Flash 8 Cookbook

2.2. Importing Content from Freehand MX

Problem

You want to import content from Freehand MX.

Solution

Import the Freehand file directly into Flash.

Discussion

As with Fireworks and Flash, Freehand and Flash have fairly good cross-support. You can import Freehand files (Version 7 up to Version 11) directly into Flash without having to export first or save in an intermediate format. One of the nice advantages that Freehand sometimes offers over Fireworks is that it provides a better way to create complex vector artwork for use in Flash. For example, if you attach text to a path in Fireworks and then import that into Flash, Flash will need to rasterize the text. With Freehand, however, you can achieve effects like text that follows a path, but Flash will be able to import it as vectorized artwork (though still not as editable text.)

To import Freehand content into Flash, complete the following steps:

1. Create your Freehand file and save it.

2. Open or create a Flash document.

3. Choose File → Import → Import to Stage if you want to import the content both to the library and to the stage at the same time. Otherwise, if you want to import the content to the library only, choose File → Import → Import to Library. If you import to the stage, you’ll be able to remove it from the stage if you want to at a later time.

4. In the Import dialog box, navigate to the Freehand file you want to import, select it, and click Open.

5. In the Freehand Import dialog box, you are prompted for several options:

   1. Freehand uses a pages ...