Learning Flash CS4 Professional

Chapter 4. IMPORTING GRAPHICS

Introduction

Chapter 2 focused on drawing vector graphics within Flash, a common skill you will need for many projects. In many cases, you may also require bitmap graphics, such as those created in Adobe Photoshop, or you may need to import vector graphics that originated in Adobe Illustrator or another drawing application. This chapter describes how you can use these assets, and provides a few related workflow tips. You’ll also learn a few techniques for creating animations from imported assets.

Importing Graphics

As the chapter progresses, you’ll see that Flash supports the importing of a wide variety of graphic file formats. For simplicity, however, the import process is initiated the same way for all formats. Regardless of file format, you need only invoke a menu command and choose one or more files from a standard operating system file browser. Flash then presents the appropriate import dialog based on the chosen file type.

You will most likely want to import the file directly to the Stage (File→Import→Import to Stage). With an unlocked layer selected in the Timeline, importing a standard graphic file places the imported asset on the Stage, adds it to the active layer and frame, and places it in the Library. Flash support for native file formats, such as Adobe Photoshop PSD files, includes additional import options that allow the creation of layers and frames based on the structure of the imported file.

If you don’t plan to use the asset immediately, ...