Importing Graphics into Flash

Drawing in Flash takes time and practice to achieve the exact look that you want. However, if you already have a graphic that you want to use, Flash has the ability to import graphics of different types, namely JPEG, GIF, and BMP. These graphics are usually the ones that you encounter on a typical website, and can be edited in graphics programs such as Adobe Photoshop.

1. Create a new Flash movie by selecting File > New and choosing Flash Document under the General tab.

2. Create a keyframe (F6) in the first frame of the first layer.

3. Next, go to File > Import to Stage.

4. Choose the graphics file that you want to show up on the Flash stage and click OK.

5. The graphic will be placed in the middle of the stage and it is treated as a semi-Graphic symbol, meaning that you can create a motion tween animation right away without having to convert it into a Graphic symbol first.

 

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Note: Even though you can create a motion tween right away, you may not alter its alpha blending (transparency) and perform other related actions to achieve the same fade-in effect as with true symbols. Therefore, it is best to convert imported graphics into Graphic symbols (by selecting it and pressing F8) right away, so that the full options will be made available.

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Because you are manipulating bitmapped images that are not vectors, the file size of this Flash movie will usually be much higher than a vector-only based Flash animation. Keep this in mind when you are developing for a high traffic website, as you would want to keep the download sizes to a minimum.

click next chapter - Introduction to ActionScript