The Authorware graphics tools are best used for prototyping and creating simple graphic elements. For more sophisticated graphics you should use a program other than Authorware. Often the graphics that you want to use already exist--for example, a set of engineering schematics, a collection of digitized photographs, or archives of historical documents saved on a CD. At other times you will need the power of a graphics application such as Macromedia Fireworks to create and edit images before you bring them into Authorware. See Creating and integrating images and graphics for a list of compatible image file formats.
Graphics are placed in display or interaction icons. These icons can hold many graphic objects. You can layer objects and give them various transparency modes. You can group several objects together and treat them as a single object.
For information on specific procedures, see Graphics--step-by-step procedures.
Before you start working with images and graphic objects, ask yourself the following questions: "What is the minimum bit depth I can use?" and "What is the minimum bitmap resolution I can use?"
Bit depth If your graphics will be downloaded from the Internet, keep the bit depth to a minimum. A minimum bit depth keeps file sizes small. Saving graphics at a color depth of 8 bits or less improves performance significantly.
Bitmap resolution Most graphics applications let you create bitmaps up to 300 dots per inch (dpi). High resolution such as that is useful for print media, but on the screen most of the information is lost, since monitors usually display around 72 to 96 dpi.
Import graphics at 72 dpi. If you import at a higher or lower resolution, Authorware resizes the graphic. For example, if you import a graphic at 144 dpi, the graphic appears at half its normal size.
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