Flash - Vectors and how to keep 'em

**sadicus** · 22 July 2009, 08:54 PM

Flash - able to use vector shapes and keep file size down.

So why are vector shapes created in Xara converted to raster images on preview, or publishing the website (.swf)

**Soquili** · 22 July 2009, 09:05 PM

Web browsers do not natively support flash (.swf). They do natively support .gif, .jpg, and to some extent .png.

To view a flash file you must install a 3rd party plug-in like Adobe Flashplayer.

**sadicus** · 22 July 2009, 10:28 PM

Thanks for they info, but i'm still not understanding.

Here is a website example:
http://www.templatemonster.com/flash...tes/25057.html

I can preview this in FF (so i guess i have the 3rd party plugin.)

XaraX5 will not keep any vector information when publishing a website?

**steve.ledger** · 22 July 2009, 11:01 PM

All vectors are rasterised to view on your screen.

They are only vectors while you create and edit them.

Xtreme will retain all vector shapes in the .xar file.
It cannot re edit the exported final .swf - so keep your .xar

**Soquili** · 22 July 2009, 11:04 PM

The 3rd party plug-in must rasterize the vectors for you to see them in the browser.

Your monitor cannot display vectors, only a rasterized representation of what the vector will look like.

**sadicus** · 23 July 2009, 12:56 AM

Thanks for the info! I had no idea EVERYTHING was raster!

As far as a comparison, what's the big deal about flash?
That is to say, content can be built in Xara or photoshop if the end result is a raster file anyway.
Is it used for the coding?

In the website example:
http://www.templatemonster.com/flash...tes/25057.html

right clicking on a swf file reveals no .png, or .jpg images because it's locked?
but an HTML site is not locked?

...looks like i have some research to do

**steve.ledger** · 23 July 2009, 01:11 AM

Who mentioned anything about .swf being .png, or .jpg images?

...looks like i have some research to do

I agree

**sadicus** · 23 July 2009, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by Soquili

The 3rd party plug-in must rasterize the vectors for you to see them in the browser.

Your monitor cannot display vectors, only a rasterized representation of what the vector will look like.

If FireFox uses a 3rd party flash plug in, then when I view Flash websites I'm not seeing the actual Vectors created with Flash software, I'm seeing Rasterized versions. .jpg, .png, ect.

When you view this URL, website example:
http://www.templatemonster.com/flash...tes/25057.html

what are you seeing? raterized images contained in a .swf file?

**steve.ledger** · 23 July 2009, 02:41 AM

Small Web Format (.swf) are Vector-based projectors for embedding into websites and used in some devices.
They don't necessarily (but can) contain bitmaps (.png .jpg etc) but do paint the image line by line, pixel by pixel onto a screen = 'rasterization' (the task of taking an image described in a vector graphics format (shapes) and converting it into a raster image (pixels or dots) for output on a video display or printer, or for storage in a bitmap file format.)

.swf are NOT editible, though some decompliers exist.

Sadicus.
No need to keep posting the template monster URL.
It's looking like SPAM