The .swf format generated by flash is an open format. This means that Macromedia has supplied the basics to a number of companies, so that their software can also create animations in flash format. Here is some of that software...
FlashMX : is edited by
macromedia inventor of the flash system
Live Motion : This is FlashMX's big competitor. Live motion is edited by Adobe and is currently on version 2.0. Its interface is more object oriented. Site:
live motion.
Swish: Swish has very quickly become one of the most popular pieces of software for creating flash animations. You can only animate text type elements but it has a plethora of predefined effects which makes the task of animating much quicker. Site:
Swish
Fire Starter: Just like swish, it allows you to create Flash animations by using predefined effects. It can manage sound and the addition of many effects on bitmap images. Site:
Fire Starter
Swift 3d This is the perfect marriage of 3d drawings and the possibilities that flash vector animations have to offer. It is now available as a fully-fledged editor. With this software you can create three dimensional animations and then export them to the internet. Site:
Swift 3D
Illustrator: Even if this software is principally aimed at printed creations it has quickly adapted itself to vector creation for the internet. Its highly effective drawing tools have made this software a luxury solution. Site:
Illustrator