Before you can start you will need something to magnify. This could be a bitmap image such as a JPEG or GIF. It could also be a vector based image created with the typing or drawing tools in Flash (or in a Graphics program like Freehand, Illustrator, or CorelDraw). The vector based images are best because the file sizes are so small. Having said that they take more time to create as you have to draw every detail.

I have taken the easy root and scanned a map using PhotoShop and then saved it as a JPEG. Quick and easy but the files size is big: nearly 200kb.

If I was concerned with the file size I could have imported the scanned picture into a Graphics program and re-created the file before I started to create my magnifying glass in Flash. I would expect the graphics file to be about 10 or 20kb (once imported to Flash) rather than 200kb. A major difference.

Of course you can do this with a map but if you are using the magnifying glass on a photo, you have to stick to the JPEG.

The measurements of the image has to be quite large. Mine is 1200 pixels wide x 1000 pixels high. This is much taller and wider than most pictures that would be used on a web page (hence the 200KB). The reason for this is so that when magnified there is plenty of detail to look at.

Or: Create your own image. For the tutorial I recommend that you stick to the same size: 1200 x 1000 pixels