Macromedia has let loose a beta version of Flash 3.0. The full Flash 3.0 will be due in May and sell for $300. Upgrades will be offered for $99. Along with Flash 3.0, Macromedia today has unveiled the Macromedia Flash Generator which is a server-based application for real-time graphic and animated eneration. The Flash Generator will be used to open the Flash file format as an industry standard.

Enhancements for Flash 3.0 are a new Shape Morphing feature that will morph graphics over several frames without drawing each incremental frame. Other features include alpha channel transparency for vector and bit-map graphics and sprite animation. Also Bandwidth Profiling features will enable authors to graphically see streaming performances of their movies.

In addition Macromedia is planning to submit the Flash file format to a recognized Internet standards organization. The goal is to bring Flash to desktops everywhere.

"Web designers and publishers have to compete for consumer attention and loyalty &£45;- making the visual appeal and usability of their web sites more important than ever," said Rob Burgess, president and CEO of Macromedia, Inc. "Flash delivers rich interactivity even in today's low-bandwidth environments. The decision to make Flash available as an open standard is another major step in Macromedia's mission to add life to the web."

http://www.flash.com/

(Source: Ninfomania NewsWire)