Flash .swf files
When you’re finished editing a source file and ready to distribute your creation, you simply export a .swf (pronounced “swif”) Flash Player file. A .swf file can be viewed by anyone who has an Internet browser and the Flash Player plug-in. The audience can’t edit the .swf—they can only watch it.
The process for creating a new .swf file is simple. You open a .fla file, click File, Export Movie, and then specify the name and file location for the .swf file in the Export Movie dialog box. Although more details are involved, the important point to understand is that exporting involves creating a new file (the .swf file), but the .fla file remains untouched. It’s similar to using Save As or Save a Copy As in some other software programs. Whatever you do, you should always keep a copy of your .fla file. You can always create more .swf files from it—or make edits, and then create more .swf files.
Flash .swf files
When you’re finished editing a source file and ready to distribute your creation, you simply export a .swf (pronounced “swif”) Flash Player file. A .swf file can be viewed by anyone who has an Internet browser and the Flash Player plug-in. The audience can’t edit the .swf—they can only watch it.
The process for creating a new .swf file is simple. You open a .fla file, click File, Export Movie, and then specify the name and file location for the .swf file in the Export Movie dialog box. Although more details are involved, the important point to understand is that exporting involves creating a new file (the .swf file), but the .fla file remains untouched. It’s similar to using Save As or Save a Copy As in some other software programs. Whatever you do, you should always keep a copy of your .fla file. You can always create more .swf files from it—or make edits, and then create more .swf files.