Flash 8 Cookbook

Chapter 2. Importing and Exporting Artwork

Importing and exporting artwork with Flash may well be one of the least-talked-about features of the application. However, as you’ll read in this chapter, Flash can do a lot of quite powerful import and export functions ranging from importing simple vector artwork to exporting complex, interactive images and HTML.

Before you jump into importing any content, you may want to familiarize yourself with what formats are compatible with Flash. One useful reference, available at Macromedia’s LiveDocs web site (http://livedocs.macromedia.com/flash/flash/8/index.html), provides you with information regarding which formats can be imported into Flash.

2.1. Importing Assets from Fireworks

Problem

You want to import assets from Fireworks into Flash.

Solution

Save the Fireworks PNG, and then use the File → Import option in Flash to import the Fireworks assets.

Discussion

Because Fireworks and Flash are both Macromedia products, they have fairly good cross-support. That means that you can directly import Fireworks .png files (the native Fireworks format) into your Flash documents. When you import PNG content into Flash you get several benefits:

• You don’t have to worry about the hassle of saving to an intermediate step.

• You can preserve vector content as vector when possible.

• Flash can import parts of a PNG as vector and parts as rasterized bitmaps, thus providing the best possible balance between appearance, functionality, and file size.

• Another benefit is that PNG ...