Animate in a 2.5D world is just as good as 3D, and it’s actually my preference when you combine the two best motion graphics programs from the same suite, Flash CS4 and After Effects CS4. Before the release of CS4, integrating the two was like putting oil and water together and forcing them to emulsify. Now it’s more like putting apples and oranges together (with a shot of rum) and making a fruit punch!

After Effects is commonly used as a video editing and enhancement software, taking video footage and applying unlimited effects, text animations, and 3D camera movements. The files created do not always contain videos, many times they are just cool text effects and motion graphics created within the program. Files can be rendered (i.e. exported) in .swf, .avi, .flv and my personal favorite is the new .xfl. My next article will cover the use of these file types in your projects.

After Effects seems like a dream for a Flash developer, however the problem for us is that when compiled, After Effects files are movies with no user interaction such as buttons and rollover animations, as opposed to a .swf file . That’s where Flash CS4 comes in. Flash can now take the new .xfl file from After Effects and import the footage and manipulate it like a movie clip. The only limitation in Flash with the use of the .xfl file is that you cannot edit the actual images created in After Effects; however, you can use keyframe to modify the movie’s timeline.

When rendering (exporting) an After Effects XFL for Flash, the settings for saving the file can be a bit mysterious. There are third-party plugins available to “zip” your footage into a small file while maintaining resolution, but I recommend trying out some settings that are included with the product first.

Some helpful tips that will save you a lot of headaches when you start playing with the integration of the two:

• Use the CS4 versions of After Effects and Flash; otherwise the XFL file is not available in older versions
• Export your After Effects compositions as XFL
• Open the XFL as you would an FLV – importing into a movie doesn’t work unless the file has been opened and saved as a movie clip that can be imported into any movie library
• Select the codec “on6 vp6” – DO NOT USE THE DEFAULT – SPARKS! Sparks has significantly lower performance (don’t buy a third-party compressor unless you’re not satisfied after working through the settings)
• Do not export audio if you are not using it in your AE file; in fact, I recommend putting the audio in your Flash file
• Get creative – you can create amazing animations and effects in After Effects and make them interactive and user-friendly with Flash. When I design in AE many times, I often plan components and Flash integration
• Get the trial version: Adobe has a trial version for every product it markets. Get a 30-day head start on your new skill! In fact, once the trial version ends, you should probably update your suite, as CS4 (assuming you already have some Flash / Adobe products) is really worth it!
• Get Tutorials – There are many tutorial sites like www.videocopilot.net, www.creativecow.com, and YouTube, as well as other sites based on video content, learn what After Effects can do!
• Read my articles. I don’t want to be selfish, however I intend to continue developing the world of Flash and AE into the world of CS4 and would like to save others a great deal of time and headache.

Remember to have fun and time your time as you improve – price your new skill as I doubt your competition is doing it and the concept is still fairly new.