Adobe Flash

Using Layers in Flash

In Flash Basic 8 and Flash Professional 8, layers are analogous to transparent sheets of acetate stacked on top of each other. In the areas of a layer that don't contain content, you can see through to content in the layers below

Layers assist you in organizing content in your document. For example, you can keep background art on one layer and navigational buttons on another. Additionally, you can create and edit objects on one layer without affecting objects on another layer.

First, you'll open the start file for the lesson and set up your workspace to use an optimal layout for taking lessons.

  1. To open your start file, in Flash select File > Open and navigate to the file:
    • In Windows, browse to boot drive\Program Files\Macromedia\Flash 8\Samples and Tutorials\Tutorial Assets\Basic Tasks\ Work with Layers and double-click layers_start.fla.
    • On the Macintosh, browse to Macintosh HD/Applications/Macromedia Flash 8/Samples and Tutorials/Tutorial Assets/Basic Tasks/Work with Layers and double-click layers_start.fla.

    Note: The Work with Layers folder contains completed versions of the tutorial FLA files for your reference.

  2. Select File > Save As and save the document with a new name, in the same folder, to preserve the original start file.
  3. Select Window > Workspace Layout > Default to set up your workspace for taking lessons.
  4. In the Stage View pop-up menu, in the upper-right side of the Timeline, select Show Frame to view both the Stage and the workspace.
  5. If necessary, drag the lower edge of the Timeline (Window > Timeline) down to enlarge the Timeline view. You can also use the scroll bar to scroll through the layers.