Flash CS5 Review - Should You Upgrade?

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CS5 seems to have taken the time and effort to create features such as code snippets and auto-completion in the fully re-imagined code editor, both designed to help keep coding as simple as possible, which is great for shaving time off of projects and helping newer users learn the ropes.

Like past versions, the layout is still a little cluttered at times, so users will have to take the time to figure out which panels they will need open and peck around to find how to close those that are not immediately needed. As soon as you free yourself of the out-of-the-box clutter, CS5 feels familiar and comfortable, something appreciated by those upgrading.

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In addition to having a large amount of presets, you can easily write your own snippet and save it within the panel. This is invaluable to people who develop templates or regularly create Flash animations.

Flash CS5 boasts a new file format, the .XFL filetype. The .XFL file format is an uncompressed filetype that turns a Flash file up into a directory that contains XML files and information about the Flash document. This allows you to directly link an image in a Flash document, and the XFL file will copy the image and add it to your external library folder, removing the need to manually specify where the image is and the need to create a directory elsewhere.

One of the most anticipated updates to Adobe Flash via CS5 was the Text Layout Framework, or TLF for short. The TLF allows a user to link text fields together, and when published, the group is selectable as though it were in a single field, rather than multiple text fields. This allows for a smoother flow and easier spacing of columns and rows, which leads to more fluid, professional, and eye-pleasing designs.

Flash CS5 hosts one big mistake - the iPhone packager. Adobe jumped the gun and added a small add-in program targeted directly for iPhones. Shortly after, Apple announced that they will no longer be permitting Flash applications to be delivered to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users through the Apple App Store. While this isn't Adobe's choice, it should be noted that they didn't ask Apple for permission. Adobe assures us, though, that they're going to target Android-based technologies instead, and are working closely with Google and other partners involved in the Open Screen Project.

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However, in Adobe Flash CS5, the coding has received a complete overhaul – something that users are sure to find invaluable. You'll save time by editing directly in Flash, and the automatic addition of statements and bracket closing shaves time off of the hassle of writing code.

The new editor includes a myriad of handy code-hints and auto-completion. One of the nicest features of auto-completion is that it supports linked external libraries, simply type in a line of code and all linked objects will pop up in a handy suggestion box.

Adobe products are expensive, which is something their seasoned users have come to expect. Still, Adobe Flash CS5 offers an impressive amount of upgrades and new features that users are sure to enjoy. This is an incredibly well thought out version, and most users shouldn't be afraid of getting jipped if they choose to upgrade. Adobe Flash Pro CS5 checks in at just under $700, steep, but nothing that Adobe customers haven't seen before.

Adobe Flash CS5 passes with flying colors as it is an extremely polished, well thought-out program. Adobe clearly took their time with improving their existing features, as well as coming up with new features that improve the value of Flash greatly. Even with a steep price and a dead feature, the upgrade is highly recommended, especially with the promise of improved support for Android products and Open Screen Project partners.