Using a Selection Rectangle

I l @ ve RuBoard

Flash allows you to select several elements (or parts of elements) in a single operation by drawing a special rectangle around them. The rectangle is not a graphic element; it just defines the boundaries of your selection.

To create a selection rectangle:

1. In the Toolbox, select the arrow tool.

2. Click and drag to pull out a selection rectangle (Figure 3.8).

   Figure 3.8. Clicking and dragging with the arrow tool creates a selection rectangle (top). Be sure to start from a point that allows you to enclose all the elements you want to select within the rectangle (middle). Release the mouse button, and you've selected those elements (bottom).

   

3. Continue dragging until the rectangle encloses all the elements you want to select.

   Be sure to start dragging at a point that allows you to enclose the elements you want within a rectangle drawn from that point.

4. Release the mouse button.

   Flash highlights whatever falls inside the selection rectangle.

Tip

• If, as you drag out your selection rectangle, you realize that it won't include all the elements you want to select, and you don't want to add to the selection, drag back toward your starting point and release the mouse button when the rectangle encloses nothing. Then you can start over at a new point.

I l @ ve RuBoard