In Flash, a symbol represents a movie clip, button or
graphic that you have created. Symbols make it easier to use
the same object over and over again without having to
re-create it, which is a waste of time. In this section, we
will learn how to create, modify and remove symbols you have
created. We will also learn how to add effects to these
symbols, enhancing your movie.
Converting to symbols:
In the stage area, draw a graphic of your choice, using any
tool and colors of your choice. Once you have a new shape on
your stage, select it. Your drawing is now selected, from the
menu, go to "Insert> Convert to Symbols". A window will appear
in the middle of your screen called "Symbol Properties".
Choose the graphic option, then name your symbol "my drawing".
(Shown in figure 1.9)
(Figure 1.9)
Click OK and you will be taken back to your stage. Select
your drawing by clicking it once now, and you should notice a
line surrounding it.
Library:
Flash takes it upon itself to add all your graphics and
buttons to a small database called the Library. This is where
flash allows you to view, edit and remove items you have
created. To view the Library, hit CTRL+L and it will show up.
(Shown in figure 2.1)
(Figure 2.1)
Resizing and Rotating:
Using the shape you have converted into a symbol, select it,
and click on the resize
button, and
resize it to any size you want. Select your symbol again, and
this time click on the rotate
button, and
rotate your symbol by dragging it in a circular motion using
the little white circles surrounding it. When you are done,
deselect your symbol.
(Shown in figures 2.2 and 2.3)
(figure 2.2 and 2.3) Resizing and Rotating symbols
Adding effects:
Select your symbol, and from the menu, go to "Window> Panels>
Effects". You can set any effect you want to your drawing, in
this sample, I used my light yellow happy face and turned into
a light blue happy face using the Advanced Effects. You can
play around with these options by selecting one of the options
in the pull down menu, until you get the result you want.
(Figure 2.4)
Editing, Renaming and Deleting symbols:
Select your symbol on your stage, and hit DELETE. Your
graphics is now gone from the stage, but not from the library.
In the library, choose your symbol, and now slide it onto the
stage area. Now you have your drawing back where it used to
be. To rename, edit, delete or duplicate, you must right click
on your symbol in the library, and select one of the above.
Click on Edit, and you will be taken to a new stage, where you
will be able to edit your drawing, and once you are done, go
back to Scene 1 by clicking on the "Scene 1"
button
above your timeline. Now rename your symbol to My First
Drawing. If you are getting tired of your little drawing,
now's the time to get rid of it, right click on it in the
Library, and select DELETE. An alert window will show up, and
you must click YES to completely delete it. Now you are left
with a blank movie clip, perfect for the next lesson.
This concluded the Symbols section, please
proceed to the Layers section.
