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USING FLASH CS4 PROFESSIONAL
Video
If you use After
Effects to edit and composite video, you can then use Flash to publish that video. You can also export
an After
Effects composition as XFL content for further editing in Flash.
For video tutorials about using Flash together with After
Effects, see the following:
•
“Importing and exporting XFL files between Flash and After
Effects” at
www.adobe.com/go/lrvid4098_xp
.
•
“Exporting an After
Effects composition to Flash Professional using SWF, F4V/FLV, and XFL” at
www.adobe.com/go/lrvid4105_xp
.
•
“Converting metadata and markers to cue points for use in Flash” at
www.adobe.com/go/lrvid4111_xp
.
Exporting QuickTime video from Flash
If you create animations or applications with Flash, you can export them as QuickTime movies using the File
> Export
> Export Movie command in Flash. For a Flash animation, you can optimize the video output for animation. For a
Flash application, Flash renders video of the application as it runs, allowing the user to manipulate it. This lets you
capture the branches or states of your application that you want to include in the video file.
Rendering and exporting FLV and F4V files from After Effects
When you render finished video from After
Effects, select FLV or F4V as the output format to render and export video
that can play in Flash Player. You can then import the FLV or F4V file into Flash and publish it in a SWF file, which
can be played by Flash Player.
Importing and publishing video in Flash
When you import an FLV or F4V file into Flash, you can use various techniques, such as scripting or Flash
components, to control the visual interface that surrounds your video. For example, you might include playback
controls or other graphics. You can also add graphic layers on top of the FLV or F4V file for composite results.
Composite graphics, animation, and video
Flash and After
Effects each include many capabilities that allow you to perform complex compositing of video and
graphics. Which application you choose to use will depend on your personal preferences and the type of final output
you want to create.
Flash is the more web-oriented of the two applications, with its small final file size. Flash also allows for run-time
control of animation. After
Effects is oriented toward video and film production, provides a wide range of visual
effects, and is generally used to create video files as final output.
Both applications can be used to create original graphics and animation. Both use a timeline and offer scripting
capabilities for controlling animation programmatically. After
Effects includes a larger set of effects, while the Flash
ActionScript® language is the more robust of the two scripting environments.
Both applications allow you to place graphics on separate layers for compositing. These layers can be turned on and
off as needed. Both also allow you to apply effects to the contents of individual layers.
In Flash, composites do not affect the video content directly; they affect only the appearance of the video during
playback in Flash Player. In contrast, when you composite with imported video in After
Effects, the video file you
export actually incorporates the composited graphics and effects.
Because all drawing and painting in After
Effects is done on layers separate from any imported video, it is always non-
destructive. Flash has both destructive and nondestructive drawing modes.
Updated 5 March 2009