Copying Symbols Between Movies

I l @ ve RuBoard

It's easy to reuse symbols. You can transfer symbols via the Clipboard, copying or cutting symbols from one movie and using one of the paste commands to place them in another movie. You can also transfer symbols by dragging them from one movie or library to another, or you can import an entire library of symbols directly into the library of an open movie file.

To transfer symbols to another movie:

  1. Open the destination file (the movie in which you would like to reuse existing symbols), or create a new file.

  2. Open the source file (the movie containing symbols that you want to reuse).

  3. Open the Library window for each file. Be sure to size and position the movie-editing and Library windows so that all four are visible on your screen at the same time.

  4. To transfer a symbol, do one of the following:

    • On the Stage of the source file, select a symbol and drag it to the Stage of the destination file (Figure 6.42).

      Figure 6.42. Flash lets you drag and drop symbols from Stage to Stage (A), Stage to Library window (B), Library window to Stage (C), or Library window to Library window (D).

      graphics/06fig42.gif

    • On the Stage of the source file, select a symbol and drag it to the lower portion of the Library window of the destination file.

    • In the Library of the source file, select a symbol and drag it to the Stage of the destination file.

    • In the Library of the source file, select a symbol and drag it to the lower portion of the Library window of the destination file.

      When you drag a symbol to the Stage, Flash places the symbol at the root level of the library hierarchy. You can also drag the symbol directly into a folder.

graphics/01icon02.gif Tips

  • If you drag a symbol to the Stage, and a symbol with that name already exists in the root level of the destination file's library (or if you try to place that "duplicate" symbol in a folder containing a symbol with that name ), Flash displays a warning dialog box. You can cancel the transfer or replace the existing symbol with the one you are transferring, rename the source file's symbol, create a new folder in your destination library and drag the symbol directly to that folder. Then you can rename the symbol in your destination file.

  • You don't have to open the source file to drag symbols from its library. Choose File > Open As Library to open just the Library window. Select a symbol and drag it to the destination Stage or Library window.

    You can also import all the symbols from one movie directly to another's library.


To import an entire library:

  1. Open or create the destination file.

  2. From the File menu, choose Import to Library (Figure 6.43).

    Figure 6.43. Choose File > Import to Library to bring a whole library of symbols and assets into the open movie's library.

    graphics/06fig43.gif

    The Import to Library dialog box appears.

  3. Navigate to the source file.

  4. Click Open.

    Flash brings all the assets from the selected source file's library into the destination file's library.

graphics/01icon02.gif Tip

  • You can use the File > Import to Library command to bring other individual asset filessuch as video clips, sounds, and bitmapsinto your movie as well. (You'll learn more about importing non-Flash graphics in Chapter 7; Chapter 14 covers importing sounds and video.)


I l @ ve RuBoard


Macromedia Flash MX for Windows and Macintosh. Visual QuickStart Guide
Macromedia Flash MX 2004 for Windows and Macintosh (Visual QuickStart Guides)
ISBN: 0582851165
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2002
Pages: 243

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net