Recipe 3.12. Managing Complex Content with Layer Folders

Problem

You have too many layers to view conveniently, and you want to group them logically.

Solution

Use layer folders.

Discussion

Layer folders enable you to group related layers, collapsing them when you want to work on a different set of layers. Layer folders can be nested, as well, so it is possible to create logical hierarchies of content. Layer folders are containers only; they do not have any frames, so the only content that can be added to them are layers and other layer folders.

To insert a layer folder, click the Insert Layer Folder button beneath the layer stack in the timeline. The new layer folder is inserted above the currently active layer. It is initially empty.

Working with layer folders is reasonably intuitive:

• To put layers inside a layer folder, drag them over a layer folder so that the layer folder is highlighted, and release the mouse. Layers inside folders are indented beneath the folder to indicate the relationship.

• To move a layer out of a folder, drag it between a folder and another layer, so that a short and wide selection appears, and release.

• To nest layer folders, select a layer in an existing folder, and insert a new layer folder. The new layer folder is also nested in the original layer folder. Alternatively, you can drag-and-drop any layer folder into any other layer folder.

• To move multiple layers into a folder, Shift-select a span of layers, or Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Macintosh).

• Deleting a folder also deletes all layers nested inside it. A warning message appears in this situation.

Layer folders are a useful feature for complex Flash movies. However, designers working with a high number of assets in a single movie may want to move complex elements into movie clips, rather than storing them in nested layer folders in the main timeline. Flash movie clips have several benefits above and beyond layer folders: they are scriptable, reusable, and more self-contained. In short, though both layer folders and movie clips enable logical organization and management of complex content, movie clips are generally more architecturally sound. Movie clips are discussed in Chapter 11.

See Also

Recipe 2.5