The transition between images in a slideshow creates the nice pleasing dynamic effect. Maths lies at the heart of these effects. If you are as old as I am and have driven as much as I have, you will immediately notice the similarity between the transition effect in the slideshow we present below and the billboards you often see as you drive through the many highways. The rotating slices that retire the old advertisement on the billboard and herald the new ones create an urgency to ‘see’ what is coming next before the car goes too ahead and it is too late.
We present a preview here of the Flex slideshow with the Billboard effect where you do not need to worry about missing the next ‘scene’. It works with Flex 3 and Flash Builder 4. A full live preview of this nice Flex Component can be found here.
Dynamic and innovative UI components in Flex do not have to depend on a timeline (read Flash) for playing those effects. A pure Actionscript component that uses the effects and easing classes can produce the same lively and interactive look and feel that Flash components so ably provide.
Take for example this Flex Image Accordion component. Take an image, add it to the component, define an easing function and some alternate text, configure the slices and angle and you have a more dynamic image which when clicked rolls up in the shape of a window blind. The bounce easing function even adds a touch of realism to the component with a gravity-like bounce.
Since this is an Actionscript component, it will work with Flash Builder 4 as well as with Flex 3 (SDK 3.4 or better required) and Flash player 10. A more detailed live preview of this component can be found by clicking here.
For now, just click on the image of the rose in the embedded swf below to taste this effect.
When it comes to dynamic effects involving time and motion Flash leads Flex. The gap is however closing especially with the new Flashplayer 10 and the new Flex 4 release. For example, take a look at this Dynamic 3D Cylindrical Image Gallery that works from Flex 3 and Flex 4 (Flex 3 usage required Flashplayer 10). The gallery is extremely customizable with options like
Auto Rotate
Rotation speed
Mouse over captions
XML config for thumbs and full size images
And it is all pure Actionscript so it can be used from Flex or Flash. The power of Actionscript components is there extreme reuse in both worlds. Freeing these components from the Flash timeline opens the door to Flex usage.
There are many uses of such 3D Flex Galleries like creating mesmerizing portfolio displays, product visualization images, Slideshows and Galleries. The dynamic and interactive nature of these components and the pleasing effects also make them very popular as a fashion statement for your website.
This Photo Gallery component will work with Flex 4 and Flex 3.4+ versions. It requires Flashplayer 10. You can check out a live preview of the Flex 3D Cylindrical Photo Gallery component here.
