Why Are My JPEGs Pixelated in Flash?
Whenever you include JPEG images in Adobe Flash, you run the risk of pixelated images. Flash includes options to help reduce pixelation when you place JPEGs in the Flash library, as well as when you export them from the Flash library. Most pixelation occurs when the JPEG is stretched beyond its original dimensions. This is true for any bitmap image, including PNGs and GIFs, which also tend to deteriorate when they are enlarged.
Other People Are Reading
-
Image Size
-
Changing the size of an image is a common cause of pixelated bitmap images. When using Adobe Flash, consider the largest size you will be using for each image. For example, if you plan to zoom into a 50-by-50-pixel JPEG to double its size in an SWF video, then the imported JPEG should be 100 by 100 pixels. It is also important to maintain the same aspect ratios between height and width whenever resizing a JPEG.
Importing JPEGs
-
Like any software, Adobe Flash is only as good as the resources it has to work with. Use a photo editor or graphic design program like Photoshop to optimize a JPEG before importing it into Flash. Use the highest quality settings before exporting the image as a JPEG. If the source file is smaller than it will appear in Flash, increase the image size in the photo editor first. Most photo editors allow you to touch up an image using pen or paint tools, which eliminates many pixelated image problems.
-
Bitmap Properties
-
If a JPEG in a Flash file appears pixelated, check its settings in the Bitmap Properties window. Find these settings by selecting the JPEG in the Library panel, then clicking the "Properties" button at the bottom of the panel. For best results, set Compression to the default "Photo (JPEG)" option, and select "Allow Smoothing" to retain image quality when the image is resized. Although it results in a larger file size, set Quality at "Use Imported JPEG Data." If this is not possible for your project, select a number as close to 100 as possible in the Custom Quality option. Experiment with these settings as needed, and use the Test button to preview the image.
Exporting JPEGs
-
Adobe Flash includes additional options if you are exporting or publishing a JPEG from Flash. For best results, use the Match Movie option to make the JPEG image the same size and with the same aspect ratio as the source FLA file. If you need to increase the JPEG size, try to keep it as close to the source file's size as possible. The larger the JPEG is, the higher the risk of getting a pixelated image. If you are using custom height and width values, make sure they keep the same aspect ratio.
-
