Buy and Download - Macromedia Flash MX 2004 7.0 Pro (1 cd)

The grand master of Flash animation apps is now more powerful, requires less programming, and includes better help.

The good: Powerful scripting language; FX and interactive objects now require less programming; new API for plug-ins; new usability features.

The bad: Programming expertise required for complex projects; you must activate the product via the Internet or phone.

By Jon L. Jacobi, August 25, 2003

Macromedia's new $499 Flash MX 2004 Flash animation designer requires less programming, boasts a much improved help system, and offers new usability features such as an improved video-import wizard with editing capabilities, a spelling checker, and a find-and-replace function. Though beginners might not find it as easy to use as Adobe's cheaper LiveMotion, MX 2004 is a uniquely powerful program. It's a must-have upgrade for current users, thanks to its new support for Cascading Style Sheets, an improved (and ECMAScript 3.0-compatible) ActionScript 2 programming language, and a new API that allows third-party plug-ins. A professional version that offers more data-handling features and components is also available--for $200 more.