Working with Graphics on Different Layers

Unless you lock shapes, or lock or hide layers, the graphics on all layers are available for editing, but you can add shapes only to the active layer (the one that's currently selected). You can use any of the techniques you learned in Chapter 4 to modify merge-shapes and drawing-objects.

To activate a layer

• To select the layer where you want to add a graphic-object, do either of the following:

  • In the Timeline, click the layer name.
    
    The area containing the layer name highlights and a pencil icon appears to the right of the layer name. Flash selects all the graphic-objects on that layer.
    
    
  • On the Stage, click a graphic-object.
    
    Flash selects that graphic-object and highlights the layer name as described above.
    
    

To edit shape outlines on inactive layers

1.	In a document with shapes on two or more layers, using the selection tool, position the pointer over a shape on an inactive layer (one without the pencil icon). The curve or corner-point icon appears.
2.	Drag the outline of the shape on the inactive layer.
3.	Release the mouse button. Flash redraws the shape (Figure 6.20). The layer that was active originally remains active. Figure 6.20. Oval is the active layer, but you can still edit shapes on inactive layers. Modifying a shape's outline with the selection tool doesn't activate the shape's layer.

To edit fills across layers

1.	In a document with shapes on two or more layers, select the paint-bucket tool from the Tools panel.
2.	From the Color Mixer panel, choose a new color.
3.	Position the paint-bucker over a shape on an inactive layer and click. Flash fills the shape with the new color, but the layer remains inactive (Figure 6.21). Figure 6.21. Using the paint-bucket tool to change a fill color on an inactive layer doesn't activate that layer.

Tip

• When you're working with merge-shapes, get into the habit of creating each one on a separate layer. That way, if you need to tweak the stacking order, you can. It won't hurt to have drawing-objects on separate layers too; more layers don't increase the file size of your final movie.