Multidmedia Limited (MDM)

The 3.0.7 update is available to download for Registered and Non-Registered Users. Read the Release Notes and Fixes Here.

Adobe AIR was officially released earlier this year. Often referred to as a direct competitor to Zinc, MDM have always maintained that both Zinc and Adobe AIR can work hand-in-hand for different types of desktop applications based on the Flash Platform. MDM also published an article to this effect last year whilst AIR (then called “Apollo”) was still in Beta.

We believe Zinc 3.0 is the definitive choice for building real Desktop Applications with Flash and Flex, but we’re also aware that for certain projects, Adobe AIR is also a viable option. Following the release of Zinc 3.0 in January 2008, we’ve been working hard on developing new ways to extend the comprehensive {mdm}Script 3.0 API to all facets of Flash Application Development… even as part of Adobe AIR

We’re just a few weeks away from releasing the first beta of a new Development Tool which will introduce the functionality and expandability of Zinc 3.0 to developers who really need to use Adobe AIR for their Desktop Application Projects. (You know who you are ). Along with benefits of an enriched API, the new tool will also bring about a few welcome surprises.

Look out for an official press release, and public beta, in early July

The 3.0.6update is available to download for Registered and Non-Registered Users. Read the Release Notes and Fixes Here.

Adobe are working hard on the Crown Jewel of their Software lineup and have recently announced the prerelease download of Flash Player 10, codenamed “Astro”. From the Adobe Website:

“Adobe® Flash® Player 10, code-named “Astro,” introduces new expressive features and visual performance improvements that allow interactive designers and developers to build the richest and most immersive Web experiences.  These new capabilities also empower the community to extend Flash Player and to take creativity and interactivity to a new level.”

We’ve gotten used to recent Flash Player Updates focusing on implimenting and improving the coding capabilities of Flash and generally improving the speed and playback of Flash Content… but the new Key Features of “Astro” really do seem to show how far the Flash Player has come and it’s new “Grown Up” Persona.

• 3D Effects
• Custom Filters and Effects
• Advanced Text Layout
• Enhanced Drawing API
• Hardware Acceleration (Thank you!)

For a full Feature List and videos on the New Features, check out the Adobe Flash Player 10 Beta Page.

Oh, and MDM,  of course, will be looking to update Zinc with the new Flash Player once it becomes available for general and final release.

Fresh new update available to download for Registered and Non-Registered Users

This Build fixes the notorious “XML Stripping” bug which was previously marked as a high priorty. Click Here for Details.

Read the Release Notes and Fixes Here.

Fresh new update available to download for Registered and Non-Registered Users

Read the Release Notes and Fixes Here.

Update 3.0.3 is now available for download (Windows, Mac OSX and Linux). Registered Users can log into MyAccount and Trial Users can re-download Zinc 3.0 Builder Here.

Release Notes for Zinc 3.0.3 can be found Here.

We’ve just released an Update to Zinc 3.0 Builder and Plug-Inswhich continues to resolve the initial teething issues that have been reported.

A Special note should go to the users who reported a speed/frame-rate issue with Zinc 3.0 which was investigated and later remedied. Thanks to everyone who helped pin that issue down, but you’ll be glad to know that the 3.0.2 Projectors now run at the same speed as the native Web Flash Player (Please note that Trial projectors built with 3.0.2 will still run slightly slower due to the embedded watermark)

Release Notes for Zinc 3.0.2 can be found Here.

MDM has released its first update to Zinc 3.0 to address initial Minor Issues.

This update includes a few bug and stability fixes. You can read about them on the all new Release Notes page (snazzy, eh?).

One thing to note about this update is that you will have to rebuid your Zinc project files for the new Zinc Builder.

We’re hard at work on the new version which you can expect in the next couple of weeks.

For now registered users can download the update by logging in.

Click here for Zinc Builder.

One thing that we really wanted to get a handle on with 3.0 was the Bug Management.

Any software ever written will have bugs and quirks but the management of those issues (and ofcourse the prompt resolution) is key in ensuring the Software doesn’t suffer.

With 3.0, we introduced our new Bug Management System which is constantly being tinkered and tweaked in the background (pretty soon, Registered Users should be able to add comments and feedback on Bug Fixes) to ensure we’re able to quickly verify real bugs (”I don’t like the Icon for the Build Button” is not a bug, people ;) ), and then provide updates on their status and indeed a Fix where possible.

Zinc 3.0 Was released just a little over 2 weeks ago and the initial wave of teething problems have come through and are listed in the Bug Management System. We’ve been addressing these issues the past week and will continue to do so into next week with a view to provide an update before the month is out.