
What’s new in Flash Asset Xtra 9
Load new kinds of image files at runtime, such as progressive JPEG images and non-
animated GIF and PNG files. If you load an animated file, the first frame of that animation
appears in the SWF file.
Bitmap caching lets you improve the performance of your applications at runtime by caching
a bitmap representation of your vector button or movie clip instances at runtime. You can use
ActionScript code to access this property or select the instance and then select an option in the
Property inspector to cache the instance. Caching a movie clip as a bitmap prevents Flash
Player from having to redraw the image continually, providing a significant improvement in
playback performance.
Alpha channel masking is supported if both the mask and the maskee movie clips use bitmap
caching. This support also lets you use a filter on the mask independently of the filter that is
applied to the maskee itself.
9-slice scaling enables you to scale movie clip instances without widening the strokes that
outline the movie clip. You can use ActionScript code or the Flash user interface to access this
feature.
The Flash Asset Xtra 8 supports 9-slice scaling of movie clips within Flash 8 sprites. 9-slice
scaling lets you scale movie clip instances without widening the strokes that outline the movie
clip. You can use ActionScript code or the Flash user interface to access this feature in either
Flash Basic 8 or Flash Professional 8.
A new garbage collector is built into Flash Player. It uses an incremental collector to
improve performance. For more information, see the Macromedia Flash Developer Center
article Performance Improvements in Flash Player 8.
NOTE
Mask layers do not support alpha channel masking. You must use ActionScript code to
apply a mask and use runtime bitmap caching.
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