adobe flash cs4 – illustrated unit c: using symbols and the library panel

Adobe Flash CS4 – Illustrated

Unit C: Using Symbols and the Library Panel


Objectives

Understand symbols and instances

Understand the Library panel

Create a symbol

Add instances to the Stage

Edit an instance

Edit a symbol

Organize the Library panel


Understanding Symbols and Instances

Symbol Instance

Copy of an object that can be reused many times while minimizing file size

Convert existing objects to a symbol or create a new one

Stored and managed on the Library panel

A copied symbol

Create by dragging a symbol from Library to Stage

Stored and managed on the Stage


Understanding Symbols and Instances

Viewing a symbol and its instances


Symbol Types

Symbol icons


Symbol Types

Using the Convert to Symbol dialog box to create a symbol


How Symbols Help Reduce File Size

Only the symbol on the Library panel contributes to document’s file size, no matter how many instances you create

Flash adds instance’s properties to the file; amount of actual data added is minor


Understanding the Library Panel

Manage symbols and media elements in current document

Access libraries in other open documents

Create, edit, preview, and organize symbols


Using the Library Panel

Management tool for organizing symbols and other elements Access libraries from other open

documents Share element or symbol from another

movie

Sample libraries (Common Libraries) Access preset buttons and sounds


Using the Library Panel

Viewing symbols in the Library


Naming Symbolson the Library Panel

Follow an effective naming convention Convenience and accuracy Lowercase only Acceptable: Hyphens and underscores Not acceptable: Spaces, tabs, brackets,

slashes, punctuation, or characters above number keys


Understanding Hyphensand Underscores in Names

Flash sees hyphens as spaces separating words; sorts by first word

Flash sees underscores as being part of the word; sorts entire name string

Consistent use of underscores or hyphens List is and appears in alphabetical order

Alternate use of underscores and hyphens List will not appear to be in alphabetical order

because Flash sorts underscores first


Understanding Hyphensand Underscores in Names

Comparing symbol names with underscores and hyphens


Understanding Transformationand Registration Points

Transformation point Orients object every time it is

transformed or animated

Registration point Default point; positions object on the

Stage Crucial when using ActionScript to move

instances


Understanding Transformationand Registration Points

Transformation and registration points


Creating a Symbol

Different ways Convert an existing object (most

common way) Create a new symbol Add a preset symbol (buttons and

sounds, primarily) from Common Libraries


Creating a Symbol

Convert to Symbol dialog box


Creating a Symbol

Viewing a new symbol in the Library panel


Creating a Symbol

Viewing instance properties


Adding Instances to the Stage

Drag symbol’s preview thumbnail or symbol name on the Library panel to the Stage



Adding a second instance to a layer



Positioning the waveFoam_gr instance



Constructing an element using multiple instances


Editing an Instance

Different ways Use Properties panel and Transform panel Select options for the Free Transform Tool

Change color of an instance by applying an effect to it on the Properties panel

Each instance can have individual coloring; set in Color Effect section (brightness, tint, transparency, advanced color options)


Editing an Instance

Properties for the Tint style


Understanding RGB Color

RGB color Default color

model

Additive primary colors of light Red, green, blue Combine to

produce other colors

Additive primary colors


Editing a Symbol

Different ways Use Edit menu (provides three ways) Double-click an instance on Stage or on

Library panel to open it for editing

Changes affect every instance automatically


Editing a Symbol

Edit symbol commands


Editing a Symbol

Editing a symbol in place


Editing a Symbol

Editing color in a symbol


Organizing the Library Panel

Create folders

Sort elements in ascending or descending order



Viewing columns in the Library panel



Creating a folder in the Library panel

Viewing symbols in a folder

adobe flash cs4 – illustrated unit c: using symbols and the library panel

Documents

flash sorts underscores

library panelmanage

library panelviewing

symbol typesusing

library panelfollow

library panelcreate

objectivesunderstand

symbols help