Converting a Bitmap into a Vector

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If you want to convert a bitmap image in Flash to a vector, you can do this by tracing it with the Trace Bitmap command. You can get some pretty good traces. However, the better the trace the larger the file. But it's a great way to produce a quick vector image from a bitmap.

To trace a bitmap, select it and choose Modify ® Trace Bitmap. The Trace Bitmap dialog box opens and displays the following options:

• Color Threshold is the number of colors that will be used. Flash averages the colors to limit the number. The lower the number the more colors used and the larger the file size.

• Minimum Area — This value is the radius that Color Threshold uses to describe adjacent pixels. The smaller the number, the more detail.

• Curve Fit — Determines how smooth the curves are. If the bitmap has smooth curves, select Very Smooth; if there are a lot of angles choose Very Tight.

• Corner Threshold — Similar to the Curves Fit except it refers to only the corners.

Caution 

When you import a JPEG file it has already been compressed. When you export your Flash movie, Flash compresses this image again. JPEGS that are compressed multiple times frequently result in artifacts. To avoid this, select the image and open the Library (F11). From the Library Options pop-up menu choose Properties. The Bitmap Properties dialog box opens; choose Lossless from the Compression drop-down menu, and click OK.

Traces often have far more curves than you need for an acceptable image. To reduce the number of curves in the trace, choose Modify ® Optimize. From the Optimize Curves dialog box, choose the amount of Smoothing you'd like and click OK. A window opens telling you how many curves you started with, how many you have now, and the percentage of reduction.

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