View source for Software:Scaleform GFx

{{Short description|Discontinued game development middleware package}}
{{Infobox software
| title                  = Scaleform GFx
| logo                   = 
| screenshot             = BorderlandsHUD.png
| screenshot size        = 250px
| caption                = A user interface in ''[[Software:Borderlands (video game)|Borderlands]]'', rendered using Scaleform GFx
| latest release version = 4.6.34
| genre                  = Game middleware<br />[[Software:Game development tool|Game development tool]]
| license                = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| website                = {{URL|www.autodesk.com/products/scaleform/overview}}
| platform               = [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]], [[Software:OS X|OS X]], [[Software:Linux|Linux]], as well as [[Engineering:Xbox 360|Xbox 360]], [[Engineering:Xbox One|Xbox One]], [[Engineering:PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]], [[Engineering:PlayStation Portable|PlayStation Portable]], [[Engineering:PlayStation 3|PlayStation 3]],<ref name="PS3">{{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 }}</ref> [[Engineering:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]], PS Vita,<ref name="Platforms">{{cite web| publisher=[[Company:Autodesk|Autodesk]]|title=Scaleform - Usage - Platforms|accessdate=2014-09-07 |url=http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/usage/platforms }}</ref> {{wipe|Nintendo 3DS}},<ref name="Platforms"/> [[Engineering:Wii|Wii]],<ref name="Platforms"/> [[Engineering:Wii U|Wii U]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Software:Windows Phone|Windows Phone]],<ref name="Windows Phone runtime">{{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}}</ref> [[Software:IOS|iOS]],<ref name="Platforms"/> and [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]]<ref name="Platforms"/>
| programming language   = C++. C++ API provided,<ref name="Platforms"/> C# API available in Unity Plugin;<ref>[http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/faqs Frequently Asked Questions] gameware.autodesk.com {{dead link|date=January 2024}}</ref> ActionScript virtual machine included
| author                 = [[Company:Scaleform Corporation|Scaleform Corporation]]
| developer              = [[Company:Autodesk|Autodesk]]
}}

'''Scaleform GFx''' is a discontinued game development middleware package, a [[Vector graphics|vector graphics]] rendering engine used to display [[Software:Adobe Flash|Adobe Flash]]-based user interfaces and [[HUD (video gaming)|HUDs]] for video games.<ref name="masthead">{{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}}</ref> In March 2011, [[Company:Autodesk|Autodesk]] acquired [[Company:Scaleform Corporation|Scaleform Corporation]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Autodesk & Scaleform |url=http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=16284057&siteID=123112 |publisher=Autodesk |accessdate=March 1, 2011}}</ref> and Scaleform GFx became part of the [[Software:Autodesk Gameware|Autodesk Gameware]] line of middleware. On July 12, 2018, Autodesk discontinued Scaleform GFx, and it is no longer available for purchase.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autodesk.com/content/autodesk-game-middleware|title=Autodesk Scaleform GFx Middleware Overview|accessdate=16 January 2024}}</ref>

Authors created user interfaces using Adobe Flash authoring tools, such as [[Software:Adobe Animate|Adobe Animate]] (formerly Adobe Flash Professional); the resulting [[SWF]] files were used directly by the GFx libraries, providing similar functionality to the [[Software:Adobe Flash Player|Adobe Flash Player]] but optimized for use within [[Software:Game engine|game engine]]s.

Scaleform GFx supported all major platforms, including game consoles, mobile and PC operating systems.<ref name="Platforms"/> Scaleform provides APIs for direct communication between Flash content and the game engine, and pre-built integrations for popular engines such as [[Software:Unity (game engine)|Unity]], [[Unreal Engine]], and CryENGINE.<ref name="b1">[https://books.google.com/books?id=ui5m7AlIbZIC&dq=Scaleform+GFx&pg=PT926 Unreal Development Kit Game Design Cookbook], Packt Publishing Ltd, 22-Feb-2012</ref><ref name="b2">[https://books.google.com/books?id=AZ8LAAAAQBAJ&dq=Scaleform+GFx&pg=PA509 UDK Game Development], Cengage Learning, 2012</ref><ref name="b3">[https://books.google.com/books?id=7M9XAqgu2j8C&dq=Scaleform+GFx&pg=PA199 Beginning iOS 3D Unreal Games Development], Apress, 04-Apr-2012</ref><ref name="b4">[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</ref><ref name="b5">[https://books.google.com/books?id=nbcLAAAAQBAJ&dq=Scaleform+GFx&pg=PA39 Game Coding Complete],</ref><ref name="b6">[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</ref> Scaleform GFx could also be licensed for use as a standalone Flash [[Runtime system|runtime system]] on mobile platforms,<ref>{{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}}</ref> competing with [[Software:Adobe AIR|Adobe AIR]].

==Features==
Scaleform GFx contains several core systems, including:
*a GPU-accelerated rendering engine for display objects, featuring a vector-to-triangle [[Tessellation (computer graphics)|tessellation]] engine with an edge [[Spatial anti-aliasing|anti-aliasing]] algorithm that uses subpixel triangles to smooth the edges
*mesh rendering backends for [[Software:DirectX|DirectX]] and [[Software:OpenGL|OpenGL]] APIs
*a mesh cache to manage tessellated triangle data
*a vector-graphic based [[Computer font|font]] system that uses a single texture to dynamically cache [[Character (computing)|glyphs]] on demand
*support for all major Flash display classes including Sprite, MovieClip, TextField and Filters (Glow, Bevel, DropShadow, etc.)
*optimized ActionScript 3<ref name="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|title=Scaleform GFx 4 Supports Flash 10 AS3|accessdate=2010-10-01}}</ref> and ActionScript 2 virtual machines with [[Garbage collection (computer science)|garbage collector]], as well as GFx-specific ActionScript extensions<ref>[http://gameware.autodesk.com/documents/sf_4.2_AS3_extensions.pdf Scaleform 4.2 Extensions], [[Company:Autodesk|Autodesk]]</ref>
*audio support via a licensee-implementable C++ interface, with a default implementation supporting [[Software:FMOD|FMOD]]<ref>[http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/features/audio Features. Audio] gameware.autodesk.com {{dead link|date=January 2024}}</ref>

===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.<ref name="Scaleform 3Di">{{cite web|author=Kris Graft|publisher=Gamasutra|url= http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27995/New_Scaleform_Version_Released_Supports_3D_Menus_For_Console_Games.php|title=New Scaleform Supports 3D Menus|accessdate=2010-04-07}}</ref>}}
{{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.<ref>http://gameware.autodesk.com/scaleform/tools</ref>}}
{{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 [[Finance:Massively multiplayer online role-playing game|MMO]] UI, [[Software:First-person shooter|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 [[Software:Adobe Scout|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 [[Company:CRI Middleware|CRI Movie]].)}}
{{term|Scaleform 3Di}}
{{defn|Fully integrated [[Input method|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 ''[[Software:Counter-Strike: Global Offensive|Counter-Strike]]'', prior to the game switching to Valve's in-house Panorama UI.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.counter-strike.net/index.php/2018/08/20738/|title = Counter-Strike: Global Offensive}}</ref>)
*Unreal Engine 3<ref name="Unreal Engine">{{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}}</ref> and UDK<ref name="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}}</ref>
*Crytek CryEngine 2<ref name="CryEngine">{{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}}</ref> and CryEngine 3
*[[Software:Gamebryo|Emergent Gamebryo]]<ref name="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}}</ref> and LightSpeed<ref name="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 }}</ref>
*Sony PhyreEngine
*[[Company:Terminal Reality#Infernal Engine|Infernal Engine]]
*[[Company:BigWorld|BigWorld]]
*[[Software:HeroEngine|HeroEngine]]
*Trinigy Vision Engine
*Instinct Technology
*[[Software:LithTech|LithTech]]
*[[Software:Rockstar Advanced Game Engine|RAGE]] (used in the game ''[[Software:Grand Theft Auto V|Grand Theft Auto V]]'' for user interface elements including the map)
*RedEngine

===Other middleware===
*[[Company:CRI Middleware|CRI Movie]]<ref name="CRI Movie">{{cite web|author=Chris Remo|publisher=Gamasutra|url= http://www.gamasutra.com/news/design/?story=22691|date=2009-03-12|title=Scaleform announces CRI video codec partnership|accessdate=2009-08-14}}</ref>
*[[Software:FMOD|FMOD]]
*GameSpy<ref name="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}}</ref>
*Raknet

==See also==
* [[Software:Autodesk Gameware|Autodesk Gameware]]
* [[Software:Gameswf|gameswf]]

==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 [[Social:MobyGames|MobyGames]]
* [http://www.mobygames.com/company/scaleform-corporation Scaleform] on [[Social:MobyGames|MobyGames]]
* [http://www.linkedin.com/companies/scaleform Scaleform] on [[Company:LinkedIn|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}}

[[Category:3D graphics software]]
[[Category:C++ software]]
[[Category:Video game development software]]

{{Sourceattribution|Scaleform GFx}}