Working With Imported Bitmaps - MACROMEDIA FLASH MX 2004-USING FLASH Use Manual

You can import two-dimensional DXF files into Flash. Flash does not support three-dimensional
DXF files.
Although Flash doesn't support scaling in a DXF file, all imported DXF files produce 12-inch x
12-inch files that you can scale using the Modify > Transform > Scale command. Also, Flash
supports only ASCII DXF files. If your DXF files are binary, you must convert them to ASCII
before importing them into Flash.

Working with imported bitmaps

When you import a bitmap into Flash, you can modify that bitmap and use it in your Flash
document in a variety of ways. You can apply compression and anti-aliasing to imported bitmaps
to control the size and appearance of bitmaps in your Flash applications. See
properties" on page
bitmap fill" on page
Flash lets you break apart a bitmap into editable pixels. The bitmap retains its original detail but
is broken into discrete areas of color. When you break a bitmap apart, you can select and modify
areas of the bitmap with the Flash drawing and painting tools. Breaking apart a bitmap also lets
you sample the bitmap with the Eyedropper tool to use it as a fill. See
on page 141.
You can edit an imported bitmap in Fireworks or another external image editor by starting the
editing application from within Flash. See
To convert a bitmap's image to a vector graphic, you can trace the bitmap. Performing this
conversion enables you to modify the graphic as you do other vector artwork in Flash. See
"Converting bitmaps to vector graphics" on page
If a Flash document displays an imported bitmap at a larger size than the original, the image may
be distorted. Preview imported bitmaps to be sure that images are displayed properly.
Using the Property inspector to work with bitmaps
When you select a bitmap on the Stage, the Property inspector displays the bitmap's symbol name
and its pixel dimensions and position on the Stage. Using the Property inspector, you can assign a
new name to the bitmap, and you can swap an instance of a bitmap—that is, replace the instance
with an instance of another bitmap in the current document.
To display the Property inspector with bitmap properties:
Select an instance of a bitmap on the Stage.
1.
Select Window > Properties.
2.
To assign a new name to a bitmap:
Select the bitmap in the Library panel.
1.
Select Window > Properties if the Property inspector is not visible. Select an instance of the
2.
bitmap on the Stage to view the bitmap properties.
In the Property inspector, enter a new name in the Name text box.
3.
Click OK.
4.
138 Chapter 7: Using Imported Artwork
139. You can apply an imported bitmap as a fill to an object. See
140.
"Editing bitmaps in an external editor" on page
142.
"Setting bitmap
"Applying a
"Breaking apart a bitmap"
140.