Import Adobe Illustrator files

Flash can import Illustrator AI files in version 10 or earlier. If the raster file in Illustrator is linked, only JPEG, GIF, or PNG is imported with native format reserved. All other files are converted to PNG format in Flash. Additionally, conversion to PNG depends on the version of QuickTime installed.
Note: To import an Illustrator EPS or Adobe Acrobat PDF file, open the file in Illustrator CS 3, save it as a CS 3-compatible AI file, and import the resulting AI file into Flash
Note: The AI Importer was developed to import AI files created with Illustrator CS3. While there are no known issues importing AI files created in earlier versions of Illustrator, we recommend importing AI files created using Illustrator CS 3. If you encounter issues importing AI files created in earlier version of Illustrator, open the file in Illustrator CS 3, and save the AI file as a CS 3 compatible file and re-import it into Flash.
For video tutorials, see:
In certain instances, you may need to ungroup all the Illustrator objects on all layers when Flash cannot group items on import. After all the objects are ungrouped, they can be manipulated like any other Flash object.
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Illustrator AI Importer dialog box

A.
Layers panel
B.
Import options available for the selected object

Choose from the following options when importing Adobe Illustrator files:

  • Convert layers to Flash layers or keyframes, or single Flash layers.

  • Import text as editable text, vector outlines, or bitmaps.

  • Import as a single bitmap image. Choosing this option imports the AI file as a single bitmap image, and disables the layers list and import options within the AI import dialog box.

  1. Select File > Import To Stage or Import To Library.
  2. Navigate to the AI file to import, select it, and click OK. The Import Illustrator Document To Stage or The Import Illustrator Document To Library dialog box appears.

    This dialog box provides options to import the Illustrator file. Depending on the types of objects in the Illustrator file you’re importing, the options available to you vary.

  3. (Optional) To generate a list of items in the AI file that are incompatible with Flash, click Incompatibility Report. The Incompatibility Report button appears only if incompatibilities exist with Flash in the AI file.

    The Incompatibility Report analyzes possible incompatibilities between Illustrator and Flash. The Import Options area (next to the Alert button) of the AI Importer dialog box displays recommendations to obtain the maximum compatibility for any incompatible item.

    The Incompatibility Report includes an Apply Recommended Import Settings checkbox. If checked, Flash automatically applies the recommended import options to any incompatible objects within the AI file. The exceptions to this, are when the AI document is larger in size than that supported by Flash, and when the AI document uses the CMYK color mode. To correct either of these incompatibilities, reopen the document in Illustrator CS 3, and adjust the size of the document, or change the color mode to RGB.

  4. (Optional) In the AI Import dialog box, select layers, groups, and individual objects, and choose how to import each item. For information on the import options available for the different types of Illustrator layers and objects, see Illustrator object import options.
  5. For Convert Layers To, select one of the following:
    Flash Layers

    Converts each layer in the imported document to a layer in the Flash document.
    Keyframes

    Converts each layer in the imported document to a keyframe in the Flash document.
    Single Flash Layer

    Converts all layers in the imported document to a single flattened layer in the Flash document.
  6. For the remaining options, select from the following:
    Place Objects At Original Position

    The contents of the AI file retain the exact position that they had in Illustrator. For example, if an object was positioned at X = 100 Y = 50 in Illustrator, it assumes the same coordinates on the Flash Stage.

    If this option is not selected, the imported Illustrator layers are centered within the current view. The items in the AI file remain relative to each other when imported; however, all objects are centered as one block in the current view. This feature can be useful if you are zoomed in to an area of the Stage, and are importing a specific object for that area of the Stage. If you imported the object using the original coordinates, you might not see it imported, because it might be placed outside of the current stage view.

    Note: When importing the AI file into the Flash library, this option is not available.
    Set Stage Size To Same Size As Illustrator Artboard

    The Flash stage size resizes to the same size as the Illustrator artboard (or active crop area) used to create the AI file. This option is not selected by default.

    Note: When importing the AI file into the Flash library, this option is not available.
    Import Unused Symbols

    Any symbols in the AI file’s library that have no instances on the artboard are imported into the Flash library. If this option is not selected, the unused symbols are not imported into Flash.
    Import As A Single Bitmap Image

    Imports the AI file as a single bitmap image, and disables the layers list and import options within the AI import dialog box.
  7. Click OK.
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