PSD2FLA 1.0 Documentation

Current Version: 1.0.1_r019

Overview

PSD2FLA is a Photoshop export plug in that lets you save your Photoshop .psd file as a Flash 5 .fla file.

System Requirements

PSD2FLA is presently available for Windows only and runs in Adobe Photoshop 4, 5, 6, and 7. It may very well run in other packages that support Photoshop plug ins and can save as layered Photoshop file (.psd).

Installing

PSD2FLA comes with an installer - run the installer and choose your Photoshop plug in folder. If you want to install PSD2FLA manually, then copy the PSD2FLA.8be file (the plug in) into your plug in folder. That's it. PSD2FLA appears under Photoshop's File--Export menu.

Registering / Demo

PSD2FLA comes as an unlockable demo. Without an unlock code it will deface the graphics in the Flash file with blue diagonal lines. Once registered it will no longer add the defacing lines to Flash files it creates.
Unlock codes are gotten from Media Lab, Inc. when the product is purchased. To register, install PSD2FLA, launch Photoshop, open a Photoshop file, and then choose File--Export--PSD2FLA.... In the main options dialog, click the Register... button. In the registration dialog enter your unlock code and click the Register button, then Close the dialog.

Preliminary Preparation

• Save your Photoshop file before attempting to export it with PSD2FLA.
  
• PSD2FLA only supports RGB mode files. If your image mode is set to anything else (CMYK, Grayscale, etc.) it will return an error.
• Also, PSD2FLA works best when Photoshop's maximize backwards compatibility in Photoshop format Saving Files preference is on.

Using PSD2FLA

From within Photoshop with an open document, choose the PSD2FLA... menu item underneath the File--Export menu.
Set your options as you wish them.
Click the OK button.
PSD2FLA will build your Flash .fla file. If the Open In Flash After Export option was turned on, then Flash will launch with your file.

The Flash file is created in the same directory as your Photoshop .psd file. The Flash file is named the same as your Photoshop file, but with an .fla extension.
( Thus, if your Photoshop file was named, PageDesign.psd, the Flash file will be PageDesign.psd.fla )

The Options

Open In Flash After Export

If turned on then PSD2FLA will launch Flash with the newly created .fla file once it is written out.

Export Hidden Layers

In a Photoshop file, certain layers may be "hidden", by turning off the eye icon in Photoshops layer palette. If the Export Hidden Layers option is on, then those layers will be created in the Flash file as hidden layers there (using Flash's eye icon).

However, if this option is off, then any layers hidden in Photoshop will be ignored and will not end up inside the .fla file.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

• I'm getting blue lines in my Flash file!
  PSD2FLA does this when in "demo" mode. If you have an unlock code, then open PSD2FLA and use the Register... button to reach the registration dialog where you can enter the unlock. If you do not have an unlock code, you can obtain one by purchasing the product. Contact us on the web at www.medialab.com, or by phone at 1-800-282-5361.
• When I try to save out my Flash file I get a "There may be a conflict" message.
  The Flash file your are trying to build is probably already open in Flash. Go to Flash, close all open documents, and then switch back to Photoshop and build the Flash file again.
• When I go to the Export menu, PSD2FLA is grayed out.
  Your image must be in RGB Mode (8 bits/ channel) to work with PSD2FLA. Go to Photoshop's Image menu and change the Image Mode to RGB.
• My Photoshop text layers don't show up in Flash.
  Make sure that Photoshop's Saving File Preferences have the maximize backwards compatibility in Photoshop format turned ON.
• My Photoshop vector shapes don't show up in Flash.
  Make sure that Photoshop's Saving File Preferences have the maximize backwards compatibility in Photoshop format turned ON.
• My Photoshop vector shapes and text layers come into Flash as bitmaps, not vectors and text.
  Yes, with the excpetion of a solid color background, all Photoshop layers are converted to Flash bitmaps.
• How do I get my Photoshop paths into Flash?
  There is no support for Photoshop paths in PSD2FLA 1.0.
• My background layer doesn't show up as a layer in Flash!
  PSD2FLA automatically recognizes a solid color background layers and will simply set the Flash Movie Settings background color to that color. No need to waste space with a layer or a bitmap..

Contacting Us

Sales

PSD2FLA may be purchased directly off of our website (www.medialab.com) or by calling 1-800-282-5361 or 1-303-546-7929. Our sales department may be reached through email at sales@medialab.com

Tech Support

All technical support is provided over email. We've a crackerjack tech support team. No question is too big or small, and most issues are resolved within 24 hours. Email them at help@medialab.com.

Press

Press inquiries can be emailed to at press@medialab.com

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