Flash 101 (part 6): The Final Countdown - Pretty Pictures From Elsewhere (
Page 6 of 7 )
In
addition to importing sound clips, Flash also allows you to import images
created in other applications and use them in your Flash movie. Flash 5 has
support for Adobe Illustrator EPS files, AutoCAD DXF files, bitmaps, GIFs,
JPEGs, PNG images, and its own SWF format - all of these can be imported into
Flash via the File -> Import command. Imported images appear in the Library
with the other symbols you've created.
Since bitmaps are typically quite
large, they can substantially increase the file size of your Flash movie - and
so, Flash allows you to convert imported bitmaps into more efficient vector
graphics with the Modify -> Trace Bitmap command.
The Trace Bitmap
command does exactly what the name suggests - it traces the bitmap image and
colours to create an accurate rendering of it in vector format. Typically, the
final vector image lacks the fidelity of the original, but is still acceptable
for use on the Web.
Flash also allows you some degree of control over the
trace process, by specifying attributes such as Color Threshold (whether or not
to consider pixels with similar color values as the same) and Curve Fit (how
smooth curves should be). You'll have to experiment with different values until
you find a setting that works for your specific bitmap.
Once the bitmap has been converted to a vector graphic,
you can manipulate it in exactly the same way as you would other objects on the
stage - convert it to a symbol, alter its colour and shape, scale it, rotate it,
and skew it.
Flash also allows you to use imported bitmaps as a fill - to
do this, use the Modify -> Break Apart command instead. This will break the
bitmap apart into separate segments of colour. Next, select the Eyedropper tool,
and you should see the broken-apart bitmap in the list of available fills.
Select the fill, and then use the drawing and painting tools to draw and paint
with that fill. The following example demonstrates filling an ellipse with a
bitmap fill.
This article copyright Melonfire 2001. All rights
reserved.
