A Flash question - vector vs pixel

[Rip Tanion]

I'm thinking of making a Flash version of a comic that I posted up a year ago. I plan to add some visual F/X and the like. In order to do this, I'm going to split it into two plates or layers; a B&W layer, and a color one underneath.

My question is this. While I plan to use a bitmap image for the B&W layer, should I use bitmap or vector graphics for the color layer? If you check out the original GIF version of the comic, you'll see that the colors are mostly flat and solid. My dilemma is that I'm not sure if it would be "cheaper" bandwidth and byte wise to use bitmap or vector shapes for the color layer. I've heard that vector is not always better than pixel, especially if the shape is complex, with many anchor points.

I guess I could experiment using both, but I'm pressed for time (as is it's only ten days until my Super Bowl deadline), and would I appreciate an answer from someone who has some expertise in the subject that would save me some time.

BTW, I've already tried my hand at doing at Flash version of another comic, as I have previously hyped.

[Tim Mallos]

This reply will be really of no help, but my gut tells me vector color will be slightly smaller.

T

[Greg Stephens]

So, will the black & while layer be transparent to allow the color layer below to show through? Effectively inks on top and colors below?

Even so, I have NO experience with Flash, so can't answer your question anyway. Just curious.

[Rip Tanion]

This reply will be really of no help, but my gut tells me vector color will be slightly smaller.

Yeah, initially my gut told me the same thing, but I began thinking that might not necessarily be the case. Things ain't always quite what they seem in this topsy-turvey web world.

So, will the black & while layer be transparent to allow the color layer below to show through? Effectively inks on top and colors below?

Yeah, that's basically it. In theory at least. In practice things always seem to be a bit more of a headache. The black & white artwork really won't change in the visual effects, but the colors will.

Even so, I have NO experience with Flash, so can't answer your question anyway.

I have only cusory experience in Flash myself, having dabbled in it now again. It's a very promising medium, but a bit difficult and time consuming to master.

I'm thinking more and more that I'm a bit over my head here, with another over-ambitious project. My first Flash comic took over a month to get it all right, and that's a lot simpler than what I've got planned here. I've got little more than a week until the Super Bowl (putting up a Super Bowl themed comic after the Super Bowl wouldn't make much sense), and I'm starting to think I may have to, as they used to say in Brooklyn, wait till next year; especialy since I've barley gotten started, and haven't quite figured out everything that I want to do.

Still, I haven't ruled out trying to get it done in time for this years big game. I want to make reference to last year's controversial half-time show (they don't call it "Flash" for nuttin'), and by next year people may have already forgotten "nipple-gate". Of course, something could happen this year, but somehow I can't see Paul McCartney pulling down his pants at the end of "Band On The Run".

[collegepros]

vector =)

[Rip Tanion]

vector =)

Thanks, but could you elaborate a little on why, please, mebbee, perhaps?

[Rip Tanion]

Well, I was a bit short on time, and ran into some snags making a Flash version of my Super Bowl comic. I'll do one next year. Instead I just added a Flash Halftime Show, which was enough work in its self.

I've hyped it here.

[kingotho]

You already have the entire page as a single Gif, which loads pretty quickly. Plus, your style lends itself to images. A vector version would be too large for all the dense textured blacks and such. You could have separated your main piece into many Gifs with transparent backgrounds, without alteration to the colors etc, and minimal impact on overall size.

Boomshanka,
KO

[Rip Tanion]

Yeah, I came to pretty much the same conclusion. Thanks for your input, anyway.

Now excuse me while I go smoke a banana.