77
USING FLASH CS4 PROFESSIONAL
Using imported artwork
Object Type column
An icon indicates what the Flash object type located on that layer will be when imported and, if
visible, that the item is selected. The object types are:
•
Text
•
Path
•
Group
•
Movie clip
•
Graphic symbol
•
Image
Text import options
Flash lets you import text as editable text, vector outlines, or a flattened bitmap. To maintain supported blend modes,
AI effects, and transparency of less than 100% between Illustrator and Flash, import text as a movie clip. Importing
text as a movie clip preserves the editability of compatible visual effects.
Editable Text
By default, Illustrator text imports as editable Flash text. The appearance of the text can be compromised
to maintain the editability of the text.
Vector Outlines
Converts text to vector paths. Use this option to preserve the visual appearance of the text. Some visual
effects might be sacrificed—such as unsupported blend modes and filters—but visual attributes such as text on a path
are maintained if the text is imported as a movie clip. The text itself is no longer editable, but opacity and compatible
blend modes maintain their editability.
Note:
To preserve the drop shadow, inner glow, outer glow, and Gaussian blur that AI effects applied to text as editable
Flash filters, select Create Movie Clip Import to import the text as a movie clip.
Bitmap
Rasterizes the text into a bitmap to preserve the exact appearance of the text as it was in Illustrator. If filters or
other effects are applied that are not compatible with Flash, importing the text as a bitmap preserves the visual
appearance. Rasterized text is no longer editable.
Path import options
A path is the line that results from drawing in Illustrator. A path is either open, like an arc, or closed, like a circle. For
an open path, the starting and ending anchor points for the path are called endpoints. Editable paths can be imported
into Flash, however, if certain blend modes, filters, or other effects are applied to the path, those effects might not be
compatible with Flash.
Bitmap
Rasterizes the path into a bitmap to preserve the exact appearance of the path in Illustrator. A rasterized image
is no longer editable.
Editable Path
Creates an editable vector path. Supported blend modes, effects, and object transparency are preserved,
but attributes not supported in Flash are discarded.
Image import options
Bitmap images are the most common electronic medium for continuous-tone images, such as photographs or digital
paintings. Illustrator creates bitmap effects by using filters, effects, and graphic styles. While many of these effects are
compatible with Flash, some might need to be flattened—or rasterized—to preserve their visual appearance.
Updated 5 March 2009
