A Detailed Flash (Swf) To HTML5 Conversion Analysis — Tools, Services And More

PubGen
6 min readMay 8, 2017

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Flash media is the prime support tools which are bringing all the media on the web to matter the most. Of course, you may have seen the notifications which ask you for permissions for running these content. Yes, media content is what we are drafting our discussion about. The factor in play is Flash.

But the direct question that you may have at this point is — what is Flash? Adobe Flash Adobe Flash (formerly Macromedia Flash) is a multimedia platform originally acquired by Macromedia and currently developed and distributed by Adobe Systems.

Why Is Flash A Big Deal For Every Web Service?

Flash which comes across with an extension of SWF, is a primary component of web experience in the recent past. Of course, this means the format in question, SWF Flash needs to be device, browser, and operating system independent. Now there are hardly any devices out in the market, which does not support this format.

All versions of Flash till this date has all been available for free. Adobe Flash is commonly used to create and load up, Interactive Website, create advertisements, Audio and Video Streaming, Develop Rich Internet Applications, Company Presentation, and 2D or 3D Games.

Adobe uses Flash Action Script to bring the best input scripting design for the several software products, systems, and devices can create or display Flash content, including Adobe Flash Player.

When Flash Is Here, Why Do We Need HTML5 At All

Although, Adobe over the years has forwarded support to almost all the major browsers and platforms. However, in the recent past, browser systems, majorly Chrome are looking to build a format which finally goes out of the control of Adobe. While we are on the discussion, HTML5 is a universal format for cross-browser, cross-platform free source media platform.

HTML5 is coming to age with a web interactivity across different platforms, and operating systems without any different specification required. As per the test of platforms conducted on Windows platform, the performance of HTML5 as compared to Flash is 17% rise in current draw (and a corresponding reduction in battery life) on the laptop and a 12% rise on the tablet.

How To Convert Flash To HTML5?

Flash To HTML5 Conversion

When we list out the benefits and speed of HTML5 files as out with Flash SWF files, the next apparent question is, how do we achieve Flash to HTML5 conversion. For most of the coders and programmers, the basic free tool that is available for free is Google Swiffy.

Google Swiffy can convert Flash on the fly right in your browser, and the conversion process is very fast — results often appear within seconds. However, on the downside, you can see that sometimes the ActionScript2 and 3, which offers more functionality, fails on this platform.

Now that Google Swiffy is becoming more and more redundant let’s look at how we can use other tools for the same effect.

Best Tools For Flash To HTML5 Conversion

Articulate Storyline

The list starts with Articulate Story-line which is one of the best rapid authoring tools that is highly applicable for eLearning courses to HTML5 easily. The tools usually help the publishers access and convert the articles from within their choice of devices like laptop, PC, iPad, or any other mobile device. Articulate Story-line provides various built-in templates and inter-activities.

You can also create your templates and inter-activities for your e-learning courses. Other additional things that the tool provides you with are- slide layers, triggers, variable, quizzes, and more.

Adobe Captivate Flash Conversion Tool

Adobe Captivate was introduced as a tool to develop software training simulations. Presently, it is emerging as one of the best tools for HTML5 conversions. It also provides built-in inter-activities and templates, but customising them is not as simple as with Story-line. Captivate also provides features such as the Twitter widget, Tin Can API support, and helps embed YouTube videos. Such features make Adobe Captivate an ideal tool for converting Flash-based e-learning courses to HTML5.

  1. Adobe Captivate Draft, which is primarily useful for saving storyboard ideas to fully interactive online eLearning course.
  2. Device specific delivery which works according to the device adaptability. It allows you to make one master course which you adapt to various devices and platforms.
  3. With over 25000 store assets which help eCourse learning that makes interactive session come alive much more.
  4. Multimedia insertion which allows impressive selection of multimedia tools, ranging from HD screen capture and screencasting to audio synchronisation and scenario branching.
  5. Adobe Captivate 9 also brings Branch Aware facilities to system quizzes, bringing complete the recommended module, the system then quizzes them again to monitor their progress.
  6. Geo Location gives you the ability to locate users and clients across the globe, and bring location based modules. Also, you can adjust the software to reflect the local customs, currency and language as well, depending on the Geo Location.
  7. Pricing is also one thing that may be favourable for you to use Adobe Captivate Flash conversion tool.

Lectora Inspire Conversion Suite

Critics hail Lectora Inspire to be the fastest conversion tool out in the market. It is the first rapid conversion tool for HTML5 which delivers on its experience and promise. It also provides a built-in table of content, click-on-tabs, and more. Lectora Inspire helps you publish your e-learning content to HTML5, AICC, and SCORM so that your learners can access the e-learning courses on desktops, iPads, or any other mobile devices.

iSpring Conversion Tools

iSpring is a different tool compared to the other tools which we saw above. Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, and Lectora Inspire help you develop HTML5 compatible e-learning courses. In simple words, makers publish PowerPoint presentations to HTML5 using iSpring to create professional mobile-ready presentations. Also, the tool provides similar output in the HTML5 version as well.

What Can Go Wrong While Conversion Of Flash To HTML5?

  1. The biggest problems which arise while conversion of Flash to HTML5 with the above-said tools is that, they lack support for newer legacy changes.
  2. Most of these tools fail to provide Flash SWF to HTML5 conversion which is truly capable of reading. Hence, a profession conversion service provider is the need of the hour in bringing every element to the mobile platform.
  3. Although HTML5 by default is a cross-platform cross-operating system, sometimes client based legacy elements may not allow you to bring to Play Store or iTunes.
  4. Converting HTML5 still, has some limitations. HTML5 has largely replaced Flash for online videos, advertising, and animations, but still, has some performance limitations when it comes to more complex applications.

Best Solution For How To Convert SWF To HTML5

Now that we have an idea about all things related to SWF Flash and HTML5, we can safely say that the worldwide web is slowly moving to HTML5. However, the cons closely follow pros when we take up the free tools and go for an unprofessional way of doing it. However, the errors and lost conversions, are a thing of the past. You just must pick a professional conversion services company and your work in in safe hands. We are someone exactly who you are looking for. We bring our innovative and proprietary tools and global publishing experience to you. In turn, We will convert your Flash media files to HTML5 to bring out the best in the web for your use. Get in touch with us right now and let’s start doing great stuff from as early as tomorrow.

Originally published at www.print2eforms.com on May 8, 2017.

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