2.5. Adding ColorThe Colors section of the Tools panel lets you choose the colors for your strokes and fills. Before you click one of the drawing icons to begin drawing (or afterward, to change existing colors) you can click either of the Stroke or Fill icons in the Color Section to bring up a color palette, as you see in Figure 2-22. Choose a color from the color palette, and Flash applies that color to the Stage as you draw. 2.5.1. Changing the Color of a Stroke (Line)One of the best things about drawing in Flash is how easy it is to change things around. If you draw a bright orange line using the Pencil tool, for example, you can change that line an instant later to spruce, chartreuse, or puce (and then back to orange again) with just a few simple mouse clicks. Note: In Flash, all lines are made up of strokes. The Flash drawing tools that produce strokes include the Pencil, the Pen, the Line, and the shape tools (Oval, Rectangle, and PolyStar). Flash gives you two different ways to change the color of a stroke: the Property Inspector and the Ink Bottle tool. Figure 2-21. Copying and pasting is the easiest way to try out a look. If you're copying a complex image, as shown here, you may want to group the selected image first by choosing Modify Group. (Theres much more detail on grouping objects on Section 5.2.4 in Chapter 5.) For additional copies, simply choose Edit Paste in Center or Edit Paste in Place again.2.5.1.1. Coloring strokes with the Property InspectorChanging the color of a stroke using the Property Inspector is best for situations when you want to change the color of a single stroke or when you want to change more than just the color of a stroke (for example, you want to change stroke thickness or the color of the fill inside the stroke). To change the color of a stroke using the Property Inspector:
Figure 2-22. Before you begin drawing with the Pen or Pencil tools (both of which let you create strokes), you can choose the color Pen or Pencil you want to use by clicking the Stroke Color icon and then selecting a color from the palette that appears. If you want to change the color that appears when you use the Brush tool (which creates fills), you need to click the Fill Color icon (and select a color) before you click the Brush tool and begin to draw.Figure 2-23. Using the Property Inspector is a quick and easy way to change the color of a single stroke. First, select the stroke you want to recolor; then, in the Property Inspector that appears, click the Stroke Color icon. When you do, the Color Picker appears, complete with any custom color swatches you've added to it (if any). The instant you choose a color, the Color Picker disappears and the selected stroke(s) change to the new color. Notice here that the Fill Color icon has a slash through it, meaning that no fill is currently selected.2.5.1.2. Coloring strokes with the Ink Bottle toolThe Ink Bottle tool is great for situations when you want to apply the same color to a bunch of different strokes all in one fell swoop. To change the color of a stroke (or several strokes) using the Ink Bottle tool:
Tip: If all you want to do is change the color of one stroke, you don't need to select it first. Just click the Ink Bottle tool and then, on the Stage, click the stroke to recolor it. 2.5.2. Changing the Color of a FillIf you change your mind about the color of any of the fills you add to the Stage, no problem. Flash gives you two different ways to change the color of a fill: the Property Inspector and the Paint Bucket tool. Note: The Flash drawing tools that produce fills include the Brush tool and all of the shape tools (Oval, Rectangle, and PolyStar). 2.5.2.1. Coloring fills with the Property InspectorUsing the Property Inspector to change the color of a fill is great for situations when you want to change more than just fill color: for example, you want to change both fill color and the color of the stroke outline surrounding the fill. To change the color of a fill using the Property Inspector:
Tip: To change the color of a bunch of fills quickly, select the fills you want to recolor first; then select the Fill Color icon and choose a new color. When you do, Flash automatically redisplays all your selected fills using your new color. Figure 2-25. When you select a fill-containing shape (here, the inside of a circle), the Property Inspector automatically appears. In the Property Inspector, you see the Fill Color icon. Click it to display the Color Picker and then click to choose a new color for your fill. If you don't see the exact color you want, you can click the Custom Color icon to blend your own custom shade . And while you're here in the Property Inspector, you can also change the stroke outline of the shape, if you like.2.5.2.2. Coloring fills with the Paint Bucket toolThe Paint Bucket tool is great for situations where you want to apply the same color to one or more fills on the Stage, either one fill at a time or all at once. To change the color of a fill using the Paint Bucket tool:
Tip: If you don't have a completely closed outline around your fill, Flash might not let you apply a fill color. To tell Flash to ignore small gaps (or medium gaps, or even relatively large gaps) surrounding your fill: in the Options section of the Tools panel (Figure 2-26, bottom), click Gap Size . Then, from the pop-up menu that appears, turn on the checkbox next to Close Small Gaps, Close Medium Gaps, or Close Large Gaps. Then try to modify your fill again. (If you're unsuccessful , you may want to consider closing the gap yourself using one of Flash's drawing tools.) Figure 2-26. Top: Click the Fill Color icon to choose a new color for your fills. As you move your cursor around the Color Picker, you notice the Preview Window displays the color your cursor happens to be over at any given time. |