Flash imports a bitmap as a single object that behaves just like a group of shapes. Use the Trace Bitmap command when you want to keep your file size down, or when you want to manipulate the image. The Trace Bitmap command converts a bitmap into a vector graphic with editable discrete areas of color. (To edit the color of a bitmap that has been broken apart, use the magic wand tool. See Painting with a bitmap's image.)
To convert a bitmap to a vector graphic:
| 1 | Select a bitmap in the current scene. |
| 2 | Choose Modify > Trace Bitmap. |
| 3 | Enter a Color Threshold value. |
| When comparing two pixels, if the difference in the RGB color values is less than the color threshold, the two pixels are considered the same color. A high threshold value gives you a low number of colors. | |
| 4 | Enter a value for Minimum Area to set the number of surrounding pixels to consider when assigning a color to a pixel. |
| 5 | Enter a value for Curve Fit to determine how smoothly outlines are drawn. |
| 6 | Enter a value for Corner Threshold to determine whether sharp edges are retained or smoothed out. |
|
To create a vector graphic that looks most like the original bitmap, enter the following values: Color Threshold, 10; Minimum Area,1 pixel; Curve Fit, Pixels; Corner Threshold, Many Corners.
Note: In some cases, the file size of the traced bitmap can exceed the file size of the original if the imported bitmap is complex and many vectors are created to match the bitmap.