movie size - novice question

Hi
I am new to Flash so be gentle with me. I would like to know if it is best to start the creation of a new movie with a big canvas size if the finished movie is intended to fill the screen - which it is. The default is something like 550 by 400 and I was wondering if the quality of the finished product depends on the size you use for the canvas. Do I export with publish settings set to 100% of screen size.
Question 2 - I can import a logo graphic for use in the movie as an .eps (a vector format I think) or as a .gif(bitmap format). As Flash is vector based, do I have to import as .eps or doesn't it matter. I intend to have the logo grow from a small dot to a huge logo in the center of the screen. Does resizing the image affect the quality of the image? Sorry about these rather confused thoughts - I'd appreciate some help.
thanks
david

the Macromedia link posted by Stryker says it all.

URL

What is the recommended size (height and width) to make a Flash movie?

Determining the best size to create a Flash movie
Choosing a movie size is a decision that merits consideration. The larger the movie is displayed - when scaled to fit the browser window - the slower it will run, on any given platform. Performance is also dependent on screen resolution.

If the movie size is absolute - using specified pixel dimensions - one has more control over the frame rate. If a movie is larger than the region that will display in a browser window at 640 by 480 resolution (see below for actual pixel dimensions of available area), some users will not be able to see the whole movie at once, and will have to scroll to see the other parts. If the movie is scaled to the browser window, the movie will run considerably slower than might might be expected on large displays.

Another important factor, if scaling the movie, is the aspect ratio. The browser menus and toolbars are fixed pixel dimensions, and thus, are not proportional to the content window at different display resolutions. Choose the target display resolutions - ones that intended viewers are most likely to be using - and tailor the aspect ratio of the movie to that display resolution.

Browser Sizing
The following sizes take into account the widths of various interface items to show available working space for an unscaled Flash movie.

Internet Explorer 4
These measurements presume the user has a normal start menu, default menu, buttons, URL window, and status bar, vertical scrollbar 16 pixels wide (which may be discounted if scaling to fit, that is, add it to the widths shown below) and no horizontal scrollbar:

640x480 -- 620x318
800x600 -- 780x438
1024x768 -- 1004x606
1280x1024 -- 1260x862


Netscape Navigator 3
These measurements presume the user has a normal start menu, default menu, buttons, URL window, and status bar, vertical scrollbar 16 pixels wide (which will appear whether scaling or not) and no horizontal scrollbar. Netscape also imposes a mandatory 10-pixel left and top margin if no frameset is used, so that must be subtracted from the following if not using framesets:

640x480 -- 620x300
800x600 -- 780x420
1024x768 -- 1004x588
1280x1024 -- 1260x844


Netscape Navigator 4.07 & 4.5
These measurements presume the user has a normal start menu, default menu, buttons, URL window, and status bar, vertical scrollbar 16 pixels wide (which may be discounted if scaling to fit, that is, add it to the widths shown below) and no horizontal scrollbar):

640x480 -- 620x302
800x600 -- 780x422
1024x768 -- 1004x590
1280x1024 -- 1260x846


Regardless of chosen aspect ratio, the following considerations apply: Using the full display dimensions (or aspect ratio) can be problematic. Always consider the true size of the window after the interface elements are displayed and use that size for the Flash movie.
When scaling the movie with the ExactFit option, on some displays, the movie will be distorted (stretched horizontally or vertically). Using the Default (Show All) option, some browsers configurations may have part of the work area showing. Using the NoBorder option may cut part of the movie off, either horizontally or vertically, depending on the aspect ratio of the movie.



Last updated: January 27, 2000
Created: January 19, 2000

Hi
Thanks for the detailed answer. If I have understood correctly, I am going to produce the best quality movie by setting the movies dimensions to correspond to one of the options listed, choosing the one which I think most people will view my site at. Then I publish at 100% scale. Is that correct?

Any ideas about my question 2.

Thanks for all your help

David

You can test how your movie looks and performs 100% by publishing a copy at 100% at file>publish settings > HTML tab

The movie will scale to fit the browser window, but its porportion will follow your own settings.

Have a look at how these folks do it:
http://www.gabocorp.com/
(IE only)

Hi
What do you think of the 'match movie' option found in the drop down select option on the File - publish html TAB dialog. That sounds like if I set the movie to a certain size then the published move will be exactly the same size, or have I misinterpreted what 'match movie' is all about.

thanks
David

Match Movie will make it the same size as you created it...This is especially usefull if you are importing the movie into Dreamweaver and you need it to fit into an exact space!

Thanks Stryker - I appreciate your help
regards
David