Home > Articles > Graphics & Web Design > Dreamweaver & Flash

This chapter is from the book

Importing Vector Graphics

There may be times when you have an existing vector graphic that you need to include in a Flash movie. Typically, such a vector graphic is likely to be geometric—although not necessarily. Regardless of the exact form of the vector graphic, unless it's super complicated, you'll be able to import it into Flash.

Importing from a File

One way to incorporate other graphics into Flash is to import them from a file. It's as simple as selecting File, Import to open the Import menu and then pointing to the file you want, as shown in Figure 3.1. You see several file types listed, but that doesn't mean they all work equally well. Not only are several image file formats listed (both raster and vector), but video and audio file formats also appear. Let's first look at the vector image formats that are available for import.

Although many file types are listed in the Import dialog box, only three vector formats are worth considering: FreeHand (.FH11 through .FH7), Illustrator (.ai), and Flash Player (.swf). It used to be that the best option was FreeHand, but the support for Illustrator was expanded in Flash MX 2004—so all three of these formats appear to work equally well. Occasionally, complex data in FreeHand or Illustrator won't translate perfectly. Because of this limit, you might get the best results if you export a .swf (Flash Player) file from Illustrator or FreeHand. We'll discuss how this choice affects importing later in this hour, in the section "Importing Flash Player Files" (because it limits some of your options).

Figure 3.1Figure 3.1 Importing images (or audio) is as simple as selecting the file you want to import.

Importing FreeHand and Illustrator Files

Flash can seamlessly import FreeHand and Illustrator source files. If you're familiar with these tools, using them is probably the best way to import vector art into Flash. It's simply a matter of selecting File, Import in Flash and then selecting a file to import. In fact, you have to decide whether you want to import to the Stage or import to a Library. We'll cover the Library in Hour 5, "Using the Library for Productivity." The last option under File, Import is Open External Library, which won't be needed until Hour 23, "Working on Large Projects and in Team Environments." When you select File, Import, Import to Stage, you are presented with one of the two Import dialog box (depending on whether you imported a FreeHand or Illustrator file) shown in Figures 3.2 and 3.3.

Several options are available when you import Illustrator or FreeHand documents into Flash. For example, you can turn pages into keyframes or scenes. Flash just needs to know how you want to handle pages. All the options are fairly easy to interpret and are selected when you import a file into Flash. (Also, you'll see the same set of options when importing Adobe Acrobat files—PDFs.)

Here are some tips to help you import drawings into Flash. First, if you use FreeHand, be sure to take advantage of FreeHand's symbols because they translate directly to Flash's symbols so that graphics can be recycled. You'll learn about symbols and Flash's Library in Hour 5. Also, each object created in FreeHand should be separated into its own layer. Although you can easily put multiple objects on one layer, the file will import better if you create multiple layers.

Figure 3.2Figure 3.2 When you import a FreeHand file, Flash provides this dialog box.

Figure 3.3Figure 3.3 Illustrator's Import Options dialog box includes a similar set of import options to FreeHand's.

There are many text effects that you can create in FreeHand and Illustrator that don't translate to Flash. For example, text attached to paths doesn't remain editable when a file is imported into Flash. Also, because only FreeHand supports strokes on text, Flash ignores this effect. Fine adjustments to font sizes and kerning are possible in FreeHand and Illustrator, but they don't work as well in Flash, so font spacing often changes slightly when a file is imported into Flash. Sometimes text automatically converts to paths (which means it isn't be editable when it gets into Flash). You'll learn about converting to outlines as a solution to some text problems later in this hour, in the section "Maintaining Image Integrity." These are just some general tips. Creating the smallest, best-looking image that imports seamlessly into Flash might take some additional experimenting in either FreeHand or Illustrator.

Importing Flash Player Files

The most reliable option for importing vector graphics into Flash (besides, possibly, simply importing native FreeHand files) is to import Flash Player (.swf) files. Most graphics people don't think of .swf as an image file format, but it's certainly a standard. Of course, a .swf is not like a FreeHand file or an Illustrator file because it's not fully editable. When using newer versions of FreeHand and Illustrator (Illustrator 8 requires the free Macromedia Flash Writer plug-in), you can export your working files into the .swf format. They export amazingly well: The final files are smaller, and the image retains all the details and quality of the original.

The best process is to create a graphic in whatever program you prefer and then if that program doesn't export .swfs, open the file in a program that does (such as FreeHand, Illustrator, Fireworks, or many others, found in Appendix B, "Resources"). Then simply export it as a .swf. You can then import it directly into a movie. Even if the graphics program you use doesn't support exporting .swf files, you can open the file in a tool that does and export a .swf from there. This means that the graphics tool you select must export files in a format that is supported by the tool you use to export .swf files.

If you have trouble with the process of exporting .swf files from the graphics program and importing into Flash, you can try several remedies. First, you can investigate the export options in the graphics program. In Figure 3.4, you can see dialog boxes that appear when you export .swf files. You should notice some similarities between the options. Experimenting with these options is a good place to start.

In addition to exporting to .swf files, there are a few specific techniques you can try (covered in the section "Maintaining Image Integrity," later in this hour). Ultimately, however, the solution sometimes involves making the graphic simpler—that is, reducing its complexity.

Although exporting a .swf for Flash to import is the safest bet, it means elements such as text will not be editable inside Flash. Naturally, you could do the text layout in Flash—but that might not be ideal for your purposes. I guess the point is that .swf importing is the safest bet but not always the most complete option.

Figure 3.4Figure 3.4 When exporting a .swf file from FreeHand or Illustrator, you're given one of these dialog boxes.

Maintaining Image Integrity

Despite how simple the export/import process may sound, it can be very frustrating when it doesn't work! I don't want to sound like a broken record, but the best way to maintain image quality is to create all your graphics inside Flash. When you must import an existing graphic or use a more advanced drawing tool, you can do several things to maintain image integrity. However, some of these tips are unnecessary when you're exporting .swf files from either Illustrator or FreeHand.

Font and text effects are usually the first things to go. Most drawing tools provide incredible font control, but Flash doesn't. The first consideration with text is whether the text must be editable within Flash. If you don't need to edit the text within Flash, you'll see the highest-quality results if the text is first converted to paths. You are given an option to do this automatically when exporting .swf files from FreeHand, and it doesn't affect the source FreeHand file—just the exported .swf. FreeHand's Convert to Paths feature is the same as Illustrator's Create Outlines and is equivalent to Flash's Break Apart option under the Modify menu. Of course, you'll never be able to edit the text after you use one of these options, so you should save a backup first. In addition, this can tend to increase file size. We'll look at file size issues in much greater detail in Hour 21, "Optimizing a Flash Site."

If you use gradients, you should definitely consider using the Export .swf option. Using this option helps keep the file size down and performance speed up (rather than simply retaining quality). A simple gradient, for example, is likely to include a separate circle for each step. Imagine hundreds of concentric circles, each varying only slightly in color and size. You can see this effect when you pick up and move an imported graphic that has this characteristic, as in Figure 3.5. It's easy to see that such a gradient creates a larger file that plays relatively slowly—it's simply more complicated than it needs to be. When you export .swf files from Illustrator or FreeHand, the gradients are converted to Flash gradients. (In Hour 4, "Applied Advanced Drawing Techniques," you'll learn how to create and edit gradients in Flash.)

Figure 3.5Figure 3.5 Often an imported graphic is much bigger than it needs to be. This seemingly innocuous gradient is actually lots of individual concentric circles.

Going Back and Forth Between Flash and Other Vector Programs

Say you import a graphic created in a program other than Flash, edit it in Flash, and then decide you need to touch it up again in the original program. Doing this is not unreasonable or unexpected, but it doesn't work too well. Because this often fails to work, it's fair to question whether it's really necessary. Of course, if you just use Flash to create graphics, you'll avoid this situation—but the other drawing tool was probably chosen because it is more sophisticated than Flash. If the other tool is so great, you might want to start over in that tool rather than try to import the modified Flash graphic.

The best way to export an editable vector graphic from Flash is as an Adobe Illustrator .ai file. In the simplest case, you need to export just a still frame. For this, in Flash you can select File, Export Image to open the Export Image dialog box and then select Adobe Illustrator from the Save as Type drop-down list. You can then open the file in any drawing tool that supports .ai files (including Illustrator and FreeHand). I can't promise that this will work without fail, but it seems to work better than other options.

I've used a lot of techniques, and the only thing that is consistent is that you should test several options until you find one that works well.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020