How to Create a Basic Symbol in Flash

Flash symbols are objects that can act as containers for graphics and animations, with separate timelines independent of the main stage and the ability to be controlled by scripting. Symbols are stored in a library and can be duplicated and altered on stage.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Working installation of Adobe/Macromedia Flash MX or higher

1. To create a basic symbol, draw an object on your stage. You can also group more than one object in a single symbol.

2. Double-click the object to select it (single-clicking selects only the fill or the stroke). Alternately, to select multiple objects you can click and drag over a selection area or hold down the Shift key while clicking the objects that you want.

3. Click "Insert," then "Convert to Symbol" (PC shortcut F8). Alternately, if you want to create a blank symbol first and then draw inside the symbol container, click "Insert," then "New Symbol" (PC shortcut Ctrl+F8).

4. In the window that appears, type a name for your symbol.

5. Select a symbol type. A movie clip symbol has its own timeline and can hold animations. A button symbol has no timeline, but instead separate states of Up, Over, Down, and Hit, changing the appearance depending on the mouse action. A graphic symbol contains only a static image with no timeline. You can create symbols inside other symbols.

6. Click "OK." When you're done, a blue bounding box will appear around the shape to indicate that it's now a symbol.

7. To access your symbol in the library, use PC shortcut F11, or click "Window," then "Library."

[grouch]

on 12/13/2007 I always wondered how people made those. Thanks so much for the great step by step. I think I may give it a go.