java or flash suggestion

[TVB]

I want to build an online invitation using some type of animation. It doesn't need to be fancy. And I don't want to use any involving third-parties like evite where emails need to be entered because I don't want the invitees to get spammed down the road.

It would reside on the site and the invitees would be sent a link sent by email.

Does anyone know of a free or close to free program that I can use? It should be relatively simple for me to set up as it's not something I want to spend gobs of time on. I have ANFY Java which is great because it is easy but it's licensed to another site and I don't want to buy it again. If you are not familiar with the ANFY program, it has a menu of effects and is as simple as just filling in the blanks. I would like the same type of fill in the blank options.

Since I may use but once, it should be cheap!:P

[tommyc]

TVB,
Don't know if this is exactly what you were asking for, but "openhere.com" has got some very diverse invitations that are also animated. Spam? Not sure. A few of my friends have used them...but it's 7AM here, and a bit too early to ask them. Can't hurt.
Tom

[TVB]

Hi Tommy,

The best way to describe what I am looking for is a java script that would reside on my site that people can click on to open it and get the animated invitation. The closest thing I can think of to describe it is the ANFY applets (which is what I may end up using) because you choose from a list of visual options, click the boxes that you want and voila, you have a little pre-built java app that can be used. I am hoping to find something that has a bit more sophistication and or more flash based.

I'll check out your suggestion to see if it would work for my needs.

Betsy

[tommyc]

Hi Betsy,
Still not sure if this is for you but the address I gave is probably a little too general. Here's the exact link.http://www.openhere.com/tech1/internet-and-intranet/e-mail/electronic-postcards/occasions. Hope it helps,Tom

[tommyc]

Betsy,
Will try this again. I can see screwing up some coding, but adding an elipsis;No way Jose. Here it is again. http://www.openhere.com/tech1/internet-and-intranet/e-mail/electronic-postcards/occasions

[TVB]

Thank-you Tommy but not quite what I was looking for. But I think I found it with either CoffeeCup Firestarter or Swish. The sad part is I own Flash 5 but can't figure it out. I could if I had about 6 more hours per day!

Any one have experience with the two programs I mentioned (Coffee Cup Firestarter or Swish?)

Betsy
--This frame goes on that layer and does what???

[tommyc]

Betsy,
Hey, it was worth a try. That was something the way the URL didn't take...Twice.
And I know exactly what you're experiencing w/Macromedia. I just got an e-mail back from a question I asked re: Swish. And it was filled w/links to where I had asked the question in the 1st place. I wish you luck in finding the right remedy. Tom

[jeep]

I think it could be hard to find what you're after. If I understand you right, you want a free or free-ish animation tool that will help you build an e-card of sorts.

Flash, Quicktime and DHTML come to mind but you could actually use something like an animated GIF if you want to keep it simple. I'm a Mac user so I dunno if this is any help but GifBuilder is a free tool that can make some great animated GIFs in no time....

http://homepage.mac.com/piguet/gif.html

(People like Adobe and Macromedia make commercial tools for GIF animation too).

From my Windows days I think I remember Paint Shop Pro offering some similar funtionality.

The biggest boon is that you don't need any plugins to view animated GIFs.

If you need any help advice on animated GIFs, Flash or anything else then let me know. :noddy:

regards,
Jason