How filters work

Display object filtering works by caching a copy of the original object as a transparent bitmap.

Once a filter has been applied to an display object, Adobe Flash Player caches the object as a bitmap for as long as the object has a valid filter list. This source bitmap is then used as the original image for all subsequently applied filter effects.

Each display object usually contains two bitmaps: one with the original unfiltered source display object and another for the final image after filtering. The final image is used when rendering. As long as the display object does not change, the final image does not need updating.