Drawing: Using the drawing tools, usually located on the far left
section of flash, you can create artwork, buttons, even
layouts for a flash movie or a flash web site. This section
will show you how to use these tools and let you try them out
for yourself as we go. With these tools, you can draw lines,
circles, squares and other shapes. These tools are pretty much
what you have expected them to be, simple drawing tools.
Pointer:
The pointer
in
Flash is basically the cursor. You will need the pointer to
move, select, resize different objects in your movie. To
select an object, you can either double click on it, or click
and drag over it.
The oval tool:
Select the oval tool from your Tools menu
and
then click and drag a circle shape onto your stage. You can
start from anywhere from your stage, and once you are
satisfied with the size and shape of your circle, let go of
your mouse. Tip: If you hold down your "shift" key, while
drawing a circle, you will obtain a perfect circle. Once
this is done, you have a new circular shape on your stage
area.
The rectangle tool:
Select the rectangle tool from your Tools menu
and then click and drag a square or rectangle onto your stage.
You can do this the same way you did to create a circle.
Tip: If you hold down your "shift" key, while creating a
rectangle, you will notice a perfect square being created.
Once you are satisfied with the size and shape, let go of the
mouse.
Rounding over a rectangle/square: To create a rounded rectangle/square, select your
rectangle tool from the Tools menu, then select the "Rectangle
Radius Modifier"
tool. Set the size to 5, then click on OK. Create your shape,
and notice how the edges are rounded while you are drawing.
The pencil tool:
The pencil tool allows you to draw shapes on your stage
freehand. This means that you and your hand control the
position, length and curves in your line. Select the pencil
tool from your Tools menu
and draw a line
on you stage. You'll notice the line isn't perfect, but there
is a way to improve it. Select the line by clicking on it two
times, and then go to your line options and select the
straighten
button. Once this is selected, your line will become more
straight then it was before. You can also add the smooth
option which
will make your line perfectly smooth and clean. Now you have
perfect lines, the way you want them to be displayed.
The paint brush tool:
This tool is practically the
same
as the pencil tool, since it uses the same options as well as
giving you the same appearance you would get from your pencil
tool. Select the brush tool, and draw some lines in your
stage. Play with the straighten and smooth options and notice
the resemblance to the pencil tool.
The paint bucket tool:
Once you have deleted all the shapes and lines on your stage,
create a new square on your stage. Now you will notice the
colors in the square are the colors you have selected earlier.
Choose the paint bucket tool, and then select a color
from your "fill" menu
. Now that
you have selected a new color, click in the square with your
paint bucket, and your new color will be applied. You can do
this with any color you wish, and as many times as you want.
If you want to apply a gradient to your square, simple choose
the color menu, and select one of the default gradients. You
can click in your square, and for a more effective result,
click and drag the paint bucket while in the square. You will
notice a gradient being produced and moved in your square.
Later I will show you how to create your own gradients. Now
you have a good idea on how to fill in your shapes.
Outlines:
Each shape you create such as triangles, squares and circles
have an outline, which is a line surrounding the shape. Select
your line, by double clicking it, and go to your
line color menu, and choose a color for your line. Now while
your line is still selected, go to Window> Panels> Stroke
where a panel containing stoke options will appear. Choose the
Dashed option and notice your line will have a new look along
with the color you have just added to it. That's it, you now
know how to add style to your lines.
Now that you have completed the Drawing section, please
make sure you close this document and open a new one for the
next section, Symbols.
in
Flash is basically the cursor. You will need the pointer to
move, select, resize different objects in your movie. To
select an object, you can either double click on it, or click
and drag over it.
and
then click and drag a circle shape onto your stage. You can
start from anywhere from your stage, and once you are
satisfied with the size and shape of your circle, let go of
your mouse. Tip: If you hold down your "shift" key, while
drawing a circle, you will obtain a perfect circle. Once
this is done, you have a new circular shape on your stage
area.
and then click and drag a square or rectangle onto your stage.
You can do this the same way you did to create a circle.
Tip: If you hold down your "shift" key, while creating a
rectangle, you will notice a perfect square being created.
Once you are satisfied with the size and shape, let go of the
mouse.
tool. Set the size to 5, then click on OK. Create your shape,
and notice how the edges are rounded while you are drawing.
and draw a line
on you stage. You'll notice the line isn't perfect, but there
is a way to improve it. Select the line by clicking on it two
times, and then go to your line options and select the
straighten
button. Once this is selected, your line will become more
straight then it was before. You can also add the smooth
option 
which
will make your line perfectly smooth and clean. Now you have
perfect lines, the way you want them to be displayed.
same
as the pencil tool, since it uses the same options as well as
giving you the same appearance you would get from your pencil
tool. Select the brush tool, and draw some lines in your
stage. Play with the straighten and smooth options and notice
the resemblance to the pencil tool.
. Now that
you have selected a new color, click in the square with your
paint bucket, and your new color will be applied. You can do
this with any color you wish, and as many times as you want.
If you want to apply a gradient to your square, simple choose
the color menu, and select one of the default gradients. You
can click in your square, and for a more effective result,
click and drag the paint bucket while in the square. You will
notice a gradient being produced and moved in your square.
Later I will show you how to create your own gradients. Now
you have a good idea on how to fill in your shapes.
line color menu, and choose a color for your line. Now while
your line is still selected, go to Window> Panels> Stroke
where a panel containing stoke options will appear. Choose the
Dashed option and notice your line will have a new look along
with the color you have just added to it. That's it, you now
know how to add style to your lines.