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project: Editing Symbols
 
   
 

description: In this tutorial you will learn how to edit symbols to create an animation like the one at right.

Files: The m_t_edit_symbol_start.fla is in the fla_files folder.
   
 
   
  step 1: Open m_t_edit_symbol_start.fla (Figure A)
   
  A
   
  step 2: Command-Return to Test Movie. (Figure B)
   
  B
   
  step 3: Window > Library (Command-L) to open the Library. (Figure C)
   
  C
   
  step 4: Click on the name to see the symbol. Double-Click on either to edit the symbol. (Figure D)
   
  D
   
  •Note: Yes, you could also Double-Click on any instance on the stage to edit the symbol like we did in the Where did all My Work Go?! tutorial. We're not going to change the color this time though as that would return our multicolor animation back to a single color. Editing a symbol changes EVERY instance.
   
  step 5: Our symbol (once selected) is ready to be edited. (Figure E)
   
  E
   
  step 6: Watch the following movie (Figure F) first. Click on the symbol to select it. Window > Transform (Command-T) to bring up the Transform Panel. Uncheck the Constrain check box so that we can alter the circle's width. Change the width to 120% and hit Return.
   
  F
   
  step 7: Close the Transform Panel and return to Scene 1 by clicking on its name. (Figure G)
   
  G
   
  step 8: Command-Return to Test Movie. (Figure H)
   
  H
   
  step 9: Notice that your symbol has changed in the Library (Command-L). (Figure I)
   
  I
   
  step 10: Double-Click to edit your symbol again. Command-T for the Transform Panel and change the width to 150% (Figure J)
   
  J
   
  step 11: Click back on Scene 1 to check your progress. (Figure K)
   
  K
   
  step 12: Command-Return to Test Movie. (Figure L)
   
  L
   
  step 13: Remember that editing a symbol changes EVERY instance! To chance individual instances one-at-a-time see Editing Instances. Now, before we get to Tweening Effects, let's whip out a quick animation to apply those effects to. Proceed to Motion Tweening 02.
   
   
   
   
 
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