Smooth Vector ImageReady Flash Animations

The key to adding multiple links without slices to a flash animation is to use Image Maps.

Note: Output to flash does not allow Rollover effects, so it would be worth your while to indicate to your user what exactly is a hot spot link. (Ie. Click here, etc)

Picking up where lesson two left off:

1. Select the 'Rectangle Image Map Tool (P)' from the Toolbar and draw individual Image Map's for the following three hotspots.
2. Go 'Window/Image Map' to open the Image Map Palette, select the 'Image Map Select Tool (J)' from the Toolbar, click each of the newly created image map's from step 1 and set the desired parameters as I have captured. (Note: URL = internal or external, realtive or absolute)

URL= http://www.adobe.com

URL= http://store.adobe.com/store/products/master.jhtml?id=catCreativeSuiteSTD

URL= http://store.adobe.com/store/products/master.jhtml?id=catCreativeSuite

Select Frame 1 again, go 'File/Export/Macromedia Flash Swf...' and set the following options.

Here is the final output.

Summary:

1. Prepare Vector based elements before you begin the animation process.
2. Avoid Layer Masks, Layer Styles and Bitmap's where possible to minimize file size.
3. Tween - Only use the Parameter's where necessary. IE - I only needed to use 'Position'.
4. Place Iamge Map Hotspots for linking (internal or external).
5. Export as Swf - disable the Preserve Appearance feature when just using Vector shape