Flash Week 3 Presentation by Mindy McAdams University of Florida

Movie Clip symbols

Flash: Movie Clip symbols We have seen two of the three types of symbol in Flash: Graphic Button Now we encounter the third symbol type: Movie Clip A movie clip symbol is a movie inside a movie, a timeline inside a timeline

We have seen two of the three types of symbol in Flash:

Graphic

Button

Now we encounter the third symbol type:

Movie Clip

A movie clip symbol is a movie inside a movie, a timeline inside a timeline

Inside a Movie Clip symbol:

Movie Clip symbols You can guess there are three graphic symbols (sun, earth, moon) … Can you understand the two movie clips? Let’s look at the SWF and the FLA …

You can guess there are three graphic symbols (sun, earth, moon) …

Can you understand the two movie clips?

Let’s look at the SWF and the FLA …

Registration point and transformation point

Registration point The registration point can be set when you first Convert to Symbol ( open FLA ) It becomes more important with movie clips than with buttons or graphics

The registration point can be set when you first Convert to Symbol ( open FLA )

It becomes more important with movie clips than with buttons or graphics

Registration point While sometimes you might want to change the registration point (as shown above, right) … Usually you will want to make sure it is at the top left corner.

While sometimes you might want to change the registration point (as shown above, right) …

Usually you will want to make sure it is at the top left corner.

Transformation point The transformation point is completely different from the registration point. It is represented by a white dot (white, only when Free Transform tool is selected).

The transformation point is completely different from the registration point.

It is represented by a white dot (white, only when Free Transform tool is selected).

Transformation point The transformation point can be dragged into a new position ( only when the Free Transform tool is selected).

The transformation point can be dragged into a new position ( only when the Free Transform tool is selected).

Transformation point Q: Why would you move the transformation point? A: So that you can rotate the symbol on that new point (using Free Transform tool).

Q: Why would you move the transformation point?

A: So that you can rotate the symbol on that new point (using Free Transform tool).

Instance names

Movie Clip instance names You know how to label a frame The frame label lets ActionScript refer to that frame by its label, like a nickname ActionScript can control any movie clip The movie clip instance on the Stage must have its own name -- an instance name If you forget to write an instance name, you cannot control the clip with AS

You know how to label a frame

The frame label lets ActionScript refer to that frame by its label, like a nickname

ActionScript can control any movie clip

The movie clip instance on the Stage must have its own name -- an instance name

If you forget to write an instance name, you cannot control the clip with AS

Review: Frame labels The frame label is typed into the Properties panel. This works only if the frame has been selected on the Timeline.

The frame label is typed into the Properties panel.

This works only if the frame has been selected

on the

Timeline.

Movie Clip instance names To write an instance name for a movie clip, the instance must be selected on the Stage. Type the instance name in the Properties panel.

To write an instance name for a movie clip, the instance must be selected on the Stage.

Type the instance name in the Properties panel.

Button instance names Buttons can also have instance names. To write an instance name for a button symbol, the instance must be selected on the Stage.

Buttons can also have instance names.

To write an instance name for a button symbol, the instance must be selected on the Stage.

Graphic symbols: No instance names Graphic symbols cannot be assigned an instance name. So if you need ActionScript to address a symbol, it cannot be a Graphic.

Graphic symbols cannot be assigned an instance name.

So if you need ActionScript to address a symbol, it cannot be a Graphic.

The End Presentation by Mindy McAdams http://mindymcadams.com