Converting Symbol Instances to Graphics

At times, you'll want to break the link between a placed instance of a symbol and the master symbol. You may want to redraw the shape in a specific instance but not in every instance, for example. To convert a symbol back to an independent shape or set of shapes, break it apart, just as you break apart grouped shapes (see Chapter 5).

To break the symbol link

1.

On the Stage, select the symbol instance whose link you want to break.

2.

Choose Modify > Break Apart, or press -B (Mac) or Ctrl-B (Windows) (Figure 7.38). Figure 7.38. The Properties tab of the Property inspector reveals that the selected graphic is a symbol instance (top). To break the link with its master symbol, choose Modify > Break Apart. The Properties tab of the Property inspector reveals that the selection now consists of shapes; it's no longer a symbol instance (bottom). Flash breaks the link to the symbol in the library and selects the symbol's elements. The Properties tab of the Property inspector no longer displays information about the instance of the symbol; it displays information about the selected shapes. If you grouped any of the original elements, they remain grouped after you break the link; ungrouped elements stay ungrouped. Any symbols that existed within the original symbol remain as instances of their respective master symbols. Now you can edit these elements as you learned to do in previous chapters.