A Flash animation file (FLA) and a Flash animation file (Swf) exist. Although FLA and SWF files are interconnected, their features and applications are astoundingly different. The key distinctions between files are in editing capabilities, authenticity, and file opening capabilities, for example. FLA and SWF are two of the most popular flash-based web applications. There are two ways to use it.
FLA Vs. SWF
FLA files are a type of flash file that include additional features such as images, sounds, animation, and other elements that are necessary to make a flash file. SWF, on the other hand, is a completed file type that is ready for a file’s completion notice.
In order to be used as a flash file, FLA files include many characteristics such as animations, graphics, audio, and so on. Users of Adobe’s software seem to like these sorts of FLA files. In the beginning, this sort of file was created by the Macromedia applications. However, the Adobe system now owns this format.
SWF, on the other hand, is a form of file that is designed to notify the user when a file has finished playing. In addition to Macromedia and now Adobe, it is the expanded form of the Shockwave Flash File. To see the SWF file in its entirety, you’ll need a FLA player. It’s important to note that the SWF is a more recent and enhanced version of the FLA format.
What is FLA?
Images, music, animation, and graphics are all stored in FLA files, which are then converted to SWF files. FLA was originally owned by Macromedia, but is now owned by Adobe. Macromedia Flash Source File Extension (FLA) is a shorthand for FLA files, which are the files themselves. These FLA files are used by various projects created for the animation.
The FLA files can not be unlocked in a flash player, it requires other Adobe Flash Professional, which is updated and further proceed with the process. Other commonly used players that FLA files are supported are Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Flash, etc. The FLA files can be termed as unprocessed or unfinished files, as it is not considered as the final file that can be uploaded.
The FLA files can store a larger amount of data, and further, it can be edited, or in other words, changes can be made. These files are edited and later set as an SWF file. These FLA files are saved as SWF file so that later it could be directly uploaded. Also, for Flash applications, the FLA files carry some kind of source material for use.
What is SWF?
SWF is a file type that is easy and ready to be uploaded on the web. It is in fact, the result or the edited version of FLA files, which stores the data that can be directly uploaded on the web. The SWF files were first produced by the Future Wave Software, and later on, it was passed to the Macromedia and then To the Adobe system. Also, these files carry videos and some vector-based animations that are designed in a manner that can be directly uploaded on the web.
The SWF stands for the full form of Small Web Format. It is in a format of final or ready to be published on the web. The editing work and the required changes are completely done in the FLA file since the SWF file does have the capability of editing its data in itself. The SWF files require other players to play videos such as the VLC player or the Flash Player, which comes with the feature of converting and editing the files.
The SWF files carry a lesser amount of data as compared to the FLA files, as the SWF is considered the final file that is uploaded on the web. All the editing work is finished in the FLA files, therefore the SWF does not carry the feature of editing in it.
Difference Between FLA and SWF
- FLA is a type of flash file that includes some kinds of stuff like images, music, etc. On the other hand, SWF is a type of flash file that is all set to be published on the web.
- The FLA file is the short form of Macromedia Flash Source File Extension. On the other hand, the SWF file is the short form of Small Web Format.
- The FLA file is in the format of making changes or can be edited again and again. On the other hand, SWF is in the format of final and ready to be published on the web.
- The FLA file cannot be open on a flash player. On the other hand, The SWF file uses a flash player to open.
- FLA is an unprocessed or unfinished file. On the other hand, SWF is ready to publish and finished the file.
- The FLA files can be edited. On the other hand, The SWF files can not be edited. It is the finished outcome.
- The FLA file holds more data. On the other hand, The SWF file holds a comparatively lesser amount of data.
Conclusion
FLA and SWF are kinds of Flash files, which are used to store data. There are distinct differences and features amongst both the files. The SWF file is the extension of the FLA file. Where the FLA file is the file that is not ready to be uploaded on the web but, on the other hand, the SWF file is the file that is ready to be uploaded and therefore it can’t be edited.
Whatever changes have to be made is done in the FLA file, since it can be edited and further it is transformed into the SWF file. Both the files are presently owned by the Adobe system.