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Flash: Tools

Flash has a variety of tools to help you craft images for use in your Flash movies. Since many of the tools are similar to those found in other Macromedia programs, we'll give them only a cursory overview here.

    Flash Tool Palette

  1. Select Object Arrow
    This tool allows you to select, move, and alter most objects and instances in your movie.

  2. Select Point Arrow
    Use this tool for more delicate operations, like changing the curve of lines or slightly adjusting a point's position.

  3. Draw Line
    This tool allows you to draw a straight line by clicking where the line is to begin and dragging the mouse to the other point.

  4. Select Area Lasso
    Use this tool to select an area or a misshapen object. Provides a more mobile selection space than the Select Object Arrow.

  5. Pen Tool
    Use the pen tool to draw a line from a series of points. Use its click-and-drag feature to add curves to the lines.

  6. Text tool
    Add text objects to your movie. These can later be treated just like any other objects.

  7. Shape tools
    Use these tools to make shapes in your movies. You can use the circular one to make ovals and circles, while the rectangular one can make polygonal shapes.

  8. Pencil tool
    The pencil tool allows you to draw thin, freeform lines.

  9. Brush tool
    Use the brush tool to draw shapely, thick lines and strokes.

  10. Ink Bottle tool
    The Ink Bottle tool makes it easy to apply changes to many strokes and lines at once. Simply select the Ink Bottle tool, select the settings you like, then click the objects you want to change.

  11. Fill tool
    Use the fill tool to fill in line objects with solids or patterns.

  12. Eyedropper tool
    The eyedropper tool is an easy way to transfer settings (like line size and fill settings) from one object to the next.

  13. Erase tool
    Use the erase tool to erase lines, fills, or surrounding markings.

  14. Hand tool
    The hand tool allows you to adjust the placement of the stage within the interface window.

  15. Magnify tool
    The magnify tool allows you to zoom in or out on the stage.

  16. Selected options
    Each tool selected has various options available to it. The options govern how the tool will behave. If an option is highlighted, it is selected.

  17. Contingent options
    Some tools have options that are only available in certain circumstances. When those options ARE available, the buttons for them will appear in full color; when they are not available, they will be faded, as shown here.

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