None of the cross platform compatiblity you find in Flash. Probably nice on the Windows platform (assuming you have Windows Vista) but that’s about it…
I think everyone has different takes on this – Im not scared – I think the tools are for somewhat different purposes and targets – but in the end even if they are designed for the same thing I think competition is good. If anything I am really interested to see what they do, especially knowing the Sam Wan and Manuel Clement are working on this project at Microsoft – both those guys are very talented creative, intellligent guys, if the rest of the team is as bright, they should be able to make something really kick ass – Im looking forward to seeing what they actually end up pushing out the door. 🙂
Actually I still have a couple original copies of “Expression” when it was put out by the MetaTools folks – some of its drawing tools and metaphors were really unqique at the time back in the late 90’s – its funny that it ended up being renamed Acrylic and ending up in a larger package called Expression.
I was being (obviously) tongue-in-cheek with the post, with Sparkle having been nicknamed the latest “Flash Killer” for at least the last year. Obviously MS knows how to make successful software (though they are not immune from creating bombs either – Liquid Motion, anyone?). They also have a bit of experience in taking over markets. I’ve been confidently telling myself that Sparkle wouldn’t have a chance against Flash as it wasn’t going to be cross-platform. But I wonder how true that is, and how true it will be for how long…
Eric, Ash — To see the demos on the Microsoft site, use their browser, on Windows. (It’s a Windows Media file, and doesn’t apparently sniff for heathens.)
There are some more videos, apparently including one with Manuel Clement, up on the MS Ch9 site… links are at scoble.weblogs.com.
Tom, there was mention today of a compatibility layer for other platforms, so that some of this content can go beyond an IE/Win configuration. Hard to say yet what it will actually do, but that debating point is out there now….
Why should anyone be scared? Flash has carved out a role on the web, and it will be around for a long time.
On the bright side, Sparkle opens up the entire Windows software industry to designers. All those jedi mind tricks we learned in the Flash and Actionscript communities will blow away developers who only know how to layout forms. Point to your portfolio and say “I could do that for your Windows software”.
Sorry I haven’t posted much about Sparkle or Expression… aside from confidentiality issues, I’m very focused on planning and coordinating many features right now. I’m keeping up with all the Flash blogs as much as possible though!
Well it looks like “Sparkle” has completely RIPPED OFF Anark Studio 3 to the bone. Heck I thought it “WAS” Anark Studio in some of the screen shots it is such a rip off.
If Anark has not licensed their app to Microsoft then this is the most blatant and distasteful rape of original software I’ve seen in my lifetime.
That said, I really like what Sparkle has to offer. Why? Because I love Anark Studio 3.5 and Sparkle stole all the good things about Anark Studio and then there a ton of other features. So I will feel right at home in Sparkle after having used Anark Studio since version 1.5
I know you’re supposed to use IE for this. I was just making a really obvious jab at the fact that its not cross-browser, cross-platform compatible (yet?). So it still has a way to go before it takes much away from Flash. Personally, I’ll keep an eye on it, I might even learn it if I think it would be of benefit to me.. but Macro-me-dobe hasn’t lost a customer.
Yes. Over time, Microsoft has released an array of “decent” and easy/fun to use graphic design software.
I don’t think that they will be able to immediately compete with Adobe/Macromedia, but they have the money to bring in folks to help optimize interfaces.
Michael, when you get your hands on Sparkle, you will see some fundamental differences between Sparkle and Anark, in terms of features and workflow. I know one of the architects who worked on Anark, and he would probably concur. It would be really cool to get feedback from an Anark user though, because you guys have a unique perspective.
I know I came across very hostile and strong in that first statement. And that is because I worked directly with Anark for support. I even had them in a CD-Rom I had created for DigitalOverview.com .
After Anark Studio 3 was in beta (they had a very open beta program) I was given a PDF that was never provided with the program to help Danc and tech support kill some typos. 3.0 was released before I was done, but I read the entire (nearly 400 page) manual and corrected about three dozen mistakes. I’m assuming this was updated for 3.5, but I never looked to see if they updated the help docs.
I will definitely give Sparkle a spin. Like I said, it looks like Sparkle has everything Anark’s got and then some. Plus I also use Macromedia Director MX 2004 and have created dozens of CD-Roms with it as well. I see Sparkle’s feature set as Anark Studio 3.5 + Director MX 2004 + much more…
I’ll on board with Sparkle as soon as it is available. I’m coming from the Anark Studio / Director background and I have not used Flash as much as I have LiveMotion 2.
I do feel for the guys at Anark. I don’t see how they can compete against sparkle. I was convinced that Microsoft would never or couldn’t even launch an app that would inspire designers or compete with the likes of Anark or Director, but Sparkle looks to be that app.
If you are one of the developers I have to bow in your direction out of total respect. This thing took me by surprise. If it lives up to the features overview it’s a winner. Not a flash killer, but an anark/director killer for sure.
I’m impressed, the graphics tool is really good compared to Flash, but it shows to MM everything it has two do for the next releases of Flash, Flex and Zorn if it wants to compete on Windows and on the mobile market
Give us better graphics tools that can do accelerated 3D and that let a designer and a coder work on the same project (like Flex or Sparkle -> xml description of the UI).
no really…
… this is very Window Vista specific.
None of the cross platform compatiblity you find in Flash. Probably nice on the Windows platform (assuming you have Windows Vista) but that’s about it…
demo didn’t do anything… so much for “sparkle”…
Hey Keith,
I think everyone has different takes on this – Im not scared – I think the tools are for somewhat different purposes and targets – but in the end even if they are designed for the same thing I think competition is good. If anything I am really interested to see what they do, especially knowing the Sam Wan and Manuel Clement are working on this project at Microsoft – both those guys are very talented creative, intellligent guys, if the rest of the team is as bright, they should be able to make something really kick ass – Im looking forward to seeing what they actually end up pushing out the door. 🙂
Actually I still have a couple original copies of “Expression” when it was put out by the MetaTools folks – some of its drawing tools and metaphors were really unqique at the time back in the late 90’s – its funny that it ended up being renamed Acrylic and ending up in a larger package called Expression.
Regards,
Rob
Woo, I’m impressed! I went to the tours & demos section and theres an image that you have to click on and it doesn’t do anything 🙂
I was being (obviously) tongue-in-cheek with the post, with Sparkle having been nicknamed the latest “Flash Killer” for at least the last year. Obviously MS knows how to make successful software (though they are not immune from creating bombs either – Liquid Motion, anyone?). They also have a bit of experience in taking over markets. I’ve been confidently telling myself that Sparkle wouldn’t have a chance against Flash as it wasn’t going to be cross-platform. But I wonder how true that is, and how true it will be for how long…
Time will tell.
Eric, Ash — To see the demos on the Microsoft site, use their browser, on Windows. (It’s a Windows Media file, and doesn’t apparently sniff for heathens.)
There are some more videos, apparently including one with Manuel Clement, up on the MS Ch9 site… links are at scoble.weblogs.com.
Tom, there was mention today of a compatibility layer for other platforms, so that some of this content can go beyond an IE/Win configuration. Hard to say yet what it will actually do, but that debating point is out there now….
Why should anyone be scared? Flash has carved out a role on the web, and it will be around for a long time.
On the bright side, Sparkle opens up the entire Windows software industry to designers. All those jedi mind tricks we learned in the Flash and Actionscript communities will blow away developers who only know how to layout forms. Point to your portfolio and say “I could do that for your Windows software”.
Sorry I haven’t posted much about Sparkle or Expression… aside from confidentiality issues, I’m very focused on planning and coordinating many features right now. I’m keeping up with all the Flash blogs as much as possible though!
Hi Sam! In the long run, you’re right, no reason to be scared. Should be an interesting next couple of years though!
Well it looks like “Sparkle” has completely RIPPED OFF Anark Studio 3 to the bone. Heck I thought it “WAS” Anark Studio in some of the screen shots it is such a rip off.
If Anark has not licensed their app to Microsoft then this is the most blatant and distasteful rape of original software I’ve seen in my lifetime.
That said, I really like what Sparkle has to offer. Why? Because I love Anark Studio 3.5 and Sparkle stole all the good things about Anark Studio and then there a ton of other features. So I will feel right at home in Sparkle after having used Anark Studio since version 1.5
Michael
FinalCutOnline.com
I know you’re supposed to use IE for this. I was just making a really obvious jab at the fact that its not cross-browser, cross-platform compatible (yet?). So it still has a way to go before it takes much away from Flash. Personally, I’ll keep an eye on it, I might even learn it if I think it would be of benefit to me.. but Macro-me-dobe hasn’t lost a customer.
It is a bit scary that the advertisement for a web development tool is not cross-browser compatible.
Yes. Over time, Microsoft has released an array of “decent” and easy/fun to use graphic design software.
I don’t think that they will be able to immediately compete with Adobe/Macromedia, but they have the money to bring in folks to help optimize interfaces.
Michael, when you get your hands on Sparkle, you will see some fundamental differences between Sparkle and Anark, in terms of features and workflow. I know one of the architects who worked on Anark, and he would probably concur. It would be really cool to get feedback from an Anark user though, because you guys have a unique perspective.
BTW, I agree, Anark is totally sweet.
-Sam
Sam,
I know I came across very hostile and strong in that first statement. And that is because I worked directly with Anark for support. I even had them in a CD-Rom I had created for DigitalOverview.com .
After Anark Studio 3 was in beta (they had a very open beta program) I was given a PDF that was never provided with the program to help Danc and tech support kill some typos. 3.0 was released before I was done, but I read the entire (nearly 400 page) manual and corrected about three dozen mistakes. I’m assuming this was updated for 3.5, but I never looked to see if they updated the help docs.
I will definitely give Sparkle a spin. Like I said, it looks like Sparkle has everything Anark’s got and then some. Plus I also use Macromedia Director MX 2004 and have created dozens of CD-Roms with it as well. I see Sparkle’s feature set as Anark Studio 3.5 + Director MX 2004 + much more…
I’ll on board with Sparkle as soon as it is available. I’m coming from the Anark Studio / Director background and I have not used Flash as much as I have LiveMotion 2.
If you want or need me to tackle sparkle any sooner than the public releases, you can reach me via info@digitaloverview.com or info@finalcutonline.com .
I do feel for the guys at Anark. I don’t see how they can compete against sparkle. I was convinced that Microsoft would never or couldn’t even launch an app that would inspire designers or compete with the likes of Anark or Director, but Sparkle looks to be that app.
If you are one of the developers I have to bow in your direction out of total respect. This thing took me by surprise. If it lives up to the features overview it’s a winner. Not a flash killer, but an anark/director killer for sure.
-Michael
FinalCutOnline.com
I’m impressed, the graphics tool is really good compared to Flash, but it shows to MM everything it has two do for the next releases of Flash, Flex and Zorn if it wants to compete on Windows and on the mobile market
Give us better graphics tools that can do accelerated 3D and that let a designer and a coder work on the same project (like Flex or Sparkle -> xml description of the UI).
no chance!
Let it comes,perhaps it’s like wine, give it time. We need to see what it can do. First u need Internet Explorer!
love Flash x x x x x x x
Tomorrow I install it – just get it from the shop :)))))))))
incredibble Bitmap tool! big up to bit-101, U’re so productive, it’s art.
seeu