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| title = Scaleform GFx
| title = Scaleform GFx
| latest release version = 4.4
| latest release version = 4.4
| genre = >[[Game middleware|Game Middleware]]<br />[[Game development tool]]
| genre = [[Game middleware]]<br />[[Game development tool]]
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| website = {{URL|http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform}}
| website = {{URL|http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform}}

Revision as of 22:29, 7 September 2014

Scaleform Corporation
Company typeSubsidiary of Autodesk
IndustryComputer and video games
Game Middleware
Game development tool
FoundedLaurel, Maryland, U.S. (2004)
FounderBrendan Iribe, Michael Antonov
HeadquartersGreenbelt, Maryland, U.S.
OwnerAutodesk, Inc.
Number of employees
30
WebsiteScaleform at Autodesk.com

Scaleform Corporation is a developer providing middleware for use in the video game industry. Their most recent software, Scaleform GFx, is a vector graphics rendering engine used to display Adobe Flash-based user interfaces, HUDs, and animated textures for games[1] for Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, as well as Xbox 360, Xbox One PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3,[2] Playstation 4, PS Vita,[3] 3DS,[3] Wii,[3] Wii U,[4] Windows Phone,[5] iOS,[3] and Android[3] platforms. Following the company's acquisition by Autodesk on March 1, 2011[6], Scaleform has become part of the Autodesk Gameware line of middleware.

Products

Scaleform GFx

Scaleform GFx
Stable release
4.4
Written inC++. C++ API provided[3], C# API available in Unity Plugin[7]; ActionScript virtual machine included
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows, Linux, OS X, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Vita, Wii, Wii U, iOS, Android, Windows Phone 8[3]
TypeGame middleware
Game development tool
LicenseProprietary
Websitegameware.autodesk.com/scaleform

Scaleform GFx allows licensees to create user interfaces using Adobe Flash authoring tools, such as Adobe Flash Professional; the resulting SWF files can be used directly by the GFx libraries, providing similar functionality to the Adobe Flash Player but optimized for use within game engines. Scaleform provides APIs for direct communication between Flash content and the game engine, and pre-built integrations for popular engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine[3]. Scaleform GFx can also be licensed for use as a standalone Flash runtime system on mobile platforms[8][9], competing with Adobe AIR.

Scaleform GFx contains several core systems: a vector-to-triangle tessellation engine with a patent-pending, edge anti-aliasing algorithm that uses subpixel triangles to smooth the edges; mesh cache to manage tessellated triangle data; vector-graphic based font system that uses a single texture to dynamically cache glyphs on demand; optimized ActionScript 3[10] and ActionScript 2 virtual machines with garbage collection; memory and performance analyzers; audio support via a licensee-implementable C++ interface, with a default implementation supporting FMOD[11]; and XML and CSS support.

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

  • Scaleform 3Di[12] - 3D interface rendering system that can be used to tilt and rotate any 2D Flash element in 3D space including changing the Z and X/Y rotation. Adds stereoscopic 3D UI support to give the appearance that they're floating.
  • 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 [13]
  • 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 gives detailed stats for CPU usage, rendering, and memory, and includes a complete ActionScript profiler with function and per-line timing.

Other products

In addition to Scaleform GFx, the company provides two add-on modules:

  • Scaleform Video - fully integrated video codec for Flash Video workflow support (currently powered by CRI Movie).
  • Scaleform IME - fully integrated Input Method Editor (IME) for Asian chat support.

Games using Scaleform technology

Main article: List of games using Scaleform

Integrated technology partners

Game engines

Other middleware

See also

References

  1. ^ "Games Central: "Masthead Licenses Scaleform for Earthrise"".
  2. ^ Brandon Boyer (2007-04-19). "Scaleform GFx Comes to PSP, PS3". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Scaleform - Usage - Platforms". Autodesk. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  4. ^ http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/29460
  5. ^ http://www.develop-online.net/news/42374/A-wealth-of-tools-support-for-Windows-Phone-8
  6. ^ "Autodesk & Scaleform". Autodesk. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  7. ^ http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/faqs
  8. ^ http://www.cnet.com/news/how-to-quickly-convert-flash-games-into-mobile-apps/
  9. ^ http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/advantage
  10. ^ Kris Graft. "Scaleform GFx 4 Supports Flash 10 AS3". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2010-10-01.
  11. ^ http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/features/audio
  12. ^ Kris Graft. "New Scaleform Supports 3D Menus". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  13. ^ http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/tools
  14. ^ "Unreal Engine in major Scaleform UI deal". Develop. Retrieved 2010-05-15.
  15. ^ "Scaleform to be free for UDK". Develop. Retrieved 2010-05-15.
  16. ^ "CryEngine 2 Uses Scaleform GFx". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
  17. ^ "Emergent Fully Integrates Scaleform and SpeedTree in Gamebryo Under Company's Growing Partner Program". Reuters. 2008-02-05. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
  18. ^ Will Freeman (2009-03-21). "Key middleware providers pledge support for Gamebryo LightSpeed". Develop. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  19. ^ Chris Remo (2009-03-12). "Scaleform announces CRI video codec partnership". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  20. ^ "Scaleform and GameSpy Launch Comprehensive In-Game Lobby Solution". IGN. 2008-02-13. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
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