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godzookie2k · Jan 28, 2002, 12:18 AM

How do YOU move from Illustrator to Flash? I usually export a gif/tiff of background data and then import the vectors into flash one by one. I've found this to be quite annoying and it doesn't always come out right. Are there any easier ways to bring things into flash keeping text editable, and *hoping* vectors too? Anyone?

(suggestions like: don't use flash will be ignored

)
Nick

Dogma · Jan 28, 2002, 01:21 AM

Don't use Illustrator?

Seriously, if you can get your hands on a copy of Freehand 9 or 10 then you're all set.

Can't Flash import EPS and Illustrator files anyway? I'm sure it does at least EPS, or Freehand - which'll keep the layers intact...

Not sure, gave up on Flash at version 4 cos it was such a battle to do what I wanted it to do - it always makes my curves look funny and the animation is based at actual cartoon animators. I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and start using it again though.

godzookie2k · Jan 28, 2002, 01:25 AM

yeah, I'm thinking that importing into freehand then going to flash may be the option...

::goes to the swanky macromedia.com for freehand tryout:::

nick

Jan 28, 2002, 08:09 AM

press open apple c = copy, while in illustrator
then press open apple v = paste while in flash
gotta have both proggs open at same time, multitaskin

Jansar · Jan 28, 2002, 10:56 AM

Yes, Freehand is the way to go. That's what it's for.

BTW, if you still have one of the older issues of Mac Addict, they teach you how to do Star Wars text. That's the initial idea from how I got to start using it.

godzookie2k · Jan 28, 2002, 12:07 PM

See, when I copy and paste from illustrator to flash, I find (esp w/i ai 9/10) that all my paths become blocky and jaggy, including type. I'm gonna try out freehand. (ugh) Thanks for the help all.

Nick

Dogma · Jan 28, 2002, 02:10 PM

Originally posted by Jansar:
Yes, Freehand is the way to go. That's what it's for.

BTW, if you still have one of the older issues of Mac Addict, they teach you how to do Star Wars text. That's the initial idea from how I got to start using it.

Er, you wouldn't know what issue?

I'm doing a nonsense site call - Return of the Nedi (Possil Wars Episode 6), I've got the Star Wars Font, just been putting it off until I can do the scrolling text.

Cheers.

Mediaman_12 · Jan 28, 2002, 03:48 PM

What if (like me) you hate Freehand with a passion (I can draw anything in Illustrator, but can't do anything in Freehand. and AAGGG the MS inspired 'a button for everything' interface) Since Illustrator 9 It has been able to save as a SWF file, it sends Layers to frames. don't know if it preserves type in v10 though?

godzookie2k · Jan 28, 2002, 04:01 PM

See, that's my problem. I stumbled around in freehand today for a bit and I was about to shoot myself...

Nick

T Allen · Jan 28, 2002, 04:17 PM

Originally posted by godzookie2k:
See, when I copy and paste from illustrator to flash, I find (esp w/i ai 9/10) that all my paths become blocky and jaggy, including type. I'm gonna try out freehand. (ugh) Thanks for the help all.

Nick

I save my layered Illustrator file as a 5.0/5.5 Illustrator eps. That way when it's imported into Flash it retains the same layering.

Is the art "blocky and jaggy" because View is set to Fast instead Antialias?

Just a couple of thoughts, FWIW.

godzookie2k · Jan 28, 2002, 04:28 PM

I'll have to try that, no blocky as in it takes my nice smooth paths and makes the zigzagged and jaggy.

heres an example: these 'icons' as bad as they are were smooth edged and rounded before pasting into flash from illustrator 9 and 10 (same result each time)

Nick

[ 01-28-2002: Message edited by: godzookie2k ]

godzookie2k · Jan 30, 2002, 12:30 AM

Hey look, it happens from illustrator 10 to freehand too! wee! (even with the ill10 file saved as a ill 8 file)

Dogma · Jan 30, 2002, 07:08 AM

Originally posted by godzookie2k:
I'll have to try that, no blocky as in it takes my nice smooth paths and makes the zigzagged and jaggy.

heres an example: these 'icons' as bad as they are were smooth edged and rounded before pasting into flash from illustrator 9 and 10 (same result each time)

Did you hand draw the images in Illustrator? You might try a Simplify command, or if you are handdrawing them, just do it straight into Flash.

Send me a couple of files and I'll see what I can come up with.

My e-mail's in my profile

Mediaman_12 · Jan 30, 2002, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by godzookie2k:
Hey look, it happens from illustrator 10 to freehand too! wee! (even with the ill10 file saved as a ill 8 file)

Why are you saving them out of Illustrator 10 as Illustrator files?

You can export from Illustrator 10 as SWF files (File menu/Export/select Macromedia Flash(SWF) from the drop down Format menu). i.e. native Flash files. All the conversion is then being handled by the app that knows what it is doing with the files

. You than just import the SWF file into Flash, It may even preserve editable text but I am not sure.

Face Ache · Jan 31, 2002, 04:51 AM

Er, you wouldn't know what issue?

I'm doing a nonsense site call - Return of the Nedi (Possil Wars Episode 6), I've got the Star Wars Font, just been putting it off until I can do the scrolling text.

Just drop the text onto the perspective grid in Freehand and then import it into Flash. I did a bogus Star Wars start and the whole thing (with sound) came in at less than 150k. The script is on the web as well (handy).

[ 01-31-2002: Message edited by: Face Ache ]

Simon Mundy · Jan 31, 2002, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by Mediaman_12:

Why are you saving them out of Illustrator 10 as Illustrator files?

You can export from Illustrator 10 as SWF files (File menu/Export/select Macromedia Flash(SWF) from the drop down Format menu). i.e. native Flash files. All the conversion is then being handled by the app that knows what it is doing with the files

. You than just import the SWF file into Flash, It may even preserve editable text but I am not sure.

Indeed! This is the best way I've found, too.

Flash DOES keep the text editable, but I've found that it reverts a lot of stuff to the 'last resort' font, so you would need to go back through the FLA file and change your font back. Which is good anyway, as Flash's non-standard type specs can muff things up somewhat (ie. 19px != 19pt!!!)

godzookie2k · Feb 1, 2002, 11:23 AM

Yeah, I think that this (export to swf) is the only option, though it makes my text editable in chunks. In that in a column of text, the text body is broken up into 2-3 word chunks... quite annoying but better than nothing i guess. Thanks for all the help all!

Nick