The first file below is a Flash .swf file with a size equal to 1 Kbyte. The second file below is a JPG bitmap exported from the first file and saved with medium compression settings with a size equal to 13 Kbytes, thirteen times larger than the Flash file it was created from. The original Flash .fla file is 43 Kbytes. If we export as an uncompressed 24-bit .bmp format image the size is equal to 647 Kbytes, hundreds of times larger than the .swf file. This is why Flash is called 'fast'. The filesizes are usually very small compared to bitmaps of similar content so they download FAST!!

It is important to keep in mind that since Flash can import bitmaps, Flash files containing bitmaps will be as large as the bitmaps would be by themselves, even possibly a bit larger. This is why Flash provides the option of converting a bitmap to a vector to reduce its filesize.

Another advantage of SWF files is that you can edit the individual objects forever. Editing the circle or rectangle in the bitmaps is difficult if not impossible.

Yet another cool thing about SWF files is they will enlarge their scale to fit your browser window, whereas bitmaps will not. Click the links above the images to see this in action:

SWF File (1 Kbyte):

Compressed JPG Bitmap (13 Kbytes):

Uncompressed BMP File (647 Kbytes):

SWF File containing imported BMP file (10 Kbytes):

SWF containing TRACED BMP File (39 Kbytes):

Jeff Sale