.SPL File Extension

FutureSplash Animation

Developer	ABACOM
Popularity	Average rating 3.3 / 5. Vote count: 18
Category	Video Files
Format	.SPL
Cross Platform	Update Soon

What is an SPL file?

The .SPL file extension is associated with FutureSplash, a multimedia animation software. FutureSplash was an early vector-based animation software that later evolved into Macromedia Flash, which is now known as Adobe Flash. The .SPL files contain animation projects created with FutureSplash Animator, including vector graphics, animations, and multimedia content.

More Information.

FutureSplash Animator was released in 1995 by FutureWave Software. It was designed to create vector-based animations and multimedia content for the web, offering a lightweight alternative to bitmap-based graphics. The .SPL file format was used to save these animation projects.

In 1996, FutureWave Software was acquired by Macromedia, which rebranded FutureSplash Animator as Macromedia Flash 1.0. This acquisition marked the beginning of Flash’s rise as a dominant platform for web animations and interactive content.

Origin Of This File.

The .SPL file extension originated from FutureWave Software, the company behind FutureSplash Animator. FutureWave developed the software in the mid-1990s as a tool for creating interactive and animated web content.

File Structure Technical Specification.

The .SPL file format contains vector graphics, timeline information, and multimedia elements such as audio and video.

The structure includes:

Header: Contains metadata about the file, such as version information and file size.
Vector Graphics: Encoded shapes, lines, and colors that form the visual elements of the animation.
Timeline: Information about the sequence and duration of the animation frames.
Multimedia Elements: Embedded audio and video files that are synchronized with the animation.

How to Convert the File?

Windows:

Adobe Animate (formerly Flash Professional):
- Open Adobe Animate.
- Import the .SPL file into Adobe Animate.
- Edit or modify the animation if needed.
- Export the animation to a more modern format like .SWF or .HTML5.
SWF Player:
- Open SWF Player.
- Load the converted .SWF file (if .SPL is already converted to .SWF).
- Play or view the animation.
Web Browsers (with Flash Player support):
- Use a web browser that still supports Flash content (Note: Flash Player is deprecated and disabled by default in most browsers).

Linux:

Web Browsers (with Flash Player support):
- Use a web browser that still supports Flash content.
- Note that Flash Player is deprecated, so support may be limited.
Gnash:
- Gnash is an open-source Flash player.
- It may support .SPL files, but compatibility can be limited.

Mac:

Adobe Animate (formerly Flash Professional):
- Follow the same steps as on Windows.
- Adobe Animate is available for Mac and can import .SPL files.
Web Browsers (with Flash Player support):
- Similar to Windows, use a browser that supports Flash content.
- Flash Player is deprecated and disabled by default.

Android:

Puffin Browser:
- Install Puffin Browser from the Google Play Store.
- Puffin Browser supports Flash content, including .SPL files.
FlashFox Browser:
- FlashFox Browser is another option for viewing Flash content on Android devices.
- It supports .SPL files if Flash content is enabled.

iOS:

Puffin Browser:
- Install Puffin Browser from the App Store.
- Puffin Browser for iOS supports Flash content, including .SPL files.

Others:

Web-Based Flash Emulators (Ruffle):
- Ruffle is an open-source Flash Player emulator that runs in modern web browsers without requiring Flash Player.
- It supports legacy Flash content, including .SPL files.
Archive.org:
- Archive.org hosts a collection of historical Flash content.
- Use Archive.org to access and view .SPL files and other Flash animations.

Advantages And Disadvantages.

Advantages:

Lightweight: Vector graphics are generally smaller in file size compared to bitmap images.
Scalable: Vector-based animations can be resized without losing quality.
Interactive: Supports interactive content, making it suitable for web animations and applications.

Disadvantages:

Compatibility: Modern browsers and platforms have limited support for .SPL files.
Obsolescence: With the decline of Flash and the rise of HTML5, .SPL files have become largely obsolete.
Performance: Complex animations can be resource-intensive, affecting performance on older hardware.

How to Open SPL?

Open In Windows

Adobe Animate: Import the .SPL file and work with it.
Adobe Flash Player: If you have an old version that supports .SPL files.

Open In Linux

Wine: Run Adobe Animate through Wine to open .SPL files.
Lightspark: A Flash player that might support .SPL files.

Open In MAC

Adobe Animate: Use this software to import and edit .SPL files.

Open In Android

No direct support: Use a file conversion tool on a computer to convert .SPL files to a more compatible format like .MP4 or .SWF, which can then be played on Android devices.