Flash Catalyst Performance Tricks
I did two main things over the break: learned C# and played with Flash Catalyst. For the first, I highly suggest Head First C# - great, great book. With the MAX announcements I got excited about the Flex and C# worlds coming together so I’m looking to pump out some data services examples with the new .NET stuff. But I also wanted to make the most out of Flash Catalyst and since it’s an early build, I noticed that as the content I created got more complex, Flash Catalyst slowed down. So I asked Cory West, the engineering manager for some performance tips when using Flash Catalyst. A couple of these are pretty obvious, but if you’re running into issues, it’s good to keep these in mind:
- Turn off “auto effects” for all your transitions. This is a two-step process for an existing document: 1) from the “Timelines” menu, make sure “Auto Effects for New Transitions” is UNCHECKED, and 2) make sure auto effect generation is off for all existing transitions (this is the weird toggle button on each transition that looks like an alien radiator)
- Minimize the number of states in your document.
- Minimize the number of objects you create.
- Avoid using VERY large bitmap images unless you have a TON of RAM.
I’ve also got an in-depth walkthrough/tutorial that I’ll be posting here in text form and screencast form that should help cover most of the features in the MAX release.
Posted in Flash Catalyst, Flex, Rich Internet Applications
January 5th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Hi Ryan!
C# with Flex from your side, sounds good, Benign a .Net guy, I was wondering when BlazeDS for .Net will be available for testing, i wish it has been released already as i was testing WebORB and Fluorine for some realtime messaging app that i am creating.
P.S. Just wanted to know, have you sent me the Flash Catalyst cd/dvd :s
Thanx n Cheers
January 5th, 2009 at 2:55 am
Hey Syed, not yet. Seattle got hit by snow before I went on vacation so the Adobe offices were closed. Should go out this week.
=Ryan
ryan@adobe.com
January 5th, 2009 at 3:36 am
Hi Ryran,
i d love to read your posts about adobe termo and I d realy like do my own steps with Thermo.
Just want wo know, if you could sent me the Flash Catalyst CD/DVD as well?
Tanks.
January 5th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Hey Ryan,
I have to agree with you. The Head First series is quite good. Also, I didn’t know you are up here in Seattle, rock on.
Cheers,
Nate
January 8th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
So the thing is not even out and you post performance tricks.
To me, sounds like there are performance issues right out of the box!
All I want is the people who made After Effect to make the Flash IDE’s. They know their stuff…
January 11th, 2009 at 10:14 am
I know its premature to ask but can you give us an approximate price range for Flash Catalyst…Thanks