A BITMAP image comes in many formats including they JPG's BMP's GIf's and TIF's with the only difference between them being that they store the image data in different ways. For example the JPG format can compress images by describing blocks of color rather than each individual pixel, however this does hinder the quality of the image.

The main problem with using bitmap images in flash is that they describe each and ever pixel that the image is composed of. This in turn results in a large file, which then results in longer download times. Something every good website designer wants to avoid. So when you are considering to use a bitmap image in flash, just remember that flash is not designed as a bitmap program.

With that in mind you can if you really want to create a flip book style movie using a sequence of imported bitmaps that is fine, however the file size will be very large and will take so long to download that most people will have probably moved on!! So if it is possible, create everything in flash. If you have created a logo in paint for example, you can just pull it into flash and the begin to animate it. However you would be better off starting from the beginning and just creating it in flash. It may end up not being exactly the same and you maybe be losing some graphical quality, but the smaller file size and faster download times are definitely more advantageous.

There are a couple of guide lines for when to use a bitmap image, only use a bitmap when:

• You need to use a photo or lifelike images.
• You have to include screenshots.
• You need to include pictures of artwork.