Macromedia made a very conscious decision a few generations back with the release of Flash 5 to focus the future of the software towards a more functional coding direction with what has now become the powerful ActionScript language. At the time, the decision threw the predominantly design-centred userbase into a panic, as many were anticipating the introduction of 3D tools. With that, ActionScript was greeted with some mixed reactions.

Not that eRain was complaining. Swift 3D, its Flash 3D package, was still in its infancy, but a growing userbase was keen to add depth to the flat vector world of Flash output. The software has seen some dramatic improvements over the last few years and the latest half-generational release has been long overdue.

A new feature that extends the capabilities of the software is the extension into Flash Video FLV in addition to new found support of AVI and QuickTime raster formats. Although Swift 3D is natively a vector application, the support of such features means work can now be exported to all manner of motion graphic applications, while level three support for EPS and enhanced SVG output provides extra options for print.

For those with more creative tendencies, the vector-rendering options of the software have also been greatly boosted. Graphic tablet users will find that Pen Style Outlines allow a more hand-finished appearance away from uniform vector strokes. Shadow Density and Colour Controls provide a dramatic improvement with how you can make your images emerge from the screen.

Vector transparency was already available, although improvements here are more intelligent, as outlines enable you to merge such objects without losing track of where one object begins and another finishes. More outlines become available at intersections when outline styles are chosen, so you can be sure of more precise alignment of objects both relatively and in terms of the entire 3D space. Time-saving improvements, such as the ability to save and load render styles while using the improved RAViX 4 engine, are also handy.

The new version sees the introduction of several new features that make the package an even more powerful 3D tool for use when creating Flash 3D content. And although it will never be as powerful as the more dedicated offerings from the likes of Alias, the price and native Flash export options make Swift 3D an essential piece of any Flash designer’s toolkit.