Creating Your First Animated Movie with Flash CS3 - Grouping Objects
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There are several ways to group objects in Flash. In our above sample, you might think that there are only two objects available to group. However, that is not the case. Each line of the border surrounding each rectangle, the green filling of each rectangle, and indeed the two separate rectangles themselves can be grouped. In the future we may want to do just that, since it makes moving and aligning objects easier. For our purposes though, we are only going to group the borders around each object with its green filling.
Choose the Selection Tool and once again double click inside the green filling of your first rectangle. This will highlight both the frame and the filling. Next click Modify>Group (or press CTRL+G). The rectangle is now grouped. Go ahead and do the same thing to the second rectangle. Now if you drag the first rectangle over the second rectangle, and then drag it away again, you will notice that neither rectangle is affected.
Symbols
In addition to saving space through the use of vector graphics, Flash uses symbols and its library for the same function. Symbols allow users to create an object and use it multiple times without adding to the space used, as is the case in traditional software.
There are three types of symbols.
Movie Clip: Can hold static graphics but mostly used for animations.
Button: Used to create dynamic buttons. Movie clips can also be used for buttons.
Graphic for static images.
Click on the first rectangle you created (you don't need to double the green, as it is now grouped together). Next, click Modify>Convert to Symbol (or press F8). A pop-up box will appear asking you what type of Symbol you wish to convert the rectangle into. Choose Graphic and click OK.
If you look in the bottom right hand corner you will see that the rectangle has been saved to the library under the name Symbol1. To change the name, double click on the Symbol1 text and enter Rectangle. Press the Enter key to save the name change.
Next click on the rectangle on the stage and press the Delete button. But...my rectangle! I know, I know, we'll get it back in a moment. Look down at your library again. See, its still there. To put it back on the stage, simply click on it and drag it wherever you want it to appear.
Next: Creating the Bouncing Ball Program >>
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