Importing
and Editing Raster Images
To
import a file into Flash:
- Choose FILE/IMPORT.
- In the Import dialog box, choose
a file format from the Show pop-up
menu.
- Navigate to the desired file and
select it.
If an imported file has multiple
layers, Flash might create new layers.
Be sure the Timeline is visible
when importing a file with multiple
layers.
- Click Open.
- If the name of the file you are
importing ends with a number, and
there are additional sequentially
numbered files in the same folder,
Flash asks you whether to import
the sequence of files:
Click Yes to import all of the sequential
files.
Click No to import only the specified
file.
- You can also copy and paste web
images and any other image copied
to the clip board.
Working with bitmap images:
Importing bitmap images into a movie
can increase the movie's file size.
To reduce the file size of a bitmap
image, you can choose a compression
option in the Bitmap Properties dialog
box.
You can edit an imported bitmap by
launching Fireworks or another external
image editor from within Flash.
 Trace
Bitmap Command:
You can trace a bitmap to convert
its image to a vector graphic. Performing
this conversion enables you to modify
the graphic as you do other vector
artwork in Flash, but it will significantly
increase the file size if you use
this command on photographs. This
tool isn't recommended for images
with gradients.
Magic Wand Tool:
You can break apart a bitmap into
editable areas using the keyboard
command CTRL/B. The bitmap retains
its original detail but is broken
into a series of connect pixels. You
can further create discrete areas
of color that you can select and modify
separately with the Flash drawing
and painting tools by using the MAGIC
WAND tool. Breaking apart a bitmap
also lets you use a bitmap as a fill
to paint objects.
 To
use the magic wand tool:
- Break the image apart using CONTROL/B
from the keyboard.
- Select the LASSO tool from the
toolbar.
- Select the MAGIC WAND tool from
the toolbar OPTIONS MENU.
- Click on the areas you want to
select.
- You may need to adjust the options
to fine tune your selection area.
If a Flash movie displays an imported
bitmap at a larger size than the original,
the image may be distorted. Preview
imported bitmaps to be sure that images
display properly. |
