Macromedia Flash format (SWF)


    The Macromedia Flash format is a version of the Macromedia Flash Player vector-based graphics format for interactive, animated Web graphics. You can export artwork to the Macromedia Flash format for use in Web design, and view the artwork in any browser equipped with the Macromedia Flash Player plug-in. For more information on creating SWF animations, see Creating Web graphics with SWF.

    When you export artwork to SWF format, the Macromedia Flash (SWF) Format Options dialog box appears. Set the desired options, and click OK:

    Export As

    Specifies how to convert Illustrator layers to SWF frames:

    • AI File to SWF File to export the artwork to a single frame. Select this option to preserve layer clipping masks.
    • AI Layers to SWF Frames to export the artwork on each layer to a separate SWF frame, creating an animated SWF.
    • AI Layers to SWF Files to export the artwork on each layer to a separate SWF file. The result is multiple SWF files, each containing a single frame with the artwork from a single Illustrator layer.

    Frame Rate

    Specifies the rate at which the animation will be played in a Macromedia Flash viewer. (This option is only available for AI Layers to SWF Frames.)

    Looping

    Causes the animation to loop continuously, rather than play once and then stop, when played in a Macromedia Flash viewer. (This option is only available for AI Layers to SWF Frames.)

    Generate HTML

    Writes HTML code for the SWF file, including its width and height. You can use this code to include the SWF file in a Web page. The HTML file is saved to the same location as the SWF file.

    Read Only

    Prohibits users from modifying the exported SWF file.

    Clip to Artboard Size

    Exports the entire Illustrator document page (and any artwork within its borders) to the SWF file. Any artwork outside the page's borders will be clipped off.

    Curve Quality

    Determines the accuracy of the bezier curves. A low number decreases the exported file size with a slight loss of curve quality. A higher number increases the accuracy of the bezier curve reproduction, but results in a larger file size.

    Image Format

    Determines how the artwork is compressed. Lossless compression maintains the highest image quality but creates a large SWF file. Lossy (JPEG) compression creates a smaller SWF file but adds artifacts to the image. Select Lossless if you intend to continue to work on the file (or files) in Macromedia Flash; select Lossy if you're exporting the final SWF file.

    JPEG Quality

    Specifies the amount of detail in the exported image. The higher the quality, the larger the file size. (This option is only available if you choose Lossy compression.)

    Method

    Specifies the type of JPEG compression that is used. Baseline (Standard) applies the standard type of compression, while Baseline Optimized applies additional optimization. (These options are only available if you choose Lossy compression.)

    Resolution

    Adjusts the screen resolution for bitmap images. Resolution for exported SWF files can be 72 to 2400 pixels per inch (ppi). Higher resolution values result in better image quality but larger file sizes.