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Can you explain the correct way to use Illustrator vectors within an interactive layout.

I created some artwork in Illustrator and saved it as an EPS, created a picture box and imported it. When previewing/exporting, the resulting image is bitmap not vector. It is using the preview image rather than vector data. I then tried exporting a SWF from Illustrator and Importing it into a picture box in the layout, same problem - instead of crisp vectors I get a chewy bitmap image. Is this method out for placing vector artwork?

Knowing I can import SWFs via the Interactive palette, I emptied the picture box and change it to a SWF object, this worked. Using "External Reference..." (as suggested to make a relative link in the same folder) the box is blank - no preview. If I use "Choose..." I get a preview, something I really need, but what are the consequences?

If I keep all the external files in the same folder as the project, will it break if I move the folder's location? Can I not use the "Usage..." to update this movement and even swap out a different SWF as I would in a print document?

I don't know if I've answered my own question, but I don't quite understand at what point I should be wary of absolute paths. And if this is the only way to get content previews of the imported SWFs.

Hi, rfwalker,

rfwalker:

I created some artwork in Illustrator and saved it as an EPS, created a picture box and imported it. When previewing/exporting, the resulting image is bitmap not vector. It is using the preview image rather than vector data.

When the file is present (in Usage: OK) Interactive Designer is not using the preview, it rather creates its own preview thus having a higher resolution than 72 dpi.
However, you are right, it is bitmap data upon export.

I then tried exporting a SWF from Illustrator and Importing it into a picture box in the layout, same problem - instead of crisp vectors I get a chewy bitmap image. Is this method out for placing vector artwork?

Yes, that's the method to get in vectors, which also export as vectors.

First test please: When you open the exported SWF (created from Illustrator) does it contain vectors?

Knowing I can import SWFs via the Interactive palette, I emptied the picture box and change it to a SWF object, this worked.

Please try exactly what you did (as you described the right way):
1. Create a picture box.
2. In Object tab make it an SWF object.
3. Import the SWF (using the method "Choose..."), not File/Get Picture.
4. As the last step, right click the picture box and choose "Fit Box to picture".
Export. Vectors now?

If not, then we have another issue here. If it does, now you can decide to leave it this way or use an external path.

If I keep all the external files in the same folder as the project, will it break if I move the folder's location? Can I not use the "Usage..." to update this movement and even swap out a different SWF as I would in a print document?

Interactive Designer will keep both paths in the Usage dialog, of Chosen and External files. Of course you can change both in the Usage dialog.

The only difference between the two is that with "Choose" Interactive Designer takes care of the path and it knows about the file at authoring time. Therefore you see a preview and when exporting, Interactive Designer will create a folder with the file and adjust the path, so that the SWF plays correctly.

With "External" you need to ensure that the path is correct. Interactive Designer does not know about the file, it only keeps the path. When exporting, Interactive Designer also doesn't do anything with the path, only the SWF (when running) will look whether it finds something at that path.

Therefore it will not warn you about missing files when exporting, as it only cares about the path. You could be on a computer not connected to the Internet and use URLs as a path, Interactive Designer does not care (when using external). With "Choose" it does, like in Print.

Relative vs. Absolute?
Whether you use absolute or relative paths is also no difference, it only helps you to make deployment easier. If you e.g reference a move using a relative path, then you can copy the SWF and the video to any website or computer. So you could tell the SWF, look in the subfolder "videos" and load the move "xmas.mov". Whether you play the SWF on a computer or place it on a webserver, only the subfolder with the video need to be in the same directory and it'll work.

If you use an absolute path, you only copy the SWF and - as long as the absolute path is available - it will play the video. Of course, if you use an absolute path on your computer, that will not work. If you use an absolute path with a URL (e.g. "http: //www.quark. com/xmas.mov") it will work everywhere - as long as they have an internet connection.

Does that make sense?

Best regards
Matthias

Hi Matthias,
Thanks for this I think I understand now. To recap I've got it right:

If I want to import vectors in need to save out SWF and use the "Choose.." method from Interactive Palette. This gives me the preview image.
On export Interactive Designer will create the SWF and folder containing any externally referenced files. A bit like "Collect For Output"?
"External Reference..." might be a good option if someone else is creating the placed SWF, to be dropped in later.

One last thing - If I'm importing bitmaps then I use the standard File/Get Picture? Is 72 dpi JPEG the best format or can PNG files be used?

Hi, rfwalker,

rfwalker:

To recap I've got it right:
If I want to import vectors in need to save out SWF...

yes

... and use the "Choose.." method from Interactive Palette.

No, both methods, choose and external will result in vectors.

On export Interactive Designer will create the SWF and folder containing any externally referenced files. A bit like "Collect For Output"?

Yes, almost.

"External Reference..." might be a good option if someone else is creating the placed SWF, to be dropped in later.

Yes, or if you are referencing the same file from many projects or if you want to dynamically change it.

Especially when using expressions you could show e.g. a video based on the persons birthday. You ask for the month they are born in and then, with expressions, show for April an Aries (filename "video-04.flv") etc. And you could just replace the videos later with a 2009 edition without having to touch the original SWF at all.

One last thing - If I'm importing bitmaps then I use the standard File/Get Picture? Is 72 dpi JPEG the best format or can PNG files be used?

Correct, anything that works like in Print (pictures) stays like you are used to in Print.

Get in any picture format QuarkXPress can import, they will be converted to JPEG anyhow (upon export).

If you import pictures with 72 dpi, the quality will stay with 72 dpi. Most modern monitors have around 90-100 dpi, so why don't you import higher quality (which will result in larger file size though).

Best regards
Matthias