Adobe Flash CS5 Released – Top 2 Features

Finally! The NDA embargo has been lifted for Flash CS5 as the Adobe Creative Suite 5 has been announced today. Some pretty exciting things coming to the Flash IDE that you can read all about here: http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/whatsnew/

So what’s new? Basically, the biggest new features are:

• Super improved text layout engine
• Code snippets panel (woo boy?)
• Improved AS editor with code hinting (finally)
• XML-based fla format (yay for git/svn)
• Other little misc things like integration, deco tools, video and bones enhancements

Probably the biggest news are the new text engine and the xml based fla format. I see these 2 features as really the biggest improvements in CS5, though interestingly enough, I think this is the first release without a corresponding major player release (ie: Flash Player 11), though FP 10.1 is targeted. I was really hoping for some AS3 improvements/performance increases, but we’ll see if that comes in the 10.1 Flash Player.

I’ve used the beta for a bit, and really dig the new splash screen and logo designs of the entire CS5 suite. It’s a bit less buggy, but the same window system is still there – love it or hate it. Seems to run great on 10.6.3 on my Macbook Air, so I’m digging it.

What do you think, CS5 win or fail?

Update: New logos, screenshot, and icon of Flash CS5