Tour the user interface

First you'll open the starting FLA file that you'll use to complete this lesson. Each lesson includes one start file, and a finished file that demonstrates how the FLA file should appear upon completion of the lessons.

1. To open your start file, in Flash select File > Open. Then do one of the following:
   • If you're using a Windows 2000 or XP operating system, browse to <boot drive>\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Macromedia\Flash MX 2004\<language>\Configuration\ HelpPanel\HowDoI\QuickTasks\start_files and double-click document_start.fla.

     Note: If the Application Data folder is hidden, you'll need to change your Windows Explorer settings to see the folder.

   • If you're using a Windows 98 operating system, browse to <boot drive>\Windows\Application Data\Macromedia\Flash MX 2004\<language>\ Configuration\HelpPanel\HowDoI\QuickTasks\start_files and double-click document_start.fla.
   • If you're using a Macintosh operating system, browse to <Macintosh HD>/Applications/Macromedia Flash MX 2004/First Run/HelpPanel/HowDoI/QuickTasks/start_files and double-click document_start.fla.

   Note: The QuickTasks\finished_files folder contains completed versions of lesson FLA files, for your reference.

   The document opens in the Flash authoring environment. The document already includes two layers in the Timeline. You'll learn more about layers in the lesson Work with Layers.

   One of the layers is a guide layer, which assists you in placing objects on the Stage. The other layer is a content layer in which to place the objects that will compose your document.

   Note: Guide layers do not appear in the Flash content that you test or publish.

2. Select File > Save As and save the document with a new name, in the same folder, to preserve the original start file.

   As you complete this lesson, remember to save your work frequently.