Using Imported Artwork > Placing artwork into Flash > About imported bitmap images
About imported bitmap imagesImporting bitmap images into a movie can increase the movie's file size. To reduce the file size of a bitmap image, you can choose a compression option in the Bitmap Properties dialog box. See Setting bitmap properties.
You can edit an imported bitmap by launching Fireworks or another external image editor from within Flash.
You can trace a bitmap to convert its image to a vector graphic. Performing this conversion enables you to modify the graphic as you do other vector artwork in Flash, and it also reduces file size. See Converting bitmaps to vector graphics.
You can break apart a bitmap into editable areas. The bitmap retains its original detail but is broken into discrete areas of color that you can select and modify separately with the Flash drawing and painting tools. Breaking apart a bitmap also lets you use a bitmap as a fill to paint objects. See Breaking apart a bitmap.
If a Flash movie displays an imported bitmap at a larger size than the original, the image may be distorted. Preview imported bitmaps to be sure that images display properly.