Embed video in a SWF file

Import video clips as embedded files in several file formats, depending on your system. Preview frames of an imported video by dragging the playhead along the Timeline. However, the sound does not play back. To preview the video with sound, use the Test Movie command.

When you import a video as an embedded file, you can edit the video before importing it. You can also apply customized compression settings, including bandwidth or video quality settings.

Note: After a video clip is imported, it cannot be edited.

Embed video within the SWF file

  1. To import the video clip into the current Flash document, select File > Import > Import Video.
  2. Select the video clip on your local computer to import.
  3. Select Embed Video In SWF and Play In Timeline.
  4. Choose the symbol type with which to embed the video in the SWF file.
    Embed in the Timeline

    If you’re using the video clip for linear playback in the Timeline, importing the video into the Timeline is the most appropriate method.


    Embed as a movie clip

    A best practice is to place video inside a movie clip instance, because you have the most control over the content. The video’s Timeline plays independently from the main Timeline. You do not have to extend your main Timeline by many frames to accommodate the video, which can make working with your FLA file difficult.


    Embed as a graphic symbol

    When you embed a video clip as a graphic symbol, you cannot interact with the video using ActionScript (typically you use graphic symbols for static images and to create reusable pieces of animation that are tied to the main Timeline).


  5. Import the video clip directly onto the Stage (and the Timeline) or as a library item.

    By default, Flash places the video you import on the Stage. To import into the library only, deselect Place Instance on Stage.

    If you’re creating a simple video presentation with linear narration and little to no interaction, accept the default setting and import the video to the Stage. To create a more dynamic presentation, work with multiple video clips, or add dynamic transitions or other elements using ActionScript, import the video into the library. After a video clip is in the library, customize it by converting it into a MovieClip object that you can more easily control with ActionScript.

    By default, Flash expands the Timeline to accommodate the playback length of the video clip you are embedding.

  6. (Optional) To edit your video clip before embedding it in the Timeline, select Edit Video First.
  7. (Optional) If the video clip is not yet encoded in the FLV format, select a Flash Video encoding profile.
  8. Click Finish.

    The Video Import wizard encodes your video into the FLV format, and embeds the video into the SWF file. The video appears either on the Stage or in the library depending on the embedding options you chose.

  9. In the Property inspector (Window > Properties), give the video clip an instance name, and make any modifications to the video clip’s properties.

Update an embedded video clip after editing it in an external editor

  1. Select the video clip in the Library panel.
  2. Select Properties and click Update.

    The embedded video clip is updated with the edited file. The compression settings you selected when you first imported the video are reapplied to the updated clip.

Related Information

  This page on the Web