Astro is a fairly intuitive application that you can use to create animations. Its main advantage is that it does not require previous Flash authoring experience, making itself available for users of all skill levels.
The interface of the program is represented by two simple-to-use windows - one is for configuring settings, while the other ones reveals results.
So, you can get started by specifying video properties when it comes to the size, frames per second, canvas color and weblink.
It is possible to add one of the 25 sample sounds or to import your own audio tracks from the hard drive, as long as they have the MP3 format. Astro also offers users a few examples concerning images but, once again, you have the possibility of importing your own pictures (JPEG, BMP and GIF formats).
In addition, you can apply background, foreground and text effects, while changing text properties when it comes to the position, size, color and font. Plus, you can install plugins and manage bookmarks, as well as publish the project for the web platform or just export it to the SWF format.
Astro is very low-demanding when it comes to the CPU and system memory, so it shouldn't burden the computer's overall performance. It has a good response time and contains a help file. No error dialogs have been shown in our tests and the program did not hang or crash. Thanks to its intuitive layout yet rich configuration options, Astro should please the entire audience.
Limitations:
· Astro is a shareware product. While unregistered, it will scramble the exported effects.
· The effects that you create with this evaluation version are for testing purposes only. You may not distribute, in any way or form, the effects that you create with this evaluation version. When you are ready to really put Astro to work, you can order a key which comes with a royalty-free license to distribute the effects that you create.