Javascript or flash for animation?

by skyvia

Posted: 12 years ago 35 replies

WEB DESIGN

Hi everyone,

I am trying to improve the animation of an ad on our web site. Currently it uses very simple javascript. However, I have seen easing performed with javascript on various web sites, and until now, I only thought you could do those types of techniques with flash. I was wondering what other cool tricks can be achieved with js?

Also, which do you think is the better method for web ads: transparent swfs or javascript? sources to good tutorials?

My goal is for something simple and professional, nothing too crazy.

Thanks in advance for the help.

#animation #flash #javascript

Jahnold 12 years ago

You can do loads of different animation effects really easily using the jQuery UI. It can be found over at jQuery UI - Home

I'd recommend using js over flash as you get the benefit of search engine spiders being able to read the alt tags in your images for extra SEO credit whereas they just ignore flash.
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- joe12joe 12 years ago
  
  Same here, it is highly recommended to not use flash as flash and images are not read by Google crawlers. Therefore, it become useless as far as the SEO friendly website is concern. You may create lots of cool animations with Javascript as its more closer to HTML and search engine can easily read in HTML.
  
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  inform 12 years ago
  
  Its very good move to make your website more attractive and informative through web animation and flash files.
  this technique is very useful foe those who want to make their website more powerful in a less contains.
  
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rajnish357 12 years ago

I think you should use javascript instead of flash because flash can make ur site slow
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stealthpromo

12 years ago

Flash is way more desirable than javascript for animation, period. Who wants to wait for an applet to load up? If its simple stuff you're after css can do the trick as well.

Thanks
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Victor

12 years ago

Originally Posted by stealthpromo

Flash is way more desirable than javascript for animation, period. Who wants to wait for an applet to load up? If its simple stuff you're after css can do the trick as well.

I second this. Don't believe all the false statements about Flash and SEO. The search engines have gotten really good at reading Flash.

Thanks

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jminkler

12 years ago

Originally Posted by stealthpromo

Flash is way more desirable than javascript for animation, period. Who wants to wait for an applet to load up? If its simple stuff you're after css can do the trick as well.

Which? huh?

Thanks

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msu 11 years ago

Flash will be around for a while yet but it's definitely on its way out. For that reason along it makes sense to animate with javascript.

Better yet, use a javascript library like jQuery where an awful lot of the heavy lifting has been done for you.

@stealthpromo - there's no applet to load with javascript, you're thinking of java.
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iuditg 12 years ago

Using javascript is advisable for SEO purpose
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- staciejortega 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by iuditg
  
  Using javascript is advisable for SEO purpose
  
  yes its true
  
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promo_guy 12 years ago

Haven't tried this personally but the tutorial seems pretty easy to follow. Not sure if it's what you're after but thought I'd mention it

Custom Animation Banner with jQuery | Codrops

Demo: Custom Animation Banner with jQuery
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Revenant45 12 years ago

First let me say that its hard to do better than Flash animation for websites. For those nice header slideshows to animated menu's.. there's simply a lot more you can do in Flash. I've been designing with Flash since its Macromedia days.

Javascript with JQuery can do simple transitions and easing techniques.. even slideshows. Depending on the level of the animation effect, and where you want to introduce it in your website, is the deciding factor for me if I want to use Flash or Javascript.

For very simple in-page easing such as fading something in and and out, or a glowing tab on hover, its quicker to use Javascript.

Javascript is also more "mobile device friendly". Devices such as iPads and iPods don't do Flash at all unless hacked. On the other hand, they don't do Javascript very well either but at least its supported natively.

However, I don't design websites for %100 mobile compatibility unless asked... it severely cripples what you can do as a designer and programmer.

With that said, in order to become a more well-rounded programmer/designer, it would be in one's best interest to know both. ActionScript for Flash is very similar to Javascript... basically event listeners, arrays and functions.
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Bob Phantom 12 years ago

I wouldn't recomend flash at all!! either javascript or Jquery
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jminkler 12 years ago

JavaScript and Canvas, check out Raphael

Raphaël?JavaScript Library
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yourmobisite 12 years ago

Hello..

I would recommend you java script because flash content might effect on web site loading speed..
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- genius007 12 years ago
  
  JavaScript is much better than Flash because Search engines can't read flash.
  
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godwinsam

12 years ago

Hi,

This script is for animating the menus

unction init() {

if(document.getElementById && document.createTextNode) {
var menu = document.getElementById('menu');
var anchors = menu.getElementsByTagName('a');
for(var i=0, length=anchors.length;i<length;i++) {
anchors[i].onmouseover= function() {
var spot = -1;
this.setAttribute('spot', spot);
this.style.backgroundPosition= '15px 0px';
}
anchors[i].onmouseout= function() {
var spot = 15;
this.setAttribute('spot', spot);
}
}
animate();
}
}

function animate() {
var menu = document.getElementById('menu');
var anchors = menu.getElementsByTagName('a');
for(var i=0, length=anchors.length;i<length;i++) {
var spot = anchors[i].getAttribute('spot');
if (spot>0) {
spot = spot - 2;
if(spot<0) spot = 0;
anchors[i].style.backgroundPosition= spot+'px 0px';
anchors[i].setAttribute('spot', spot);
}
}

setTimeout(animate, 4);
}

Thanks
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edyculay 12 years ago

Flash animation offers a very complex!
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- kl2000 11 years ago
  
  Both Flash and jQuery have a learning curve. I would go with whichever one I felt most comfortable with. If you're wanting to make a more complex animation for your ad - use flash. For more subtle fades and transitions then use jQuery. Google indexes flash now - they created an algorithm back in 2008 that can read text within swf files. My 2 cents - Use Flash. You can put together a slick timeline animation fast. Hey 2 cents isn't worth much today though, right?
  
  Thanks
  
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shantanu 11 years ago

USe flash animations instead of javascript coz flash animations are uitecool and clean and safe too, u didnt go through malicious codes of javascript sometime which never works and stop other codes fom their fucntionality too.
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- johnnydepp 11 years ago
  
  best and cool animations with js... b'coz it is more closer to HTML and search engine can easily read in HTML.
  
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megaquests 11 years ago

id love to carry on developing in flash with actionscript.. it can do some very cool stuff that ive not seen matched with any other method especially using databases to drive the animation.. but it doesn't look like a bright future for flash thanks to apple... what are other actionscript animators planning to do ?
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herrald 11 years ago

i think that more pro if we use JS,
also Flash will make our site to slow
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WittyKris 11 years ago

Flash is no good for SEO. Better use jQuery JS scripts for your animations as well as for your menus and sliders.
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- megaquests 11 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by WittyKris
  
  Flash is no good for SEO. Better use jQuery JS scripts for your animations as well as for your menus and sliders.
  
  agree.. i want to develop a database driven dynamic animation that can embed in any webpage.. seo is therefore not an issue..
  
  Thanks
  
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hiqasim 11 years ago

In my opinion it is very good to make your website more attractive and informative through web animation and flash files.

however JavaScript is much better than Flash because Search engines can't read flash.
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AleinaKoch 11 years ago

There are a lot of JScript platforms to choose from but I prefer jQuery also. Stable and Reliable. You can search Google for free scripts and plugins for your website's animation module.
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YouJelly 11 years ago

try to avoid flash, as u seen lately theres been a huge decrease in flash websites due to them being NOT search engine friendly!
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Anna7 11 years ago

I think that you should use JavaScript. It is easier to use, for me anyway, and Mac products don't support Flash.
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0oo0 11 years ago

Anyone that knows anything about current web development would tell you to use HTML5/JS or a library.

Flash is obsolete unless it's VERY specific or major a video content site.

Anyone suggesting flash must be reading blogs from 05'
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hoffman 11 years ago

Flash file be more attractive and informative. You can use different animation effect by using jQuery UI
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pinterest01 11 years ago

i'd prefered flash animation, since java consume ur visitor cpu process.
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katepeter 11 years ago

Flash animation file give more creativity to your web site it attract people towards your company ..!! but flash files make your web site more heavy ..!!
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Nouddytropy

Banned 10 years ago

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1byte

10 years ago

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Your spam posts have been reported. Please await banishment!

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hiqasim 9 years ago

I prefer Javascript because flash is dying these days. Google Apple have already ditched flash for HTML5
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Javascript or flash for animation?

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