A few days ago when I was looking through Yahoo Answer, accidently I saw some questions about the conversion between flash SWF and other video/picture formats. The frequently-asked questions are: how to convert SWF to AVI? How to convert SWF to MOV? And how to convert SWF to animated GIF?

Of course there are some very nice answers there, however, when I see somebody saying “It’s just impossible to convert SWF to animated GIF because SWF is flash, while GIF is picture format, so it’s not possible…(Sorry, I forgot how exactly the answer said)”, it was a big shock for me! What I want to say is: it is possible to convert SWF to animated GIF, and it is very easy as long as you find the right program!

Also, they are a lot of questions are asked about WHERE and HOW can I download flashes, well, my answer is ANYWHERE you want and it is very easy too, but here you go again, you have to find the right program!

Next, I’ll extract some pictures to illustrate how I solve the above questions:

Question 1: Where and how can I download flash SWFs?

Usually, you should focus on some online game websites cause most of the little games there are made in SWF format. Also, most advertisements and banners on the websites are made in SWF format too. If you are still not sure where to find them, just type the URL of the website that you think there may be flashes, and the program will automatically detect and download(if any).

Look at Figure 1, i just randomly type youtube.com and actually I’m not sure whether it has flash there or not, click “Go” to perform search, if there is, the SWF URL will be listed, if there is not, just change another URL to try.

Figure 1

Question 2: How to convert SWF to AVI?

I have to say this is one of the basic SWF to video conversions and is extremely useful for those who want to play SWF files on PC players and with excellent picture and sound quality. Please see Figure 2.

Figure 2

PS: if you are a professional video editor, you can choose “Video with alpha” option to convert SWF to AVI with alpha channel.

Question 3: How to convert SWF to MOV?

Apple! Apple! Apple! SWF to MOV conversion is made for mac users to play SWF file in Apple QuickTime Player. Please see Figure 3 for details.

Figure 3

Question 4: How to convert SWF to animated GIF?

This is a challenge because somebody already said it is just impossible, I want to say: just impossible for some programs! Here comes the solution(see Figure 4).

Figure 4

Not only that, you can customize the frame rate, image size and compression quality during the SWF to animated GIF conversion. Test the finished GIF and the excellent quality will definitely WOW you!

This blog is just the tip of the iceberg, keep exploring and you will find more! Enjoy the Flash World!