Macromedia Flash (SWF)

Macromedia Flash is a file format for creating and displaying vector-based images and animation. Macromedia Flash files are extremely compact and of high quality, making them ideal for use on the Web.

Before you save a file to the Macromedia Flash file format, you can determine whether the file has potential export problems. You can check the current file and display a summary of errors, possible problems, and a suggestion for resolving the issue. To publish a Macromedia Flash file to the Internet, you must create an HTML file that encapsulates the Macromedia Flash file and specifies browser settings. The required HTML document can be generated automatically.

To export a Macromedia Flash file

Click File

Export.

Locate the folder in which you want to save the file.

Choose SWF – Macromedia Flash from the Save as type list box.

Type a filename in the File name list box.

Click Export.

In the Flash export dialog box, choose values from any of the following list boxes:

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JPG compression — specifies the amount of JPEG file compression

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Resolution (dpi) — specifies the resolution of the image

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Smoothing — tones down differences between adjacent pixels

Enable one of the following options in the Bounding box size area:

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Page — applies the bounding box to the page

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Objects — aligns the bounding box to the objects in the file

Enable any of the following check boxes in the Optimization area:

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Convert dashed outlines — converts dashed outlines to solid lines

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Rounded caps and corners — rounds the corners and endpoints of lines and curves

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Use default fountain steps — lets you use the default number of steps for fountain fills

You can also
Prevent a Macromedia Flash file from being loaded into the Macromedia Flash editor	Enable the File protection from import check box.
Export sounds	Enable the Use sound behaviors check box, and choose a value for the sound compression from the Compression list box.

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The more you compress a sound, the smaller the size and the lower the sound quality.

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You can save the settings in the Flash export dialog box to a preset by clicking the Add preset button

and typing a name in the Setting name box.

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To preview a Macromedia Flash file in a browser, you must have the Macromedia Flash Player plug-in installed on your computer.

To view the issues summary for a Macromedia Flash file

Click File

Export.

Locate the folder in which you want to save the file.

Choose SWF – Macromedia Flash from the Save as type list box.

Type a filename in the File name list box.

Click Export.

In the Flash export dialog box, click the Issues tab.

Click an error or warning in the error list to see the details and suggestions for resolving the issue.

If you want to overlook certain issues, click Settings, and disable the check boxes that correspond to those issues.

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The Issues tab heading indicates the number of issues. The icon on the tab heading changes, depending on the severity of the issue or issues identified.

To publish a Macromedia Flash file to the Web

Click File

Publish to the Web

Flash embedded in HTML.

Locate the folder in which you want to save the file.

Type a filename in the File name list box.

Click Export.

In the Flash export dialog box, click the HTML tab.

Choose a template from the Flash HTML template list box.

Type values in the Width and Height boxes to specify the dimensions of the HTML document in pixels.

If you want to set the movie dimensions relative to the browser window, type percentage values in the Width and Height boxes.

Enable any of the following check boxes:

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Paused at start — pauses the movie until you initiate play

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Loop — repeats the movie when it reaches the last frame

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Display menu — displays a context menu when you right-click the movie

Choose any of the options available in the following list boxes:

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Quality — specifies the level of anti-aliasing

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Window mode — lets you use the absolute positioning, transparent movie, and layering capabilities of Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or later.

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HTML alignment — lets you define the position of the movie within the browser window

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Scale — determines how the movie is placed within the boundaries set in the Width and Height boxes

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You can type values in the Width and Height boxes only when you disable the Match movie check box. Match movie is the default and sets the dimensions of the HTML document to the size of the movie.

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You should have the latest Macromedia Flash Player plug-in installed on your computer to preview a Macromedia Flash file in a browser.

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You can also choose a template by clicking the Open button.

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You can preview a movie in a Web browser window by clicking Preview.

Macromedia Flash (SWF) technical notes

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Macromedia Flash (SWF) files cannot be imported into CorelDRAW.

CorelDRAW