Scaleform GFx

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Scaleform GFx
Original author(s) Scaleform Corporation
Developer(s) Autodesk
Stable release
4.6.34
Written inC++. C++ API provided, [1] C# API available in Unity Plugin; [2] ActionScript virtual machine included
Platform Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, as well as Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, [3] PlayStation 4, PS Vita, [1] 3DS, [1] Wii, [1] Wii U, [4] Windows Phone, [5] iOS, [1] and Android [1]
Type Game middleware
Game development tool
License Proprietary
Website www.autodesk.com/products/scaleform/overview

Scaleform GFx is a discontinued game development middleware package, a vector graphics rendering engine used to display Adobe Flash-based user interfaces and HUDs for video games. [6] In March 2011, Autodesk acquired Scaleform Corporation [7] and Scaleform GFx became part of the Autodesk Gameware line of middleware. On July 12, 2018, Autodesk discontinued Scaleform GFx, and it is no longer available for purchase. [8]

Contents

Authors created user interfaces using Adobe Flash authoring tools, such as Adobe Animate (formerly Adobe Flash Professional); the resulting SWF files were used directly by the GFx libraries, providing similar functionality to the Adobe Flash Player but optimized for use within game engines.

Scaleform GFx supported all major platforms, including game consoles, mobile and PC operating systems. [1] Scaleform provides APIs for direct communication between Flash content and the game engine, and pre-built integrations for popular engines such as Unity, Unreal Engine, and CryENGINE. [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] Scaleform GFx could also be licensed for use as a standalone Flash runtime system on mobile platforms, [15] [16] competing with Adobe AIR.

Features

Scaleform GFx contains several core systems, including:

Additional components

In addition to the engine, documentation, and samples, the Scaleform GFx SDK includes several additional components:

Scaleform 3Di
ActionScript 2 extensions allowing for three-dimensional location and rotation of Flash elements. Scaleform 4 includes support for ActionScript 3's built-in 3D capabilities, making 3Di unnecessary. [20] [21]
Scaleform CLIK
Common Lightweight Interface Kit - easily customizable Flash UI component framework, including buttons, list boxes, drop down menus, sliders, trees and windows, created in collaboration with gskinner.com. These components are intended to be lightweight, while providing for bi-directional communication with the engine and other considerations for game development. [22]
Scaleform UI Kits
Prebuilt customizable examples including sample C++ engine and ActionScript code, as well as corresponding Flash content. These currently include an MMO UI, FPS HUD, and frontend menu kit.
Scaleform AMP
Analyzer for Memory and Performance - profiler tool used to analyze memory and performance of Flash content inside a game or 3D application while running on PC, console or mobiles. AMP is similar in purpose and design to Adobe Scout. AMP gives detailed stats for CPU usage, rendering, and memory, and includes a complete ActionScript profiler with function and per-line timing.

Separately-licensed add-ons

Scaleform also provided two optional add-ons for GFx:

Scaleform Video
Fully integrated video codec for Flash Video workflow support (currently powered by CRI Movie.)
Scaleform 3Di
Fully integrated Input Method Editor (IME) for Asian chat support.

Technology partners

Game engines

Other middleware

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Scaleform - Usage - Platforms". Autodesk . Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  2. ↑ http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/faqs
  3. ↑ Brandon Boyer (2007-04-19). "Scaleform GFx Comes to PSP, PS3". Gamasutra . Retrieved 2008-07-21.
  4. ↑ "Autodesk Enters License Agreement with Nintendo - News".
  5. ↑ "A wealth of tools support for Windows Phone 8". MCV. 31 October 2012.
  6. ↑ "Games Central: "Masthead Licenses Scaleform for Earthrise"". Archived from the original on 2011-07-11.
  7. ↑ "Autodesk & Scaleform". Autodesk. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  8. ↑ Autodesk Scaleform GFx Middleware Overview
  9. ↑ Unreal Development Kit Game Design Cookbook, Packt Publishing Ltd, 22-Feb-2012
  10. ↑ UDK Game Development, Cengage Learning, 2012
  11. ↑ Beginning iOS 3D Unreal Games Development, Apress, 04-Apr-2012
  12. ↑ CryENGINE Game Programming with C++, C#, and Lua, Packt Publishing Ltd, 22-Nov-2013
  13. ↑ Game Coding Complete,
  14. ↑ Cryengine 3 Game Development: Beginner's Guide, Packt Publishing Ltd, 21-Sep-2012
  15. ↑ "How to quickly convert flash games into mobile apps".
  16. ↑ http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/advantage
  17. ↑ Kris Graft. "Scaleform GFx 4 Supports Flash 10 AS3". Gamasutra . Retrieved 2010-10-01.
  18. ↑ Scaleform 4.2 Extensions, Autodesk
  19. ↑ http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/features/audio
  20. ↑ Kris Graft. "New Scaleform Supports 3D Menus". Gamasutra . Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  21. ↑ http://gameware.autodesk.com/documents/sf_4.2_3Di.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  22. ↑ http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/tools
  23. ↑ "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive".
  24. ↑ "Unreal Engine in major Scaleform UI deal". Develop . Retrieved 2010-05-15.
  25. ↑ "Scaleform to be free for UDK". MCV. Develop. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-15.
  26. ↑ "CryEngine 2 Uses Scaleform GFx". GameSpot . Retrieved 2008-07-21.
  27. ↑ "Emergent Fully Integrates Scaleform and SpeedTree in Gamebryo Under Company's Growing Partner Program". Reuters. 2008-02-05. Archived from the original on 2012-11-13. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
  28. ↑ Will Freeman (2009-03-21). "Key middleware providers pledge support for Gamebryo LightSpeed". MCV. Develop . Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  29. ↑ Chris Remo (2009-03-12). "Scaleform announces CRI video codec partnership". Gamasutra . Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  30. ↑ "Scaleform and GameSpy Launch Comprehensive In-Game Lobby Solution". IGN. 2008-02-13. Archived from the original on February 20, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
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