swfir: Flash based image replacement March 8
This is another interesting implementation of flash that is similar to SIFR (flash based text replacement). It allow the designer to implement and combine a small group of image filters such as rounded corners, borders, drop shadow as well as allowing users to scale images within an elastic image. It does all of this in a light weight script that degrades gracefully.
I really like to see these unconventional ways of using flash. It really gives flash a new life even with web standards based designers and search engine optimizers alike. Flash does not have to be a resource hog that takes forever to download and can really bring some extra punch to your design.
Another great use for this is with in a content management application so that you could use CSS and SWFIR to dynamically alter all images with a give tag very quickly and unobtrusively to the editor.
Over all I really like this application. I think that this is a great addition to any web designers arsenal .