Chapter 5. Importing, Using, and Optimizing Graphics

You aren't limited to using only the graphics you create in Flash in your movies; you also can import a wide variety of graphic formats. Table 5.1 lists the standard file types you can import for both the Windows and Macintosh platforms.

Table 5.1. Standard File Types of Flash 5 Imports

Format File	Extension	Platform
Adobe Illustrator 6.0 or earlier	.eps, .ai	Both
AutoCad DXF	.dxf	Both
FreeHand	.fh7 “.fh9	Both
FutureSplash	.spl	Both
GIF and animated GIF	.gif	Both
JPEG	.jpg	Both
PNG	.png	Both
Flash Player	.swf	Both
Bitmap	.bmp	Windows
Enhanced Windows Metafile	.emf	Windows
PICT	.pct, pic	Macintosh

If you have QuickTime 4 (http://www.quicktime.com/) or later installed, you also can import the formats in Table 5.2 for either platform.

Table 5.2. Formats Flash 5 Imports with QuickTime Installed

Format File	Extension	Platform
MacPaint	.pntg	Both
Photoshop	.psd	Both
PICT (for Windows as bitmap)	.pct, pic	Both
QuickTime Image	.qtif	Both
QuickTime Movie	.mov	Both
Silicon Graphics	.sai	Both
TGA	.tfg	Both
TIFF	.tiff, .tif	Both

That's a lot of potential formats to work with. No matter what type of graphics you use in a Flash movie, you need to understand how to optimize your graphics to keep your file size low and your playback fast.

In this chapter, you'll take a look at the following:

• Optimizing bitmaps for use in Flash. You learn the tips and tricks that help you make the best use of bitmaps in Flash.

• Converting bitmaps to vector graphics. Sometimes, you can keep your file size small by converting bitmaps to vector graphics. You learn what types of bitmaps lend themselves to this type of treatment.

• Monitoring memory and CPU usage. When you start combining bitmap and vector graphics, you need to pay special attention to how your movie is affecting memory and CPU usage. You learn how to monitor your CPU usage and modify your files to improve performance.

• Importing vector graphics from other programs. Learn how to import SWF files that are created in third-party programs.

• Importing artwork from Adobe Illustrator and Macromedia FreeHand. Illustrator and FreeHand both produce vector graphics that you easily can import into Flash. You learn the ins and outs of importing graphics from these two programs.

• Using the Bandwidth Profiler and Size Report. Learn how the Bandwidth Profiler and Size Report can help you pin down potential trouble spots in the playback of your movie.

You begin by taking a look at how you can optimize bitmaps for use in Flash.