Since Flash is a vector-based program, you'll need to create intricate artwork, photography, and collages with additional software. Once created, you can import it into your Flash document to enhance your presentation. Flash supports a range of image formats for import, which are outlined in Table 8.1. Table 8.1. Image Formats Supported by Flash MX | FORMAT | DESCRIPTION | | JPEG | Standard file format that is used for Web photos and can be compressed. Use image-editing software to compress before importing. | | GIF, BMP | Standard file format that is used for Web graphics and can be compressed. Use image-editing software to compress before importing. | | PNG | Importing PNG files from Macromedia Fireworks produces file sizes equal to or smaller than the formats above. PNG files also provide greater editing flexibility because you can import their layers and frames . | | Macromedia FreeHand/Adobe Illustrator (EPS) | These files can be imported to Flash with their layers, frames, and symbols. | Images affect your final file size . When choosing or creating imagery to be used in Flash, consider the following guidelines: -
Use images only when necessary. Be sure to optimize and compress image files as much as possible before importing them into Flash to keep your file size as low as possible. -
Always convert images into symbols and use symbols as much as pos sible throughout your document. Remember that Flash reads a symbol only once, so your file size doesn't increase when you use the symbol multiple times. -
Scale imagery down to the largest size you'll need within your presentation before importing. For detailed coverage of the functionality and attributes of symbols, see Chapter 3, "Flash Building Blocks."
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