Package SWF into an EXE or APP

Question

I am trying to adjust my Flash development workflow so that I am using Flash Builder for all of my coding and multiple FLA files for the user interfaces. I will be creating an ActionScript project in Flash Builder and then having each FLA export a SWC into a resources folder.

It is important that I retain the ability to export PC and Mac -- EXE and app, respectively -- projector files. Is there a way of doing this with the Flash compiler or any 3rd party tools?

I know that mProjector and similar tools can do this, but I would like a solution that can be automated into my builds.

EDIT 5/14/2010 9:30 AM: One of my options is to use AIR, however...Flash Builder does not let you build an AIR application from an ActionScript project. Another option is to use Zinc...does Zinc have any command line options such that I can include that in my build process?

Answer 1

you should have a look at zinc. also, if the machines you want to run on have AIR installed, you may simply wanna build an AIR app.

Answer 2

There are different options available:

• Use AIR
• Encapsulate your completed project in a fla (setting the document's class to your custom class) and then publish it as win/mac projector
• Use a third-party application to convert swf to native executables. The best known option there is probably zinc

Answer 3

You can build an AIR application from a pure ActionScript project. Apparently it's not as obvious as it should be, but here's one way of doing it:

http://ted.onflash.org/2010/03/air-apps-using-actionscript-only.php

Also the very latest version of AIR (currently in RC stage, so stable enough to use, final version will be released soon) can package the app into an EXE so you don't need to install the AIR framework separately.

AIR packages can also be compiled from the commandline, so should be easy to integrate into a separate build process if you don't want to do it from the Flash Builder GUI.