Learn Flash MX or get insta-ready with Swishmax?

[Zerobde]

I have a question to ask those of you who use both Flash MX and Swishmax. Do users of Flash MX feel cheated when applications like Swish and Swishmax come out that kinda skips a lot of the learning process? Users of Swishmax/Swish, do you feel you're missing something when using your product? I realize there's a large price difference and not everyone can afford to learn flash using Flash MX, but can you learn to utilize flash with Swishmaz/swish like you can with Flash MX?

I'm just curious because I have a friend that has Flash MX, but prefers to use Swish because he says it's easier and doesn't want to really learn how to do anything in Flash MX. I feel he's cutting himself short by skipping on the learning experience that Flash MX offers. You don't know how many times I said forget Photoshop because I thought it was complicated to use... But little by little, I learned how to use Photoshop and I don't regret it.

Anyone have any opinions?

[lukasz]

I started with swish. It was easy and worked well for some times. And then I needed to do sound streaming - And I couldnt make it in Swish. So I had to learn FlashMX quickly. Althought it was a pain it was worth as it gives you much more control.

[hfguide]

As a Swish user, I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I would have felt that with the previous release of Swish (2.0), but I don't feel that way with Swish Max, because it's more *souped up* now. There are quite a few things in Flash that can now be done in Swish (like programming little games), and the things that Swish are lacking in can be worked around. For example, Swish doesn't offer streaming, but you can work around this problem by using 3rd party software that creates streaming flash files which can then be loaded into Swish-made movies.

So, yeah-- I love Swish. I don't think I'm missing out. But then again, this is because I'm not looking for a high-end, super-duper, intense program. So it's perfect for me.

BTW, I don't think picking up Swish will make you lose out in learning Flash. Ironically, because of Swishscript, you will have to learn much of Actionscript and Flash principles, anyway (layers, levels, etc...). In fact, to really make good use of Swish, I think it's virtually impossible to do so without getting your hands dirty in learning some Flash principles and Actionscript.

[Zerobde]

Thanks Lukasz and Hfguide for replying to my topic. My wife gave birth to our first son on Saturday morning, so I wasn't anywhere near a computer until now. Hfguide, you make a valid point about not needing Flash Mx, especially if you're going to be doing minor things. My friend only makes fading and moving text 80% of the time. Now that you can actionscript, I bet it makes the application all the more better. I'll have to check it out.