Flash Symbols

Importing from Illustrator files

Flash allows you to import Adobe Illustrator files onto the stage. (short cut - CTRL+R)

View and choose the import options carfully, as they affect how they are imported.

You can also Copy/Paste from Illustrator into Flash if you want.

Symbols

A symbol is a reusable asset. Thus is can be used multiple times easily within Flash.

When a symbol is placed on the stage, it is reffered to as an instance of that symbol You can have multiple instances on the stage at the same time, or different times if you wish, within Flash.

There are three main types of symbols:

Movie Clip - one of the most common, and most flexible. Their timeline is independant of the main timeline. Can have filters applied to them, and can be scripted against fairly easily.
Graphic - time line is synchonized with the main time line. The least flexible, and least likely used.
Buttons - A special symbol used for interactivity (buttons).

Creating Symbols

There are several ways to create a symbol.

Insert > New Symbol
Select an element on the stage then Modify > Convert to Symbol (F8 - keyboard short cut)

Remember to give you symbols meaningful names when you build them. This allows you to find them faster in the library.

The clips registration point is the point which where to determine position for the symbol. It also gives the axis for rotation.

Editing a Symbol

To edit a symbol on the stage - double click on an instance of the symbol.

You can also double click on the symbol in the library.

Adjusting Color, and Display Effects

Movie Clips and Buttons can have color and effects added to the instance.

Properties Panel, Color Effect Sub Panel, allows you to change the:

brightness
tint
transparency (alpha)
or a combination (advanced)

Under the Display Sub Panel you can change how the instance is drawn on the screen. Think the color modes in Photoshop.