Movie Clip or Graphic?

[Thor]

I think graphics add less to the file size than movieclips
but I have no proof I just heard that somewhere.

I didn't "heard this somewhere" but I always assumed it was true because it makes sense and it's the only logical reason for the Graphic to still even exist.

However the file size difference is probably like 8 bytes or something stupid like that

[Ingram-J/WristbandClock]

Graphics.

The only reason to use movie clips is for filesize boosting, speed lagging filters. Otherwise graphics are the best by far. they're smaller in filesize and you can see the frame they're on as you animate your movie.

Movie clips FTL.

[RomanClock]

There should be no file size difference between a movieclip or graphics because flash stores the pictures as vectors. Making it a graphic has no affect because its still just a vector, the only difference is that when the file is loaded its designated as a graphic rather than a movieclip (or even a button).
Vectors are a space saving technique and allow maximum compression since only a few points of information are saved. However, since flash draws them each frame, having lots of corners curves and colors will slow down the frame rate. Some of this can be alleviated by using the "Cache as Bitmap" feature. Vectors also allow smooth scaling, meaning when you stretch them they will not become pixelated.
Bitmaps and pictures take more space to store since it saves the color and location of each pixel in that picture. However, they are not drawn like vectors in flash. This way, bitmaps actually reduce lag in movies. Unlike vectors though, you cannot stretch them without causing them to become pixelated or disfigured.

In short:
Graphics and movieclips take the same file space, both are vectors
Vectors save file space but can create lag
Bitmaps use more file space but reduce lag

Graphics.
The only reason to use movie clips is for filesize boosting, speed lagging filters. Otherwise graphics are the best by far. they're smaller in filesize and you can see the frame they're on as you animate your movie.
Movie clips FTL.

You don't know how to use flash.

[peyoteclock]

i use movie clips for alot of stuff but i don't use scenes, i use graphics arranged on the timeline, i do this so i can see if everything synchs up to the sound properly.

[LoquatClock]

I still don't understand why you can't just use a one frame Movieclip instead of a graphic

Because then you can't select the animation as a whole and scale it/move it about.

GRAPHIC FTW.

[Thor]

Because then you can't select the animation as a whole and scale it/move it about.

What the hell are you talking about? Yes you can. How are you going about selecting the whole movie in such a way that it doesn't work on movieclips? I couldn't fuck up like that if I TRIED.

You guys keep saying shit like this but it's not making sense. Are you guys talking about making your whole movie inside of a movieclip or something stupid like that?

[Thor]

There should be no file size difference between a movieclip or graphics because flash stores the pictures as vectors. Making it a graphic has no affect because its still just a vector, the only difference is that when the file is loaded its designated as a graphic rather than a movieclip (or even a button).
Vectors are a space saving technique and allow maximum compression since only a few points of information are saved. However, since flash draws them each frame, having lots of corners curves and colors will slow down the frame rate. Some of this can be alleviated by using the "Cache as Bitmap" feature. Vectors also allow smooth scaling, meaning when you stretch them they will not become pixelated.
Bitmaps and pictures take more space to store since it saves the color and location of each pixel in that picture. However, they are not drawn like vectors in flash. This way, bitmaps actually reduce lag in movies. Unlike vectors though, you cannot stretch them without causing them to become pixelated or disfigured.

In short:
Graphics and movieclips take the same file space, both are vectors
Vectors save file space but can create lag
Bitmaps use more file space but reduce lag.

blah blah blah

yes everybody on the internet knows that.

I think the file size is bigger for MCs because they have to store data on movie how many frames long it is and keyframe locations even if it's 1 frame, but a graphic wouldn't need to store stuff like that because it's 1 frame all the time when it's actually in a movie. I guess it would store it anyway just in case, idk

I mean it's a tiny difference but still

[Slurpee]

Just to make sure, everybody here understands that graphics run alongside the main timeline right?

Like, if your graphic has 10 keyframes, and you place it on frame 100 in the main timeline, frame 7 of the graphic will display both in flash and in the .swf on frame 107 of the main timeline no matter the fuck what?

It makes it easier to animate certain things. I thought this was fairly obvious, but you guys are like biting each others heads off screaming yes it is no it isn't.

Say you have a movieclip of a foot coming up and down in a walking motion, and you want to have the foot squish a bug after about 3 or 4 cycles in and keep playing.
With a movieclip, you have to count the number of frames from when the clip first appeared on the main timeline, find the where it's coming down on the 3rd or 4th cycle, and then animate the bug being squished where it is with no frame of reference in regards to the foot, because movieclips only display the first frame when you're animating.
If you switched the movieclip to a graphic (which, I don't know if you guys are aware, you can fucking do on the fly anyway) then you wouldn't have to count frames or anything. The foot would display exactly where it would be during normal movie play, and you could animate the bug being squished with a perfect frame of reference.

[Ingram-J/WristbandClock]

You don't know how to use flash.

Yes I do. =)

[Munglai]

stuff like this is the reason I don't like Flash

too much bollocks, not enough animation say I!

[TremcladClock]

When animating, I use graphics for nearly everything because they're previewed in real-time. Synchronisation is essential! I use movieclips for a few different things, but there's no reason to use movieclips where graphics will suffice.

When programming, it's a different story all together.

[DigitalLemonClock]

YOU SHOULD DO WHAT I DO

YOU SHOULD FUCKING DO WHAT I DO

DO WHAT I DO YOU COCKFAG NOGOOD MOTHERFUCKERS

[GreyClock]

Never created a graphic in my life!

[Loki Clock]

I think graphics stop playing nested animations after a certain point, but they also render faster or something.

[AstronautClock]

actually you can set movieclips to play in the timeline aswell you noobs..

moveclips all the way forever

[Wind-up Clock]

I just use movieclips out of habit.

[Topcatyo]

I use graphics when I want a specific symbol to do something with something else and I have to know/control exactly when.
I use movieclips for single images or animated things that I don't care when something in the animation happens when.
I also use a movieclip when the graphic starts glitching, which Flash does a lot since apparently you can't have one tweened graphic after another on the same layer, which creates a lot of problems for me.

I use buttons when I need things to be clickable.

[Slurpee]

actually you can set movieclips to play in the timeline aswell you noobs.

My entire ass.

[koalaclock]

Graphics are linear timelines contained and controlled within a simple group

MovieClip's are independant timelines that operate in addition to the main (Stage) timeline

[AC Slater]

I use both evenly I would say.