SWF Scout

SWF Scout by ByteScout is a comprehensive ActiveX library for SWF flash movies generation that caters specifically to Web Development needs. The software, currently on its latest version, 2.41, operates seamlessly on Windows 7, and falls under the category of Development Tools with a subcategory of Web Development. With a Shareware license, users get to explore its impressive features while deciding if they would like to purchase the full version.

One of the highlighted benefits of SWF Scout is the ability to generate SWF flash files without needing additional libraries or applications. This is a huge plus for developers, as it simplifies the process immensely. It supports creation of Flash Lite compatible flash movies, and offers a wide array of tools such as creating various shapes, buttons, text, morphing shapes, sprites, and more. Adding sound (MP3 and WAV) and video (FLV) is also elegantly handled within the program.

Additionally, the software's ability to create a pre-loader for flash movies and convert EMF to SWF and HTML to SWF movieclip(s) is noteworthy. It can load a range of image formats including JPG, BMP, TIFF, PNG, and GIF, making it extremely versatile. Moreover, SWF Scout allows the use of external SWF clips as sprites and offers conversion of SWF to EXE and SWF to standalone SCR (screensaver), expanding its usability even further.

Another standout feature is the support for events and actions, along with a "real" hDC that can be used to draw shapes and text using WinAPI GDI functions. This ensures that SWF output can be added to existing applications with ease. Support for Unicode and font embedding, transformations, and in-memory file generation for ASP/ASP.NET (with a web license) add extra layers of functionality.

For developers looking to download a free trial version, SWF Scout showcases immense promise. It also supports a smooth integration of existing SWF files as templates, which can be modified by replacing movie clips, text, images, and ActionScript variables.

Pros:

1. Comprehensive toolset for generating and modifying SWF files.
2. No additional libraries required for most features.
3. Wide support for various media formats and dynamic content creation.
4. Ease of integrating SWF output into existing applications.

Cons:

1. The software is marked as Shareware, which means not all features might be available in the free trial.
2. Limited to Windows 7, which might not cater to users on other operating systems.

It is not possible to confirm if there is a free download for this software available on the developer's website. We recommend checking the downloaded files with any free antivirus.

You may want to check out more software, such as PPT To SWF Scout, Folder Scout or SWF Video Converter Factory, which might be related to SWF Scout.