Scaleform GFx
{{Short description|Discontinued game development middleware package}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox software
| title = Scaleform GFx
| logo =
| screenshot = BorderlandsHUD.png
| screenshot size = 250px
| caption = A user interface in Borderlands, rendered using Scaleform GFx
| latest release version = 4.6.34
| genre = Game middleware
Game development tool
| license = Proprietary
| website = {{URL|www.autodesk.com/products/scaleform/overview}}
| platform = Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, as well as Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3,{{cite web| author=Brandon Boyer|publisher=Gamasutra|date=2007-04-19|accessdate=2008-07-21|title=Scaleform GFx Comes to PSP, PS3|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=13606 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612213219/http://gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=13606 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 12, 2007 }} PlayStation 4, PS Vita,{{cite web| publisher=Autodesk|title=Scaleform - Usage - Platforms|accessdate=2014-09-07 |url=http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/usage/platforms }} 3DS, Wii, Wii U,{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/29460/autodesk-enters-license-agreement-with-nintendo|title=Autodesk Enters License Agreement with Nintendo - News|website=Nintendo World Report|accessdate=16 January 2024}} Windows Phone,{{Cite web|url=http://www.develop-online.net/news/42374/A-wealth-of-tools-support-for-Windows-Phone-8|title = A wealth of tools support for Windows Phone 8|website = MCV|date = 31 October 2012}} iOS, and Android
| programming language = C++. C++ API provided, C# API available in Unity Plugin;[http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/faqs Frequently Asked Questions]gameware.autodesk.com {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150117153159/http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/faqs |date=January 17, 2015 }} ActionScript virtual machine included
| author = Scaleform Corporation
| developer = Autodesk
}}
Scaleform GFx is a discontinued game development middleware package, a vector graphics rendering engine used to display Adobe Flash-based user interfaces and HUDs for video games.{{cite web|title=Games Central: "Masthead Licenses Scaleform for Earthrise"|url=http://www.gamescentral.com/story-564-Masthead-Licenses-Scaleform-for-Earthrise-.html|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711071207/http://www.gamescentral.com/story-564-Masthead-Licenses-Scaleform-for-Earthrise-.html|archivedate=2011-07-11}} In March 2011, Autodesk acquired Scaleform Corporation{{cite web |title=Autodesk & Scaleform |url=http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=16284057&siteID=123112 |publisher=Autodesk |accessdate=March 1, 2011}} and Scaleform GFx became part of the Autodesk Gameware line of middleware. On July 12, 2018, Autodesk discontinued Scaleform GFx, and it is no longer available for purchase.{{Cite web|url=https://www.autodesk.com/content/autodesk-game-middleware|title=Autodesk Scaleform GFx Middleware Overview|accessdate=16 January 2024}}
Authors created user interfaces using Adobe Flash authoring tools, such as Adobe Animate (formerly Adobe Flash Professional); the resulting SWF files were used directly by the GFx libraries, providing similar functionality to the Adobe Flash Player but optimized for use within game engines.
Scaleform GFx supported all major platforms, including game consoles, mobile and PC operating systems. Scaleform provides APIs for direct communication between Flash content and the game engine, and pre-built integrations for popular engines such as Unity, Unreal Engine, and CryENGINE.[https://books.google.com/books?id=ui5m7AlIbZIC&dq=Scaleform+GFx&pg=PT926 Unreal Development Kit Game Design Cookbook], Packt Publishing Ltd, 22-Feb-2012[https://books.google.com/books?id=AZ8LAAAAQBAJ&dq=Scaleform+GFx&pg=PA509 UDK Game Development], Cengage Learning, 2012[https://books.google.com/books?id=7M9XAqgu2j8C&dq=Scaleform+GFx&pg=PA199 Beginning iOS 3D Unreal Games Development], Apress, 04-Apr-2012[https://books.google.com/books?id=8jUmAgAAQBAJ&dq=Scaleform+GFx&pg=PT240 CryENGINE Game Programming with C++, C#, and Lua], Packt Publishing Ltd, 22-Nov-2013[https://books.google.com/books?id=nbcLAAAAQBAJ&dq=Scaleform+GFx&pg=PA39 Game Coding Complete],[https://books.google.com/books?id=acrplfrsbTsC&dq=Scaleform+GFx&pg=PT283 Cryengine 3 Game Development: Beginner's Guide], Packt Publishing Ltd, 21-Sep-2012 Scaleform GFx could also be licensed for use as a standalone Flash runtime system on mobile platforms,{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/how-to-quickly-convert-flash-games-into-mobile-apps/|title = How to quickly convert flash games into mobile apps}} competing with Adobe AIR.
Features
Scaleform GFx contains several core systems, including:
- a GPU-accelerated rendering engine for display objects, featuring a vector-to-triangle tessellation engine with an edge anti-aliasing algorithm that uses subpixel triangles to smooth the edges
- mesh rendering backends for DirectX and OpenGL APIs
- a mesh cache to manage tessellated triangle data
- a vector-graphic based font system that uses a single texture to dynamically cache glyphs on demand
- support for all major Flash display classes including Sprite, MovieClip, TextField and Filters (Glow, Bevel, DropShadow, etc.)
- optimized ActionScript 3{{cite web|author=Kris Graft|publisher=Gamasutra|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30745/New_Scaleform_GFx_40_Supports_ActionScript_3_Flash_10.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006062331/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30745/New_Scaleform_GFx_40_Supports_ActionScript_3_Flash_10.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 6, 2010|title=Scaleform GFx 4 Supports Flash 10 AS3|accessdate=2010-10-01}} and ActionScript 2 virtual machines with garbage collector, as well as GFx-specific ActionScript extensions[http://gameware.autodesk.com/documents/sf_4.2_AS3_extensions.pdf Scaleform 4.2 Extensions], Autodesk
- audio support via a licensee-implementable C++ interface, with a default implementation supporting FMOD[http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/features/audio Features. Audio]gameware.autodesk.com {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150117153210/http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/features/audio |date=January 17, 2015 }}
=Additional components=
In addition to the engine, documentation, and samples, the Scaleform GFx SDK includes several additional components:
{{glossary}}
{{term|Scaleform 3Di}}
{{defn|ActionScript 2 extensions allowing for three-dimensional location and rotation of Flash elements. Scaleform 4 includes support for ActionScript 3's built-in 3D capabilities, making 3Di unnecessary.{{cite web|author=Kris Graft|publisher=Gamasutra|url= https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/new-scaleform-version-released-supports-3d-menus-for-console-games|title=New Scaleform Supports 3D Menus|access-date=2010-04-07}}}}
{{term|Scaleform CLIK}}
{{defn|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.{{Cite web | title=Scaleform - Tools {{!}} Autodesk Gameware | url=http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/tools | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713011714/http://gameware.autodesk.com:80/scaleform/tools | access-date=2025-01-12 | archive-date=2012-07-13}}}}
{{term|Scaleform UI Kits}}
{{defn|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.}}
{{term|Scaleform AMP}}
{{defn|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 is similar in purpose and design to Adobe Scout. AMP gives detailed stats for CPU usage, rendering, and memory, and includes a complete ActionScript profiler with function and per-line timing.}}
{{glossary end}}
=Separately-licensed add-ons=
Scaleform also provided two optional add-ons for GFx:
{{glossary}}
{{term|Scaleform Video}}
{{defn|Fully integrated video codec for Flash Video workflow support (currently powered by CRI Movie.)}}
{{term|Scaleform 3Di}}
{{defn|Fully integrated Input Method Editor (IME) for Asian chat support.}}
{{glossary end}}
Technology partners
=Game engines=
- Source Engine (Scaleform was used as the former UI backend for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, prior to the game switching to Valve's in-house Panorama UI.{{Cite web|url=https://blog.counter-strike.net/index.php/2018/08/20738/|title = Counter-Strike: Global Offensive}})
- Unreal Engine 3{{cite web |publisher=Develop|url=http://www.develop-online.net/news/34521/Unreal-Engine-in-major-Scaleform-UI-deal|title=Unreal Engine in major Scaleform UI deal|accessdate=2010-05-15}} and UDK{{cite web |publisher=Develop|url=http://www.develop-online.net/news/34537/Not-just-UE3-Scaleform-to-be-free-for-UDK|title=Scaleform to be free for UDK|website=MCV|date=15 April 2010|accessdate=2010-05-15}}
- Crytek CryEngine 2{{cite web |publisher=GameSpot|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/unions/read_article.php?topic_id=24836156&union_id=6917|title=CryEngine 2 Uses Scaleform GFx|accessdate=2008-07-21}} and CryEngine 3
- Emergent Gamebryo{{cite web|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS153025+05-Feb-2008+MW20080205|date=2008-02-05|title=Emergent Fully Integrates Scaleform and SpeedTree in Gamebryo Under Company's Growing Partner Program|accessdate=2008-07-21|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113044636/http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/02/05/idUS153025+05-Feb-2008+MW20080205|archivedate=2012-11-13}} and LightSpeed{{cite web| author=Will Freeman|publisher=Develop|url= http://www.develop-online.net/news/31624/Key-middleware-providers-pledge-support-for-Gamebryo-LightSpeed|date=2009-03-21|title=Key middleware providers pledge support for Gamebryo LightSpeed|website=MCV|accessdate=2009-08-14 }}
- Sony PhyreEngine
- Forgelight Engine
- Infernal Engine
- BigWorld
- HeroEngine
- Trinigy Vision Engine
- Instinct Technology
- LithTech
- RAGE (used in the game Grand Theft Auto V for user interface elements including the map)
- RedEngine
=Other middleware=
- CRI Movie{{cite web|author=Chris Remo|publisher=Gamasutra|url= http://www.gamasutra.com/news/design/?story=22691|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090402045208/http://www.gamasutra.com/news/design/?story=22691|url-status= dead|archive-date= April 2, 2009|date=2009-03-12|title=Scaleform announces CRI video codec partnership|accessdate=2009-08-14}}
- FMOD
- GameSpy{{cite web|publisher=IGN|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/852/852010p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220021114/http://pc.ign.com/articles/852/852010p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 20, 2008|date=2008-02-13|title=Scaleform and GameSpy Launch Comprehensive In-Game Lobby Solution|accessdate=2008-07-21}}
- Raknet
See also
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- [http://www.scaleform.com/ Scaleform's official website]
- [http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/middleware-scaleform-gfx-sdk Scaleform GFx] on MobyGames
- [http://www.mobygames.com/company/scaleform-corporation Scaleform] on MobyGames
- [http://www.linkedin.com/companies/scaleform Scaleform] on LinkedIn
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090504035746/http://www.igda.org/wiki/Flash_SIG Flash in Games SIG] on IGDA
- [http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/Scaleform.html ScaleForm GFx] on UDK
{{Adobe Flash}}
{{Autodesk products}}
Category:Autodesk discontinued products