Export content to SWF

The SWF file format is a vector-based graphics file format for scalable, compact graphics for the web. When you export an InDesign document to a SWF file, the SWF file is ready for playback in a Flash Player. If you want to edit the exported file in Flash Professional, export using XFL instead of SWF.

For a video and instructions on exporting to SWF, see www.adobe.com/designcenter/indesign/articles/lrvid4030_id.html.

To view a sample SWF file and see tips on exporting to SWF, see Exporting Interactive Documents to SWF.

  1. Set up your document for exporting to SWF. For example, you may want to add navigation buttons and page transitions. See Create interactive SWF (Flash) files for the web.

  2. Choose File > Export.

  3. Specify a location and a filename.

  4. For Save As Type (Windows) or Format (Mac OS), choose SWF, and click Save.

  5. In the Export SWF dialog box, specify the following options, and then click OK.

    Size (pixels)
    Specify whether the SWF file is scaled by a percentage, fit to a monitor size you specify, or sized according to the width and height you specify.

    Pages
    Indicate whether all pages in the document are included, or specify a page range, such as 1-7, 9 to print pages 1 through 7 and 9. See Specifying pages to print.

    Spreads
    If this option is selected, each spread is treated as a single clip in the SWF file, regardless of how many pages appear in each spread. If this option is not selected, each page acts as a separate clip, like its own slide in a slideshow.

    Rasterize Pages
    This option converts all InDesign page items to bitmap. Selecting this option results in a larger SWF file, and page items may appear jagged when zoomed in on.

    Generate HTML File
    Select this option to generate an HTML page that plays back the SWF file. This option is especially useful for quickly previewing the SWF file in your web browser.

    View SWF After Exporting
    Select this option to play back the SWF file in your default web browser. This option is available only if you generate an HTML file.

    Text
    Specify how InDesign text is output. Choose InDesign Text To Flash Text to output searchable text that results in the smallest file size. Choose InDesign Text To Vector Paths to output the text as a series of smooth straight lines, like converting text to outlines. Choose InDesign Text To Raster Image to output the text in a bitmap image. Rasterized text may appear jagged when zoomed in on.

    Interactivity
    Specify which options are included in the exported SWF file: buttons, hyperlinks, page transitions, and interactive page curls. If Include Interactive Page Curl is selected, users playing the SWF file can drag a corner of the page to turn it, giving the appearance of turning the page in a real book.

    Image Compression
    Choose Auto to let InDesign determine the best quality for color and grayscale images. For most files, this option produces satisfactory results. Choosing JPEG is suitable for grayscale or color images. JPEG compression is lossy, which means that it removes image data and possibly reduces image quality; however, it attempts to reduce file size with a minimal loss of information. Because JPEG compression eliminates data, it can achieve much smaller files sizes. Choosing Lossless (Do Nothing) exports the JPEG file without lossy compression.
    If you notice a loss of image quality in transparent images when you export to SWF, choose Lossless (Do Nothing) to improve the quality.

    JPEG Quality
    Specifies the amount of detail in the exported image. The higher the quality, the larger the file size. This option is dimmed if you choose Lossless (Do Nothing) for Image Compression.

    Curve Quality
    Specifies the accuracy of the Bezier curves. A low number decreases the exported file size with a slight loss of curve quality. A high number increases the accuracy of the Bezier curve reproduction, but results in a slightly larger file size.