SWF to AVI or .MOV

Report · Jan 12, 2008

My goal is to publish training videos on a Ning site that I am designing as an extranet for freelancers working with me. I understand that I need to convert the SWF files to mov, .mpg, .avi, .3gp or .wmv for me to be able to upload to that site . I have been trying all the different trial versions of SWF conversion software programs including Sothink. When one publishes from CP there are a lot of SWF files created and I could not figure out how to convert them all into a single AVI video. I read about unchecking the borders in the skin section under projects and that would create a single SWF and I thought that might work for me, and for whatever reason it does not work I have just as many file as before. I thought I could work around that problem by using the main (largest file size) SWF in the folder and not the ones that say "fullmotion" because the entire video with sound plays without a problem on my computer, but when I drag the same file into one of the SWF to AVI converters I have been experimenting with, the file plays a limited amount of frames and then stops. I am stumped there must be a way to do this without jumping through hoops.

I don't know if that was clear? My goal is to convert my CP project's SWF file into an AVI or another acceptable format for the web and then upload it! --Thanks

Report · Sep 09, 2008

Great article. It does provide me with great insight. Thanks!

Report · Sep 09, 2008

thanks for everyones help with this

Report · Oct 14, 2008

I'm in agreement with nick5454, I'm a believer in Captivate for training videos that simply show users how to do something. So far, I haven't gotten into too much interactivity other than a Replay button.

I tried Camtasia and Captivate about 3 years ago when we were evaluating, and Captivate's quality and mouse movements were a big seller for us. It just looked so much cleaner than Camtasia's real-time mouse movements.

We've been able to post our files to our website using Flash output with an HTM file, so output has been pretty good too... until now.

My company is growing and wanting more options like output to mobile devices. I knew Captivate was incapable of that, so I hoped Flash or Premiere would allow me to accomplish my goals. I've never used Flash, so the integration is foreign to me and, as has been stated previously, other Adobe products can't effectively import SWF files or Captivate projects.

Getting back to Nick's suggestion, it's important that Adobe recognizes not only their intended use for Captivate, but how user's actually use, or want to use, the software. I like the interactivity, but I need to export to other formats sometimes. I don't want to buy Camtasia or anything else. I want Captivate to be my one-stop shop. I don't think I'm as in the minority as some think. If I am, it's probably because Adobe is stuck on *their* intent rather than mine, so they are missing that part of the market share.

If I read correctly, that may be a future enhancement, and I will jump up and down with joy when it's released. Please, understand that this is constructive criticism and not complaining. We just want Captivate to keep up with us and our needs.

Report · Oct 15, 2008

> My company is growing and wanting more options like output to mobile
> devices.
> I knew Captivate was incapable of that, so I hoped Flash or Premiere would
> allow me to accomplish my goals.

Perhaps these will help:-

http://www.adobe.com/devnet/captivate/articles/ipod.html
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/captivate/articles/mobile_captivate.html

> I've never used Flash, so the integration is
> foreign to me and, as has been stated previously, other Adobe products
> can't
> effectively import SWF files or Captivate projects.
>
> Getting back to Nick's suggestion, it's important that Adobe recognizes
> not
> only their intended use for Captivate, but how user's actually use, or
> want to
> use, the software.

Yes, that is true. And they do. But it takes time to create new versions,
unfortunately.

> I like the interactivity, but I need to export to other
> formats sometimes. I don't want to buy Camtasia or anything else. I want
> Captivate to be my one-stop shop. I don't think I'm as in the minority as
> some
> think. If I am, it's probably because Adobe is stuck on *their* intent
> rather
> than mine, so they are missing that part of the market share.
>
> If I read correctly, that may be a future enhancement, and I will jump up
> and
> down with joy when it's released. Please, understand that this is
> constructive
> criticism and not complaining. We just want Captivate to keep up with us
> and
> our needs.
>

Your points are clear, and fair. Asking for enhancements is completely
reasonable. Adobe *do* monitor these forums and they *do* understand the
changing needs of the users of the product. And they provide wishlist forms
so we can all direct our requests right to the engineers, so you can be sure
that missing features can be brought to their attention and added to the
product as time, technology and priorities allow.

Steve

--
http://twitter.com/Stevehoward999

Adobe Community Expert: eLearning, Mobile and Devices
European eLearning Summit - EeLS
Adobe-sponsored eLearning conference.
http://www.elearningsummit.eu

Report · Oct 15, 2008

Steve:

>I think stating my opinion, without calling people names or poking fun
>is
>just that - stating my opinion.

No, you had a particular nastiness about your response. It was condescending. Captivate is not a cheap product, and it's typically used by professionals, not someone who bought a $20 shareware product.

The market has evolved. People created interactive content, and then wanted to put that type of content on YouTube. Even Adobe recognizes this and blogs about how to get your content up on YouTube.

Maybe you're not a strutting jackanape. Maybe you simply don't realize you're coming off as nasty.

But instead of making someone feel stupid for a perfectly reasonable request (and having paid a bucket of money for the product), it would be far nicer just to understand their frustration (as opposed to pointing out how stupid they are). Something like "I understand, and I hear Adobe is working on more functionality there, in the meantime, here are few suggestions".

It's totally understandable that Adobe is late to the game in getting better format support. I am in software development. I understand these things. The best thing, in my mind, is to let your customers know what the plan is. Customers will understand and be forgiving if the explanation is provided in the right way. I used both Camtasia and Captivate now. Like them both, each has their strengths and weaknesses. Camtasia, as you know, has tremendous format support and also supports a good range of interactive options.

>You are more than welcome to you opinion, but you don't get a better
>hearing
>by using name-calling in your posts. I'm still stunned by the
>nastiness you
>are using just because the product is not designed to do what you want
>and I
>had the nerve to point that out to you.

Stunned by the nastiness? I was stunned by yours. I guess it's a matter of perspective.

>Multiple posts from multiple names is kind of funny too.

That's possible, I have two Adobe accounts and I can't remember which one I log in with.

Report · Oct 15, 2008

> No, you had a particular nastiness about your response. It was
> condescending.
> Captivate is not a cheap product, and it's typically used by
> professionals,
> not someone who bought a $20 shareware product.

Let's go back to what I what I responded to:-

"I find it odd you would be totally at ease with the output until after you
ponied up for the real deal, then be shocked that it doesn't port easily to
format that works well on YouTube."

If the cost of Captivate is so high and so painful on the purchaser's
budget, then due diligence should be done to make sure they buy the product
that does the job they intend to use it for. Failure to do so is neglectful
and can be very costly. If I made that sort of mistake, I could lose my job.
If it is offensive to the original poster to have that mistake highlighted,
then shame on him - I'm sure it would be even more offensive to his boss or
client to realise he failed to do appropriate research ahead of making the
purchase.

> The market has evolved. People created interactive content, and then
> wanted
> to put that type of content on YouTube. Even Adobe recognizes this and
> blogs
> about how to get your content up on YouTube.

Sure - but beating on the *current* version of Captivate can't change its
features.

>
> Maybe you're not a strutting jackanape. Maybe you simply don't realize
> you're
> coming off as nasty.

It wasn't my intent to be nasty. Looking at the rest of that thread, there
was plenty of vehement comment thrown at adobe and anyone offering any sort
of counter comment was greeted with derision. A nice reception for freely
offered, volunteer assistance.

There were also plenty of suggestions for successful workarounds, but the
dead horse of Captivate's failing somehow still gets more beating. I think
it has been discussed plainly that the current version of Captivate does not
publish flat video, and only a new version of Captivate could fix that.
There's nothing to be gained by kicking that dead horse further.

Steve

--
http://twitter.com/Stevehoward999

Adobe Community Expert: eLearning, Mobile and Devices
European eLearning Summit - EeLS
Adobe-sponsored eLearning conference.
http://www.elearningsummit.eu

Report · Jun 30, 2009

the simple solution to convert swf to avi or mov is a conversion tool, right?

well, the one i can recommend you is iWisoft swf2avi converter which i've used, good one.

Report · Jul 09, 2009

Hi there,

Just in case you weren't aware. Adobe Captivate 4 enables you to publish Captivate 4 project files directly to AVI. To do this carry out the following steps:

1. Open your Adobe Captivate 4 project file.

2. Choose File > Publish

3. Select Media from the list of publishing options

4. From the Select Type menu choose Video (*.avi)

5. From the Output Options choose your desired Video and Audio format

6. Click Publish.

HTH

Best - Mark

<a href="http://macrofireball.blogspot.com/"><strong>Visit the macrofireball blog</strong></a>

Report · Mar 21, 2013

It is difficult to find a good swf converter tool.I downloaded many swf converter and tested them.Based on an overall consideration of various factors,I selected bvcsoft swf to flv converter,it can finish swf to flv,avi,mpeg,mov,wmv,3gp etc many video and audio format.I can keeep my original video size or resize I need.If .swf volume is low or high,I can also increase/decrease volume.usually,I set 95db.

Good luck!

Report · Mar 22, 2013

Do you have to use .MOV? I'm using Captivate 5.5 and for some of the work I do, I publish in .mp4 which works on most web/mobile platforms. Have you tried that? Then you wouldn't have to use a converter at all and you can publish in HD if you want.