How to Convert Flash Courses to HTML5 Efficiently

 In Design, E-learning

Are you looking for effortless conversion of your flash-based elearning to HTML5? Can there be a one-click conversion of Flash courses to HTML5? Well, YES and NO.

The answer requires you to classify your Flash-based Elearning on criteria of the elearning development tools used to create it in the first place.

Flash SWF Course files created Using Bespoke Adobe Flash FLA:

Mostly, these cannot be quickly converted to HTML5 elearning. For most parts, they will need to recreated using newer elearning development tools. Some assets can be extracted from published SWF output, more assets can be extracted if you have the FLA files. A one-to-one conversion is out of question and even if you do not intend or require a redesign, most slides will have to recreated. You could however record your elearning as MP4 and distribute it without interactivity.

Flash SWF Course Output published Earlier Versions of Elearning Development Tools:

(If the Flash-based SWF output was created using earlier version of elearning development tools such as Articulate Presenter, Studio 07, Storyline 1 or 2, Adobe Presenter, Captivate, Lectora, etc. which did not publish to HTML5 then, but do publish to HTML5 today.)

Scenario A: You have only the published SWF output

For most parts, these need to recreated again using an HTML5 publishing elearning tool; some assets like voiceover scripts may be extracted using Optical Character Reading software but a one-to-one conversion is not possible.

Scenario B: You have all the elearning development tool source files

Depending on the nature of the source files, PPT, .STORY, .CPTX etc, you may be able to convert these to HTML5 if the latest versions of the same software offer backward compatibility and upgrade your source files. For example, Storyline 1 files can be upgraded to Storyline 3 files; PPTX files can published using Studio 13 and so on. The more recent version of source files you have, the better the chance that you could quickly convert these to HTML5 using the latest software to republish old courses.

What are the FILES you should collate to begin your flash to HTML5 conversion?

Published Output: Mostly they will be SWF files in a folder or if you are lucky, these could also hold HTML5 mobile content files if the course was published to a dual standard

Source Files (Elearning Development Tool): .FLA files if you used Adobe Flash to create the course. Articulate Presenter, Engage, Quizmaker, Captivate, Lectora, etc files. PPT/PPTX/PPTA files if you converted a PowerPoint presentation to elearning.

Media Assets: Custom media assets created softwares such as Illustrator, Photoshop, Corel Draw; Audio file recording in .wav or mp3 format

Source Content: Storyboards,  audio recording scripts, job aids, etc.

When you have collated all the source files, you are ready to begin your Flash to HTML5 conversion.

Flash to HTML5 Elearning: Costs vs. Benefits

How to Reduce Flash-to-HTML5 Conversion Costs

How to Refine your Flash courses in HTML5 Conversions

Recent Posts

Leave a Comment