Adobe Thermo
Encyclopedia
Adobe Flash Catalyst is a designers' tool for creating the user interface
for Rich Internet Applications.
architects can create the user interface for Adobe Flex
applications using Adobe graphic software. Then developers can use the result to build the rest of the application in Flex.
Flash Catalyst can import Adobe Photoshop
, Adobe Illustrator
, Adobe Fireworks, or Flash XML Graphics (FXG
) files keeping all their features. The converted artwork can then be used as functional UI components (creating Flex component skins). After importing, users use simple WYSIWYG
techniques to create and edit behaviors (mouse event handling, etc.) without writing code and create animated transitions. Flash Catalyst can also use design-time data placeholders when marking up an application, testing interactivity, and choreographing motion. These placeholders can then be replaced at production-time with final artwork. This same method can be used to create UIs to handle dynamic data without having access to the actual data source.
Imported objects are maintained as linked files, so behaviors created in Flash Catalyst are still maintained even after the original file is edited in its originating program (e.g., Photoshop or Illustrator). Flash Catalyst is also compatible with Adobe Flash Builder (formerly called "Flex Builder"), using the same project format.
In addition to its primary function of being a GUI
composer for Adobe Flex components, Flash Catalyst also features a basic code workspace, which consists of a subset of Adobe Flash Builder's panels. Both tools being based on Eclipse
, the code editor, project navigator and problems view are basically the same in both products. Thus for a simple project Flash Catalyst may even be used as the sole software for the entire authoring/programming steps.
User interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
for Rich Internet Applications.
Features
With Flash Catalyst, user interfaceUser interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
architects can create the user interface for Adobe Flex
Adobe Flex
Adobe Flex is a software development kit released by Adobe Systems for the development and deployment of cross-platform rich Internet applications based on the Adobe Flash platform...
applications using Adobe graphic software. Then developers can use the result to build the rest of the application in Flex.
Flash Catalyst can import Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is a graphics editing program developed and published by Adobe Systems Incorporated.Adobe's 2003 "Creative Suite" rebranding led to Adobe Photoshop 8's renaming to Adobe Photoshop CS. Thus, Adobe Photoshop CS5 is the 12th major release of Adobe Photoshop...
, Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor developed and marketed by Adobe Systems. Illustrator is similar in scope, intended market, and functionality to its competitors, CorelDraw, Xara Designer Pro and Macromedia FreeHand....
, Adobe Fireworks, or Flash XML Graphics (FXG
FXG
Flash XML Graphics is a specification for an XML-based graphics file format for describing two-dimensional vector graphics being developed by Adobe Systems...
) files keeping all their features. The converted artwork can then be used as functional UI components (creating Flex component skins). After importing, users use simple WYSIWYG
WYSIWYG
WYSIWYG is an acronym for What You See Is What You Get. The term is used in computing to describe a system in which content displayed onscreen during editing appears in a form closely corresponding to its appearance when printed or displayed as a finished product...
techniques to create and edit behaviors (mouse event handling, etc.) without writing code and create animated transitions. Flash Catalyst can also use design-time data placeholders when marking up an application, testing interactivity, and choreographing motion. These placeholders can then be replaced at production-time with final artwork. This same method can be used to create UIs to handle dynamic data without having access to the actual data source.
Imported objects are maintained as linked files, so behaviors created in Flash Catalyst are still maintained even after the original file is edited in its originating program (e.g., Photoshop or Illustrator). Flash Catalyst is also compatible with Adobe Flash Builder (formerly called "Flex Builder"), using the same project format.
In addition to its primary function of being a GUI
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
composer for Adobe Flex components, Flash Catalyst also features a basic code workspace, which consists of a subset of Adobe Flash Builder's panels. Both tools being based on Eclipse
Eclipse (software)
Eclipse is a multi-language software development environment comprising an integrated development environment and an extensible plug-in system...
, the code editor, project navigator and problems view are basically the same in both products. Thus for a simple project Flash Catalyst may even be used as the sole software for the entire authoring/programming steps.