# Editing swf files! **URL:** \ **Category:** flash\ **Created:** [December 20, 2002, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/editing-swf-files/9926 "2002-12-20T23:07:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@cookie](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/cookie)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/editing-swf-files/9926/1 "2002-12-20T23:07:58Z")
Hi is there anyway of converting a swf file into a fla file that can be editied? I’m thinking that this would be a very useful wasy of learning how people create their cool effects! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 1:17am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/editing-swf-files/9926/2 "2002-12-21T01:17:14Z")
No. Look for open source instead. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 6:52pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/editing-swf-files/9926/3 "2002-12-21T18:52:24Z")
You can purchase \Sothink SWF Decompiler MX 2002 Pro build 20912\ from [Sothink](http://www.sothink.com). This tool does not create fla. out of other peoples work. It enables you to access all AS that is not external from the swf file you have decomplied. It does a whole lot more too. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 8:13pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/editing-swf-files/9926/4 "2002-12-21T20:13:14Z")
Yeah decompilers allow you to steal other peoples hard worked out code without their permission :-\ IMO. I don’t agree with them. That is just me though. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 8:21pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/editing-swf-files/9926/5 "2002-12-21T20:21:13Z")
I agree. If people don’t offer their fla, it’s probably that they don’t want to share the code. But I don’t see why you would need to decompile anything with all the open sources on the net. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 8:23pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/editing-swf-files/9926/6 "2002-12-21T20:23:06Z")
Yeah, that is true too Ilyas. There is open source for almost anything in Flash…lol. And yes, some people will argue that Flash should be open source, but I argue that many people work hard, study and practice to achieve the effects they get, I can understand why they don’t want other people to just copy and paste it when it took them so long to do on their own. That is why I disagree with them. I am pro open source though. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 8:28pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/editing-swf-files/9926/7 "2002-12-21T20:28:56Z")
Yes, I agree… I do however use a decompiler on occasion, when a client gives me a swf that was created by someone else who has become one with the cosmic ether… They usually want me to edit a Flash banner/ad, it usually involves text changes, and maybe a GetURL change. Which it does very nicely… If used without the intent of theft, then the prog is cool. I believe in open source, but not plagerizing other works… If used to inspire, and learn, then I say no harm done… JMHO Rev ![](http://www.aulman.com/rev.gif) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 8:36pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/editing-swf-files/9926/8 "2002-12-21T20:36:45Z")
Yes, decompilers were created so be able to edit .swf files in case you don’t have the .fla file, but too many people think it is for stealing peoples stuff. If used with good intentions… then that is fine. After all, it is about the only backup tool you can have if you lose your .fla file but have the .swf. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 8:40pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/editing-swf-files/9926/9 "2002-12-21T20:40:58Z")
I completely agree too. I use it to simply understand how others use AS better. I’ve got this reflex action in me that won’t allow me to copy other peoples hard work as I have a deep need to be original. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 8:45pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/editing-swf-files/9926/10 "2002-12-21T20:45:12Z")
Original is the best way to go. Although nothing is really original, it has probably been done before… but as long as you don’t copy it (like the 65,397,214 sites that completely copy 2advanced) then it is fine 🙂