Import Photoshop Files Into Flash CS3
In the last tutorial, we took a look at the various options you have when importing vector, shape, text and layer styled PhotoshopR images in to FlashR Professional CS3. If you remember, these Photoshop layers can still be edited after importing into Flash. Also you can automatically convert a layer into a movie clip symbol. But, that is only half of the story.
For the rest of the story, we will use the same image from the last tutorial which has these four layers.
1. Bitmap layer with layer style
2. Vector text layer without layer style
3. Vector shape layer with layer style
4. Bitmap layer without layer style
Choose Your Layers
To import an image into Flash, click File, Import to Stage. This will open the Import to Stage dialog box. At the upper left, you will see a hierarchical representation of the layers of the Photoshop image. When we compare this list with the Layers Panel in Photoshop., you can see that Flash has kept the Photoshop layer hierarchy intact. The small icons at the right in each layer will help you remember the layer's contents and you can put a checkmark in the box for each layer that you wish to import. This is a nice feature when you are at the mockup stage. You can use several different layer combinations to create Flash movie mockups from this one source file.
Publish Settings
We have already discussed the import options for each of these layers. Now, let's take a look at the Publish Settings. Go to the right side of the panel just under where we set the import options in the last tutorial and you will see the Publish Settings drop-down menu. This section of the dialog box works much like the Save for Web and Devices feature in Photoshop. Your choices are Lossy and Lossless. Lossy will convert the layer into a JPEG image. Choose this option from the menu and then click on the Calculate Bitmap Size button. Flash will calculate the compressed size of this layer. The Lossless option will convert the layer into a PNG image. Choose this option and calculate again. Depending on the image and your purpose, choose the one that is best for your needs.
Continue
For the rest of the story, we will use the same image from the last tutorial which has these four layers.
1. Bitmap layer with layer style
2. Vector text layer without layer style
3. Vector shape layer with layer style
4. Bitmap layer without layer style
Choose Your Layers
To import an image into Flash, click File, Import to Stage. This will open the Import to Stage dialog box. At the upper left, you will see a hierarchical representation of the layers of the Photoshop image. When we compare this list with the Layers Panel in Photoshop., you can see that Flash has kept the Photoshop layer hierarchy intact. The small icons at the right in each layer will help you remember the layer's contents and you can put a checkmark in the box for each layer that you wish to import. This is a nice feature when you are at the mockup stage. You can use several different layer combinations to create Flash movie mockups from this one source file.
Publish Settings
We have already discussed the import options for each of these layers. Now, let's take a look at the Publish Settings. Go to the right side of the panel just under where we set the import options in the last tutorial and you will see the Publish Settings drop-down menu. This section of the dialog box works much like the Save for Web and Devices feature in Photoshop. Your choices are Lossy and Lossless. Lossy will convert the layer into a JPEG image. Choose this option from the menu and then click on the Calculate Bitmap Size button. Flash will calculate the compressed size of this layer. The Lossless option will convert the layer into a PNG image. Choose this option and calculate again. Depending on the image and your purpose, choose the one that is best for your needs.
Continue
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