The Color Swatches Panel

The Color Swatches panel houses all the color and swatches used in a Flash document (see Figure 5.3). The Color Swatches panel lets you quickly see what color palette is being used in a document.

Figure 5.3. The Color Swatches panel lets you track colors used in a document.

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Creating Custom Color Swatches

Whenever you create a custom color in the Color Mixer, you have the option to add it by using the Color Mixer's options pop-up menu. When you choose Add Swatch here, it is added as a swatch in the bottom portion or pane of the Color Swatches panel. You can then use this added swatch in your Flash document whenever you want. This way, there is no need to try and re-create a particular gradient you made previously, and you're guaranteed consistency throughout your presentation.

Swatch File Extensions

RGB swatch palettes or files can be imported and exported between Flash documents by using the options in the Color Swatches panel. These files are known as Flash Color Set or .clr files. You can also import and export RGB color palettes using Color Table files or .act files. These files can be used with Macromedia Fireworks and Adobe Photoshop.

To import a color palette to a document, choose either Add Colors or Replace Colors from the Color Swatches panel's options pop-up menu. Find the file, select it, and click OK.

To export a color palette, choose Save Colors from the Color Swatches panel's options pop-up menu. In the pop-up dialog box, type the specific name you wish to call your color palette. Choose Flash Color Set or Color Table for the Save As Type (Windows) or Format (Macintosh). Click Save.

Web-Safe Colors

Since all Web browsers and monitors are different, some find it reassuring to use Web-safe colors. Although this palette can be limiting, it assures the designer that the end user will see the exact color chosen , ultimately giving the designer more control over the design. Flash gives you the option to load the Web-safe 216-color palette. Within the Color Swatches panel's options, simply choose Web-216.

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