Flash 2 is a vector-graphics format that has attracted much praise in web design since its acquisition by Macromedia in 1997. Flash was previously owned by
FutureWave and was then called FutureSplash (before that CelAnimator). In spite on the many advantages that it then offered, the package has such a high learning curve that few web designers took the time to learn
it.However, as a tool for generating enhanced site interactively, few could deny its latent potential. Today, almost one year after its acquisition, the Flash 2 release realizes this and delivers a terrific
product.
A simple example of what Flash can do is seen on web sites that incorporate Flash designed toolbars. These toolbars, when clicked upon, can change their shape, size, color, and font type with very small
file size (30k approx.). In addition, they can integrate sounds they change depending on where the user moves his mouse. It is because of these features that Flash is helping to take the web from being a static
environment into a more entertaining and interactive one.
Resolution-independent
This Flash 2 release produces extremely accurate, resolution-independent, vector-based work. It produces highly-detailed
line art and can import from numerous packages including FreeHand, Illustrator and AutoCAD.
Flash 2, as previously mentioned, is vector-based, which means that the images are based on mathematical instructions that make the file size much smaller and quicker to
download. This allows bitmap images to be imported and then refinement by tracing them into placed images that work alongside the vector. All of this is
handled behind the scenes and no programming is required to take advantage of such features.
Import & Export
Flash 2 imports an impressive selection of file formats including EPS,
GIF, JPEG, AutoCAD DXF, BMP, Enhanced Metafile, AIFF, Windows Metafile and, another Macromedia product, Shockwave. Flash 2's export capacities allow QuickTime movies, animated GIFs and PICT
sequences. Flash 2 can also export as SWF sequences. The SWF format is a very powerful on the web as the images are vector based - as opposed to poorer quality raster or bitmap file - and smaller in file
size; these files stream into the website. The file plays as it downloads, byte by byte, rather than having to wait for the entire file to arrive en masse.
Images can also be saved in over twenty Mac and Windows file formats including Flash Player and QuickTime.
Features:
Flash 2 includes support for rollovers, embedded graphics, vector fonts
and sounds effects. The resolution independence means that even resizing or zoom in/out on a Flash graphic will generate no loss of quality. 
This is highly impressive compared with the sever limitations that are imposed in GIF and JPEG files. The integrated drawing tools include onion-skinning
(which allows tracing and positioning), snap-to-grid, line smoothing and gradient fills. The possibility to onionskin - see through multiple outlines - allows one to make complex
images that can far outperform simple javascript mouseovers ( 'mouseover' is when an image changes color or size when the mouse is moved over it). Though there are text-handling
tools, these are not very advanced and lag far behind most page-layout programs.