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USING FLASH CS4 PROFESSIONAL
Using imported artwork
Importing multiple objects of the same type
If you import multiple objects of the same type, the import options displayed are the same as if a single object of that
type was selected. If the objects do not share the same attributes, the import options displayed are in an indeterminate
state, and your results may not be as expected.
Importing a Group folder
When you import a group folder, you can import it as a movie clip, or place each layer in the group on its own layer
or keyframe on the timeline.
If you select Import As Movie Clip, each layer in the group folder is placed on a layer in a movie clip, which is then
placed on its own layer or keyframe on the timeline. The movie clip uses the same name as that group folder had in
Photoshop, and if you import the movie clip to a Flash layer, the layer uses the same name.
If you do not place the group in a movie clip, each layer is converted to the type that is currently set for it, and each
layer in the group is imported to its own Flash layer. The Flash layers are named for the individual layers in the PSD file.
Importing and merging layers
The PSD Importer lets you merge two or more layers into a merged bitmap that is imported as a single bitmap file
rather than individual objects.
The layers you select to create a merged bitmap must be a continuous range of two or more layers at the same level.
For example, you cannot select one layer inside a group and a layer outside that group, and merge them. Instead, you
must select the entire group and the separate layer.
Setting publish options
The publish settings in the PSD Importer let you specify the degree of compression and document quality to apply to
the image when publishing the Flash document as a SWF file. These settings take effect only when you publish the
document as a SWF file and have no effect on the image when you import it to the Flash Stage or library.
Compression
Lets you choose either lossy or lossless compression formats:
•
Lossy
Lossy (JPEG) compresses the image in JPEG format. To use the default compression quality specified for the
imported image, select Use Publish Setting. To specify a new quality compression setting, select the Custom option
and enter a value between 1 and 100 in the Quality text field. (A higher setting preserves greater image integrity but
yields a larger file size.)
•
Lossless
Lossless (PNG/GIF) compresses the image with lossless compression, in which no data is discarded from
the image.
Note:
Use lossy compression for images with complex color or tonal variations, such as photographs or images with
gradient fills. Use lossless compression for images with simple shapes and relatively few colors.
Calculate Bitmap Size
Determines the number of bitmaps that are created for a given layer based on your import
selections and the compressed size in kilobytes of the resulting bitmaps on the layer. For example, if you select a layer
with a drop shadow and a blur and maintain layer styles, the Calculate Bitmap Size information states that three
bitmaps will result from the import—one for each filter effect and another for the image itself. To calculate the size of
all the bitmaps to be imported, select all of the layers and click Calculate Bitmap Size.
Photoshop file importer preferences
The Flash Preferences dialog box lets you set import preferences for Photoshop PSD files. The preferences you specify
for importing PSD files affect the options the PSD Import dialog box is initially populated with for the Photoshop layer
types.
Updated 5 March 2009