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Unit C: Using Symbols and the Library Panel

Adobe Flash Professional CS5 – Illustrated

Objectives

Understand symbols and instancesUnderstand the Library panelCreate a symbolAdd instances to the StageEdit an instanceEdit a symbolOrganize the Library panel

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Understanding Symbols and Instances

Symbol InstanceCopy of an object that can be reused many times while minimizing file sizeConvert existing objects to a symbol or create a new oneStored and managed on the Library panel

A copied symbolCreate by dragging a symbol from Library to StageStored and managed on the Stage

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Symbol Types

Symbol icons

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Understanding Symbols and Instances

Viewing a symbol and its instances

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Symbol Types

Using the Convert to Symbol dialog box to create a symbol

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

Using the Break Apart Command

Break apart text Divide a word into its individual

characters

Break apart a character Convert it to an editable path

Break apart a bitmap Modify individual segments of the image

Adobe Flash Professional CS5 – Illustrated

Adobe Flash Professional CS5 – Illustrated

Understanding the Library Panel

Manage symbols and media elements in current documentAccess libraries in other open documentsCreate, edit, preview, and organize symbols

Adobe Flash Professional CS5 – Illustrated

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

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Using the Library Panel

Viewing symbols in the Library

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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

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Understanding Hyphensand Underscores in Names

Flash sees hyphens as spaces separating words; sorts by first wordFlash sees underscores as being part of the word; sorts entire name stringIf consistent in use of underscores or hyphens List will be in alphabetical order

If alternating use of underscores and hyphens List will not be in alphabetical order because

Flash sorts underscores first

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Understanding Hyphensand Underscores in Names

Comparing symbol names with underscores and hyphens

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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

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Understanding Transformationand Registration Points

Transformation and registration points

Adobe Flash Professional CS5 – Illustrated

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

Adobe Flash Professional CS5 – Illustrated

Creating a Symbol

Convert to Symbol dialog box

Adobe Flash Professional CS5 – Illustrated

Creating a Symbol

Viewing a new symbol in the Library panel

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Creating a Symbol

Viewing instance properties

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Adding Instances to the Stage

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

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Adding Instances to the Stage

Adding a second instance to a layer

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Adding Instances to the Stage

Positioning the waveFoam_gr instance

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Adding Instances to the Stage

Constructing an element using multiple instances

Understanding the Elements and Principles of Design

Elements of Design Basic ingredients that the artist uses

separately or in combination to produce artistic imagery

Principles of Design Determine how the Elements of Design

are used in a composition

Adobe Flash Professional CS5 – Illustrated

Adobe Flash Professional CS5 – Illustrated

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

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Editing an Instance

Selecting a fill

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Understanding RGB Color

RGB color Default color model

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

Additive primary colors

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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

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Editing a Symbol

Edit symbol commands

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Editing a Symbol

Editing a symbol in place

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Editing a Symbol

Editing color in a symbol

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Organizing the Library Panel

Create foldersSort elements in ascending or descending order

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Organizing the Library Panel

Viewing columns in the Library panel

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Organizing the Library Panel

Creating a folder in the Library panel

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Organizing the Library Panel

Viewing symbols in a folder

Grouping and Ungrouping Objects

Group Combine multiple shapes to form single

object

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