Saving files in SWF format (ImageReady)

In ImageReady, you can export a document as a SWF file, which can then go directly to the Web or be imported into the Macromedia® Flash™ application. In a multilayered PSD file, each layer of the PSD file can be exported as one SWF object, or each layer can be exported as separate SWF files using the Layers as Files command. When the entire PSD file is exported to one SWF file, animation frames are exported as SWF animation frames. URLs in slices and image maps will be preserved when exported. Rollovers are ignored. The exported images will not change when you rollover them. For more information about the SWF format, see SWF (ImageReady).

Layers in a PSD file can be preserved when exported from ImageReady and then imported into Macromedia Flash. Use the Layers as Files command to export the individual layers as separate SWF files. When the SWF files are imported in a SWF document, they each appear on separate layers. You can also export individual animation frames as separate SWF files using the Animation as Files command. Again, each SWF file appears on a separate layer when imported into Macromedia Flash.

To export an ImageReady file in SWF format:

1. Do one of the following:
• Choose File > Export > Macromedia® Flash™ SWF.
• Choose File > Export > Original Document. In the Export Original dialog box, choose Macromedia® Flash™ SWF from the Save as Type (Windows) or Format (Mac OS) menu. Enter a name for the SWF file and choose a destination. Click Save.

The Macromedia® Flash™ (SWF) Export dialog box opens, letting you select options for exporting to SWF format.

2. Under Export Options, select from the following options:

Preserve Appearance

Retains the appearance of the PSD file and may rasterize a text or shape layer if it cannot be exported natively to SWF. If Preserve Appearance is not selected, all effects that cause flattening or rasterization of vectors are dropped, including ones on raster layers.

Generate HTML

Generates HTML in addition to the SWF file.

3. Select the Enable Dynamic Text option to map text variables to SWF dynamic text. SWF dynamic text disappears on import into Macromedia Flash. Therefore, mapping text variables to SWF dynamic text would only be useful if the generated SWF file is going directly to the Web.
4. Under Bitmap Options, either leave the Format menu set at Auto Select or choose a file format used for bitmap images. If you choose JPEG, you can enter JPEG Quality to specify how much compression to use.
5. Under Text Options, specify which characters to embed by choosing either None, Full Set, or Partial Set from the Embed Fonts menu.

If you choose Partial Set, click any of the following buttons to specify the characters of the partial set:

 includes all uppercase characters.

 includes all lowercase characters.

 includes all numbers.

 includes all punctuations.

You can also enter specific characters to embed in the Extra text box.

Note: Whenever possible, PSD text and vector layers are converted into SWF text and vector objects. If layer effects or blending modes prohibit a native mapping of text and vectors, they can then be flattened into bitmap objects.

6. Click OK. If you chose File > Export > Macromedia® Flash™ SWF in step 1, the Export as Macromedia® SWF dialog box opens. Enter a name for the SWF file and choose a destination. Click Save.

To export layers or animation frames as individual SWF files:

1. Do one of the following:
• Choose File > Export > Layers as Files. If you're exporting only specific layers, select the layers in the Layers palette before you choose the Layers as Files command.
• Choose File > Export > Animation as Files. If you're exporting only specific frames, select the frames in the Animation palette before you choose the Animation as Files command.
2. In the Export Layers as Files dialog box, under File Options, click Browse (Windows) or Choose (Mac OS) to select a destination for the exported files.
3. Enter a name in the Base Name text box to specify a common name for the files.
4. Set the Save Options.
5. Choose SWF from the Format menu under Format Options and set the options for your SWF files.
6. Click OK.

For more information about the options in the Export Layers as Files dialog box or the Export Frames as Files dialog box, see Exporting layers as files (ImageReady) and Exporting animation frames as files (ImageReady).