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Macromedia Flash FLA Project File Format

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Table of Contents
• Identification and description
• Local use
• Sustainability factors
• Quality and functionality factors
• File type signifiers
• Notes
• Format specifications
• Useful references
Format Description Properties
• ID: fdd000132
• Short name: FLA
• Content categories: moving image
• Format category: file format
• Last significant update: 2007-02-23
• Draft status: Partial [draft in progress]

Identification and description Explanation of format description terms

Full nameMacromedia Flash FLA Project File Format
DescriptionAuthoring format for Macromedia application software. FLA files typically include vector image data for use in animations, timelines to control animation playback, and audio; they may also include "bitmapped" video content. FLA files may include or reference ActionScripts (similar to JavaScripts) to provide interactivity.1 FLA files are comparable to source code and are typically saved as Flash files for Internet delivery; see SWF_7 and SWF_8.

Temporary note (March 2010): Although Adobe Systems Inc. had acquired Macromedia in 2005, the specification for version 8 of the SWF file format (SWF_8), together with documentation of the FLV format, was published that year under the Macromedia brand. It is not clear to the compiler of this Web page if the specifications for the FLA project format were revised, although in 2005 the creating application was assigned number 8. Specifications for later versions of the Flash file format have been published by Adobe, including version 10 (dated 2008), still available in 2010 from http://www.adobe.com/devnet/swf/. The compilers of this resource hope to update this Website soon to add descriptions of newer versions. Comments welcome.
Production phaseUsed for initial-state content creation, or for middle-state archiving by producers.2
Relationship to other formats 
  May contain Sorenson encoded video.3
  May contain Screen video bitstream format and Screen Video Version 2, not documented here.
  May contain On2 Truemotion VP6 bitstream format, not documented here.
  May contain Raw PCM sampled audio content, not documented here.
  May contain ADPCM (Adaptive Delta Pulse Code Modulation) audio content
  May contain MP3_ENC audio content
  May contain Nellymoser Asao (speech compression) audio content, not documented here.
  May contain ActionScript as files as external resources1
  Other SWF_7 Macromedia Flash SWF File Format, Version 7. Explanatory note: SWF files are typically derived from a FLA file.
  Other SWF_8 Macromedia Flash SWF File Format, Version 8. Explanatory note: SWF files are typically derived from a FLA file.

Local use Explanation of format description terms

LC experience or existing holdingsNone
LC preferenceNone established; it is an interesting question whether FLA ought to be preferred to SWF_7 or SWF_8. Potential challenges to the preservation of SWF files (the offspring of FLA) are discussed in Richard Entlich's article "Flash in the Pan or Around for the Long Haul?". The compilers of this document seek advice regarding preservation preferences: SWF_7 or SWF_8, FLA, a projector version (combines SWF file with runtime player), or is it advisable to archive all three? Comments welcome

Sustainability factors Explanation of format description terms

DisclosureProprietary, not publicly documented. Developed by Macromedia, Inc., now owned by Adobe Systems.
  DocumentationNone identified.
AdoptionWidely adopted by SWF creators.
  Licensing and patent claimsDetails unknown to the compiler of this document.
TransparencyNot transparent; proprietary binary format.
Self-documentationNot investigated; likely to be proprietary and associated with the authoring application
External dependenciesNone.
Technical protection considerationsNone known to the compilers of this document.

Quality and functionality factors Explanation of format description terms

Video elements 
Normal rendering for videoGood support
Clarity (support for high image resolution) FLA files feature vector graphics for which high levels of clarity (in some sense) are a given. The conventional video in SWF and FLV files may be compressed in various ways and presumably the same options exist for FLA files (see relationships above). The video quality in these encodings is expected to range from good to very good.
Functionality beyond normal rendering for videoNone noted.
Sound elements 
Normal rendering for soundGood support
Fidelity (support for high audio resolution)The SWF specification (and hence the presumed inclusions within FLA files) limits uncompressed audio to 44 kHz sampling and 16 bit words, thus providing very good fidelity. The use of compression will reduce fidelity in accord with the specific encoding and settings selected.
Support for multiple sound channelsStereo only.
Support for downloadable or user-defined sounds, samples, and patchesNone.
Functionality beyond normal rendering for soundNone noted.

File type signifiers Explanation of format description terms

Tag typeValueNote
Filename ExtensionflaFrom The File Extension Source. ActionScript files as external resources carry the as extension.1 The Wikipedia article on Flash (consulted November 30, 2006) includes a list of file types (with extensions) associated with the Flash family.
Internet Media Type None identified.
Magic numbersHex: D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00From The File Extension Source

Notes Explanation of format description terms

GeneralThe File Extension Source calls FLA files "Flash Movie Authoring Files."
History 

Format specifications Explanation of format description terms

URLs

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Useful references Explanation of format description terms

URLs
• Adobe Systems (http://www.adobe.com/)
• http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Macromedia_Flash
• "Flash in the Pan or Around for the Long Haul?" by Richard Entlich (http://worldcat.org/arcviewer/1/OCC/2007/07/10/0000068916/viewer/file1.html#article3)
• Wikipedia article on Flash consulted November 30, 2006 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Flash)

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1 The Web page http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Macromedia_Flash (consulted November 30, 2006) reports that ".as (or sometimes .actionscript) files contain ActionScript source code in simple source files. FLA files can also contain Actionscript code directly, but separate external .as files often emerge for structural reasons, or to expose the code to versioning applications, and so on." Files with the as extension are simple text files containing ActionScript source code.
2 Use as a middle-state format for delivery by producer to publisher is indicated by the following example. The Tribune Entertainment Media Group (consulted November 30, 2006) offers this specification for the submission of advertising: "FLASH files must be received in .FLA format with all font layers located."
3 Flash documentation does not state a number for "their" version of Sorenson but describes the codec as a variant of ITU-T (International Telecommunications Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector) recommendation H.263 (MPEG-4_V). In early 2006, one of Sorenson's compression applications to produce content for Flash offered the Sorenson_3 codec, described by experts as a variant of ITU-T H.264 (MPEG-4_AVC). By late 2006, Sorenson offered new compression applications with other outputs.


Last Updated: 03/30/2010

 
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