Illustrator CS2 - Export Illustrator Layers to SWF Frames (continued)

Exporting to Flash

Step 1

Choose File > Save for Web - This will launch Illustrator's Save for Web dialog box.

Choose SWF from the Optimized for File Type drop down and select Layers to SWF Frames in the Type of Export drop down menu as shown below. The first panel will display the first frame of the animation. The information at the bottom of that panel displays format, curve quality, file size and lets you know that this particular file will take only 3 seconds to download on a 28.8kps modem.

Tip: If you want to change what download speed you are optimizing for click on the arrow in the circle to diplay a list of other download speeds.

Leave all other settings at thier default values and click Save.

Step 2

A Save Optimized As dialog box will open.

• Choose where you wish to save the file from the Save in drop down menu.
• Name your file in the File Name drop down menu.
• Make sure that Images Only (.swf) is displaying in the Save as File Type drop down menu. Otherwise, it will save HTML code as well and that isn't that useful at this point.
• Leave all other settings at their default value and click Save

Now we can import the result .swf file into flash and perhaps use it as a movie symbol in a game. It is however import to note that the flash file we have just created does work on its own. We have just created a flash movie without using flash.

next Importing the explosion into Flash