How make partial transparent Dropshadow in Illustrator

[Birdsong]

This must be one of the most common questions, and yet finding a answer is still tricky - a lot of the archives have discussions about real time drop shadows.

What I want is a simple straight edged dark to 100% transparent drop shadow - a multiply effect would be best - but as I recall that is not an option in Flash.

I would like to make the graphic in illustrator and then bring it into flash.

I tried doing a stepped line from 0% opacity to 100% black - but when I brought it into flash, flash turned it into 100+ little objects - even after grouping.

There must be a simple way.

Thanks,
-AB

[Birdsong]

Answer to self: make it in Flash - although I notice flash's gradiants are not so smooth near the zero point.

[graphiX1978]

Flash breaks down alot of files exported from illusrator. A good way to make nice shadows and gradients is to use png files.