image optimisation query

[pinkaboo]

Hi everyone,
I keep reading conflicting information about optimising jpgs/gifs for use in Flash.
Some sources recommend to optimise in Fireworks and then keep those settings in Flash.
Others insist that it is better to import images into Flash unoptimised and then optimise them from within Flash using the bitmap properties option in the library.
I don't suppose anyone can tell me if either method actually makes any difference to the end picture quality please? Or if there is an optimum process in order to get the best quality pics at the smallest file size?
Thanks!

<confused> K

[kingarturo]

Hi there,

I always thought that you had to optimize an image before you can import it in Flash. Is there a way to import an image unoptimized?

Peace.

[pinkaboo]

Now I'm all befuddled.
Someone must know how to use rastor images in flash succinctly!
After I read that it was recommended to import unoptimised images into Flash I just imported any images as bmps, uncompressed jpgs or as png files so that they were at the highest quality upon arrival within Flash.
This seems to make sense as if you optimise an image and then reoptimise it you lose more and more image quality,
so it follows that if Flash optimises images itself you should import high quality files so that they are only optimised once throughout the publishing process and quality does not diminish too much.
Then I was told that no, you should drastically optimise in an external editor and then import already reduced files so now I'm all of a quandary!
anyone? please! Does it even matter?!!
K

[kingarturo]

I usually optimize my images to the highest setting then let flash do the rest.

Have you seen these? It might be a good read (haven't read it myself)

http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/publishexport/stream_optimize/stream_optimize.html

http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/how/subjects/Opti1/Opti04.html

Peace.

[pinkaboo]

Ahh, nope I hadn't actually seen those before, right in the most obvious place of all too! doh.
I shall run away and peruse them now. Thanks.
K

[igorsden]

don't know if this is still open but here's my 2 cents

-use jpgs not gifs when importing into flash. flash seems to dislike gifs and makes a larger swf
-pngs also seem to work better than gifs
-I use ulead to optimize the images before bringing it into flash and have been very happy with the results so far

one other thing you'll want to do is cut the images down to the exact size that you need them in flash this will drastically cut your file size. I recently replaced all the bitmaps in an fla, once I knew what worked, with images that fit perfect (no bleed) and cut the file size by a 1/3

[pinkaboo]

Thanks Igorsden, great tips, cheers.

I just read something else interesting and it seems to help so I thought I'd post it here too:

Apparently if you have a Raster image within a symbol it is a good idea to align it with the centre crosshairs at its top left hand corner (align left + align top, or 0,0 ) instead of positioning it centrally as otherwise Flash tends to blur the image around the centre.

I certainly hadn't thought to do that before and it does appear to keep the images a bit crisper when I just tested it.

K