Working with layers?

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peter-ink - 30 Jul 2008 09:54 GMT

I downloaded the trial version of Flash CS3 yesterday, so I am very new to
Flash but I have a lot of experience with Illustrator, so I understand layers.

This is how I have approached my project - I have a background image on my
base layer and then I have made a series of other layers each with text or
graphics in them. Each layer is listed in the timeline with it's own name.

For my finished project, I was expecting to be able to simply turn on or off
the visibility of desired layers by clicking on buttons - thus creating a
simple walk through display. For example: Click on button "Layer One" and layer
1 is visible, click on button "Layer Two" and layer 1 disappears and layer 2
becomes visible - and so on.

I've spent hours reading the Help information - but can't get my head around
it. The Help info is very informative but mindboggling! What I want to do seems
so simple - or am I going about it all wrong??

Can someone please advise?

Cheers.

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Travis Newbury - 30 Jul 2008 12:33 GMT

> I downloaded the trial version of Flash CS3 yesterday, so I am very new to
> Flash but I have a lot of experience with Illustrator, so I understand layers.

You have to turn the items on eash layer "on and off" using visible,
or alpha. Visible makes the object "not there" alpha makes the objec
tthere, but you just can't see it.

So, on each layer, you have to make the objects on that layer a
MovieClip (select the items on the layer either as a group or
individually and and press F8) then you have to name the instance of
that movieclip (in the properties area), then in the event handler for
the button you have to set either the visible or alpha property of the
movieclips.

While this seems like a lot, it really isn't and becomes second nature
really quickly.

--
Travis
Flash Crap: http://travisnewbury.blogspot.com

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KrahnikBoi - 01 Aug 2008 00:21 GMT

It's somewhat difficult to tell from your description, but it sounds like
there's a good chance that you're going about it all wrong. Layers in the
timeline are more about creating your Flash, you can't control them the way
you want to. Or at all, for that matter.

Have you made any symbols? If not, look into them.

And I agree with you, the help, is quite helpful if you've got enough
experience to make sense out of it. If you don't, it's mind boggling. Try
some online tutorials to warm up.

--KB

>I downloaded the trial version of Flash CS3 yesterday, so I am very new to
> Flash but I have a lot of experience with Illustrator, so I understand
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> Cheers.

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Webmaster Forum / Flash / General Flash Topics / July 2008

Working with layers?