Bruce Von Stiers

On the heels of my review on a screensaver creator comes a brand new one. This one is about another really cool program from the people at ScreenTime. This one lets you make screensavers using Macromedia Flash MX movies. The program is called ScreenTime for Flash. It is now in version 2.

A lot of folks have been making really sweet Flash movies. Untold number of web sites have Flash animation them. One of these days BVS Reviews will even have some. That is if I ever get good enough at Flash to have a whole web site with Flash content. Anyway; some of these folks have been looking for a way to do something a little different with their work. Now they can. Just about any Flash movie can be used in this screensaver creator. A few simple steps and your favorite Flash movie can now be your favorite screensaver. You can even set it up so that others can enjoy your screensaver too.

The authoring process for creating the screensaver is done in four easy steps. The program has a real easy to use interface and good instructions to help you along. There is also a 19 page manual in PDF format that covers every thing that you need to know about making a Flash movie screensaver.

The first step in the authoring process is to grab the Flash movie that is to be the screensaver. This is done in the Contents tab of the ScreenTime work environment. Type in the path and file name for the Flash movie or click on the Browse button to find the file. Then you will give the screensaver a name and add any external files that the Flash movie needs. You can select the option to exit the screensaver on a key press or by movement of the mouse.

Next move on to the Properties tab. Here you will set up things for the Preview monitor. You can use the Flash movie that is going to be used for the screensaver, another movie or a still image. If you want the screensaver to expire after so many days, there is an option that allows that. It has a radio button for an actual expiration date or one that lets you choose a certain amount of days for the screensaver’s existence.
The program lets you add a message to the users about the expiration.

Now you are ready for the Settings tab. In this area you will be able to design some custom elements for users when they access the Settings options for the screensaver. You can take out the Mute button or add a button that will link to a specific web site. You can also let your users modify the Flash movie using controls in the Settings window.

The final stage is the under the Installer tab. Here you will set up the screensaver’s installer. Use the Flash movie, a different one or a still image. Or you can choose installation without any windows, menus or messages. If you want to include a license for the screensaver, it can be added here. A Readme file can be opened after installation with the option checked off in this section. Check another box if you want the Display Properties Control Panel to open after installation.

The last tab is to preview your screensaver and to build it. The program will ask you to name the project file and the folder to place it in. Then it will ask you to name the screensaver installer and the folder for it.

ScreenTime for Flash is a quick and easy to use program. It allows you to make screensavers out of your favorite Flash movies. It even allows you to control how long someone can use the screensaver. For those people who do wonderful things with Flash, this program is something that they shouldn’t be without.

I couldn’t find anything bad to say about this program. It does exactly what it is supposed to, making screensavers out of Flash movies. This latest version accepts Flash MX files, so users of the new Flash program will be able to make screensavers out of their movies.

ScreenTime for Flash 2 can be purchased online from ScreenTime Media. The list price is $ 199. You can find their web site at www.sceeentime.com.