Adobe Flash

Layout Tools in Flash

Flash Basic 8 and Flash Professional 8 offer a variety of ways to place objects on the Stage. This tutorial teaches you how to use the layout tools in Flash to create a user interface.

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\ Use Layout Tools and double-click layout_tools_start.fla.
    • On the Macintosh, browse to Macintosh HD/Applications/Macromedia Flash 8/Samples and Tutorials/Tutorial Assets/Basic Tasks/Use Layout Tools and double-click layout_tools_start.fla.

    Note: The Use Layout Tools 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. Click in the workspace, away from objects on the Stage, so that no objects are selected.