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Symbols

You can create a symbol from selected objects on the Stage, or you can create an empty symbol and make or import the content in symbol-editing mode. You can also create font symbols in Flash. See "Creating font symbols. Symbols can have all the functionality that you can create with Flash, including animation.

By using symbols that contain animation, you can create Flash applications with a lot of movement while minimizing file size. Consider creating animation in a symbol when there is a repetitive or cyclic action—the up-and-down motion of a bird's wings, for example.

You can also add symbols to your document by using shared library assets during authoring or at runtime. See Using shared library assets.

To convert selected elements to a symbol:

  1. Select an element or several elements on the Stage. Then do one of the following:
    • Select Modify > Convert to Symbol.
    • Drag the selection to the Library panel.
    • Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh) and select Convert to Symbol from the context menu.
  2. In the Convert to Symbol dialog box, type the name of the symbol and select the behavior—Graphic, Button, or Movie Clip. See Types of symbols.
  3. Click in the registration grid to position the registration point for the symbol.
  4. Click OK.

    Flash adds the symbol to the library. The selection on the Stage becomes an instance of the symbol. You cannot edit an instance directly on the Stage—you must open it in symbol-editing mode. You can also change the registration point for a symbol. See Editing symbols.

To create a new empty symbol:

  1. Make sure that nothing is selected on the Stage. Then do one of the following:
    • Select Modify > New Symbol.
    • Click the New Symbol button at the lower left of the Library panel.
    • Select New Symbol from the Library options menu in the upper right corner of the Library panel.
  2. In the Create New Symbol dialog box, type the name of the symbol and select the behavior—Graphic, Button, or Movie Clip. See Types of symbols.
  3. Click OK.

    Flash adds the symbol to the library and switches to symbol-editing mode. In symbol-editing mode, the name of the symbol appears above the upper left corner of the Stage, and a cross hair indicates the symbol's registration point.

  4. To create the symbol content, use the Timeline, draw with the drawing tools, import media, or create instances of other symbols.
  5. When you have finished creating the symbol content, do one of the following to return to document-editing mode:
    • Click the Back button at the left of the Edit bar above the Stage.
    • Select Edit > Edit Document.
    • Click the scene name in the Edit bar above the Stage.

    When you create a new symbol, the registration point is placed at the center of the window in symbol-editing mode. You can place the symbol contents in the window in relation to the registration point. You can also move the symbol contents in relation to the registration point when you edit a symbol, in order to change the registration point. See Editing symbols.

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