Advice on Creating a New Site

hey guys,
I'm going to start a new site project in flash. I'm planning on creating some semi elaborate scenes in 2d (don't know anything about 3d in flash yet). So I wanted to know your advice to this question:
to make a semi-elaborate vector scene, is the best way to do it in flash, or in some other vector program, like illustrator or freehand? can I import illustrator or freehand scenes into flash?

thanks! -tim

Personally I create my basic graphics in CorelDRaw and export them as SWF file to use in Flash- Whatever works best for you......