Creating Custom Permanent Libraries

Flash 5 has a built-in set of Libraries that include buttons , graphics, Learning Interactions, movie clips, Smart Clips, and sounds (Window > Common Libraries). In addition to these Libraries, you can create your own custom Libraries.

If you have a set of graphics that you use all the time, it might be helpful for you to place these in a custom Permanent Library. A custom Permanent Library is added to the list of common Libraries and accessed the same way. It becomes part of your local Flash installation.

Creating a custom Permanent Library couldn't be easier. All you have to do is the following:

1. Create a Flash movie with all the symbols you want to have available in a Permanent Library.

2. Copy the FLA file into the Libraries folder in your Flash application folder.

The next time you select Window > Common Libraries, you'll see your new Library listed.

To get rid of a custom Library, browse to the Libraries folder in your application folder and delete the FLA you no longer want to use as a custom Library.

Obviously, because custom Libraries are really just Flash files, they can be shared among members of your team.