Drawing > Reshaping lines and shape outlines > Optimizing curves

 

Optimizing curves

Another way to smooth curves is to optimize them. This refines curved lines and fill outlines by reducing the number of curves used to define these elements. Optimizing curves also reduces the size of the Flash document (FLA file) and the exported Flash movie (SWF file). As with the Smooth or Straighten modifiers or commands, you can apply optimization to the same elements multiple times.

 
To optimize curves:

1

Select the drawn elements to be optimized and choose Modify > Optimize.

2

In the Optimize Curves dialog box, drag the Smoothing slider to specify the degree of smoothing.

The exact results depend on the curves selected. Generally, optimizing produces fewer curves, with less resemblance to the original outline.

3

Set the additional options:

Select Use Multiple Passes to repeat the smoothing process until no further optimization can be accomplished; this is the same as repeatedly choosing Optimize with the same elements selected.

Select Show Totals Message to display an alert box that indicates the extent of the optimization when smoothing is complete.

4

Click OK.