Tutorial 6 Working with Bitmaps and Gradients, and Publishing Flash Files.

Tutorial 6

Working with Bitmaps and

Gradients, and Publishing Flash Files

XPXPObjectives• Import bitmap graphics into a document• Change a bitmap graphic’s properties• Convert a bitmap graphic to a vector graphic• Create a fade effect animation using bitmaps• Learn about gradients

New Perspectives on Adobe Flash CS3 2

XPXPObjectives• Create and save a new gradient• Use and transform a gradient• Explore and use the Flash Publish settings• Publish a Flash movie• Create a publish profile• Export a Flash graphic• Insert a Flash movie into an existing Web page


XPXPWorking with Bitmaps• Bitmaps appear more natural than vector

graphics• A photograph is an example of a bitmap graphic• Bitmaps are stored as a matrix of pixels• Bitmaps must be imported into a Flash document• A bitmap may be converted into a vector graphic


XPXPImporting Bitmaps• Commands: Import to Stage and Import to

Library• Imported bitmaps are placed in the document

library• Instances of bitmaps can be converted into

symbols• Jenny’s Oyster Hut banner needs two photos of

seafood


XPXPBitmaps in the Library Panel


XPXPSetting a Bitmap’s Properties• Bitmap Properties dialog box• Properties: name, update, compression settings• Compression: Lossless (PNG/GIF), Photo (JPEG)• JPEG Quality range: 0 to 100• Setting bitmap properties in the banner– Apply additional compression to reduce file size– Loss in quality is not discernible due to small bitmap

size


XPXPBitmap Properties Dialog Box


XPXPAnimating Bitmaps• Instances of bitmaps can be animated – Instance on Stage must first be converted to a symbol

• Types of motion tweens applied to bitmaps– Translation, rotation, scaling, and fading

• Fade effects are created by changing alpha amount• Alpha amounts controls image – 0% makes the object completely transparent– 100% makes the object completely opaque


XPXPFade Animation


XPXPMotion Tweens Complete


XPXPConverting a Bitmap to a Vector Graphic• Reasons to convert a bitmap to a vector graphic– Bitmap is geometric in nature– Special effects will be applied to the graphic

• Converting a bitmap to a vector graphic – Go to Modify Bitmap Trace Bitmap– Specify values and set options– Caveat: some color and quality lost in conversion


XPXPConverting a Bitmap to a Vector Graphic


XPXPPuppy Bitmap Converted to a Vector


XPXPUsing Gradients• Gradient: gradual blend or transition of colors• Gradients enhance the appearance of objects• Add gradients as fills the way solid colors are

added• Linear gradient – Blends colors from one point to another in a straight

line

• Radial gradient – Blends colors from a point outwards in a circular

patternNew Perspectives on Adobe Flash CS3 15

XPXPGradient Examples


XPXPCreating and Editing Gradients• Creating new gradients in the Color panel– Specify linear or radial fill style in Type list– Add or remove gradient pointers based on colors used– Select gradient pointer for the color you want to change– Use a method to specify color; e.g., change RGB values

• Fall off point: point where gradient color shifts • Use Add Swatch command to save your gradient• Radial gradient for banner: light blue to dark gray


XPXPColor Space with New Gradient


XPXPNew Gradient in Swatches Panel


XPXPApplying a Gradient Fill• Follow the same process for applying a solid fill• Two options for applying gradient to single

object– Select gradient fill color and draw object on Stage– Use Paint Bucket tool for object already on the Stage

• Lock Fill modifier – Paints one gradient across several objects on the

Stage


XPXPEffect of Lock Fill Modifier on Gradients


XPXPGradient as Background


XPXPTransforming Gradient Fills• Gradient Transform tool: modifies a gradient fill – Selected object with linear gradient has a bounding box – Selected object with radial gradient has a bounding circle

• Modifiable gradient properties: center, size, direction • How to transform a gradient – Drag the handles in the bounding box or circle surrounding

the center point

• Modifying linear gradient for the banner


XPXPEditing Handles


XPXPIncreasing the Gradient’s Radius


XPXPComparing Publishing Options• FLA format: native file format for Flash documents• SWF file: plays in Flash Player window or browser• Default – (HTML): creates an SWF and HTML file• Static publishing formats: JPEG, GIF, and PNG• Projector file: stand-alone file with .exe extension – Has the Flash Player incorporated into it – Plays the movie in its own window

• Publish Settings dialog box– Used to specify how FLA documents are published


XPXPPublish Settings• Default options: Flash (.swf) and HTML (.html)– Each file type has an options tab

• Select check box for different formats– New options tab appears for each new type selected– Example: JPEG tab appears if JPEG Image (.jpg) chosen

• New publishing profiles may be saved for later use• New banner will be published as an SWF file– Rationale: banner will be added to an existing Web page


XPXPPublish Settings


XPXPFlash Publish Settings


XPXPExporting an Image• Two common image file formats used in Web pages– JPEG format: best for images that include many colors– GIF format: best for images with fewer colors

• Some export formats in Flash: JPEG, GIF, PNG• Two ways to export images in Flash– Select options in Publish Settings dialog box– Use the Export Image command

• Logo will be exported as a GIF image


XPXPExport Settings


XPXPAdding Flash Graphics to a Web Page• Requirement for using Flash graphics in a Web page– Graphic file must be incorporated into the page’s HTML

• One simple way to incorporate graphics in HTML– Publish a movie with the HTML format option selected

• Adding the SWF file to an existing Web page – Actual Web page must edited – Some editing tools: Adobe Dreamweaver, Notepad

• Use Notepad to edit page displaying banner and logo


XPXPSample Web Page HTML


XPXPSample Web Page With Flash Graphics


Tutorial 6 Working with Bitmaps and Gradients, and Publishing Flash Files.

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