SWF is a file type linked to Flash software by Adobe Systems Incorporated. Besides, it is a format developed by FutureWave Software that is used to create small animation files for entertainment.
What is SWF File / Extension / Format?
The main goal of creating this format is to ensure everyone can use it on any computer, even if their Internet is slow. We achieve this by using a player that works right in the web browser.
The company that made this format created the first software to make or change SWF files. They named it FutureSplash Animator and released it in 1996. Acquired by the Adobe company, Macromedia bought FutureWave, which produced this format, in 1996.
In the beginning, users knew Adobe Flash Player as Shockwave Flash. Mainly, it was a famous program people used to make fancy multimedia. At that time, most web browsers had it installed and running on them.
With many programs and browser plug-ins compatible with these files, users needn’t worry. Additionally, these files integrate with small website buttons. Instead, they could create fun interactive stuff for people who visited their websites. Over time, people desired additional add-ons or programs to enhance their utilization of these files.
Specifically, a particular version of this format called SWFL was trendy on Apple Mac computers.
ShockWave Flash Features
These files displayed objects and vector images in a straightforward sequence. But, newer versions introduced various interactive audio, video, and end-user engagement elements.
You must install special software on your PC to watch a file on web browsers like Chrome, Opera, or Firefox. It allows them to run the file and enjoy its contents.
Encapsulating a document enables active operation on the web, allowing it to run using the player. When a user sees a web page, this file can play.
Adobe made special plug-ins called Flash Player and Adobe Integrated Runtime. These plug-ins help play SWF documents on different operating systems like Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Users can compile these files from raw data, making them viewable on the web with Flash Player.
How to Convert an SWF File?
Free online tools convert these files to video formats (MP4, MOV, HTML5, AVI). Additionally, they convert it to MP3 and transform types to JPG or PNG.
Dedicated websites specialize in format conversion, making the process seamless and hassle-free. Animate, a developed software by Adobe, can convert SWF files into EXE format.
Users can execute the file on their computer without needing a third-party player. Viewing SWF content is convenient without having to take more steps or use software.
How to Edit a ShockWave Flash File?
Compiling an SWF from the FLA is necessary to generate the animation file. Therefore, utilizing the FLA to edit it yields the best possible result.
FLA documents are a container for essential binary data and assets in Flash applications. The application generates the SWF as the final output upon compilation.