. Since the first three Bonus Packs represent great success in that area, I am optimistic that we can make this a reality over time. Maybe this could happen within a year, more or less.

For those interested in the above, your support, ideas, and comments, are welcome.

[yellow peril]

plenty of info there folks cheers. The stuff I'm going to be working on will be mainly multimedia presentation to advertise companies, corporate cdroms ect. So video will be limted to just clips that I'll edit in videosoftware and save as mpeg or avi.

As long as I can create cdroms with video, graphics ect, that'll run on any computer i see fusion 2 developer as covering the aspects I need. I'm not creating games, and animations will be served enough with MMF animation options I think. The old fusion express I had, (yes it's old) seemed to make sense, and I thought the much newer versions must be pretty good. I've downloaded the demo and find the new inteface very user friendly.

cheers

[Joshtek]

As long as I can create cdroms with video, graphics ect, that'll run on any computer

At the moment, MMF2 apps won't natively run on MAC/Linux.