Lesson #09 The Document Library - Part #1
Written By Daniel Mitchell

Using the Library

The two main ways the library is used if for editing and accessing its contents. Items to edit are referred to as 'Symbols'. You can also drag an 'Instance' of the symbol into your movie. The library also stores imported files such as video clips, sound clips and bitmaps.

Symbol:
Anything you create and place in your library. This is usually something visual like a graphic shape.

Instance:
An Instance is one copy of a symbol used in the movie. Every time you drag a symbol from the library you are creating an instance. Some say it is a copy but it is not really because there is only one master and each instance can be edited into something totally different from the original symbol.

The Library panel displays a scroll list with the names of all items in the library; this is very useful for viewing and organizing these elements as you work. An icon next to an item's name in the Library panel indicates the item's file type.

There are numerous functions you can use the library for. You can open the library of any Flash document while you are working, create permanent libraries that will be available whenever you launch Flash and it also includes a few sample libraries containing buttons, graphics, movie clips and sounds which you can use in your project.

To display the Library panel:

Choose Window > Library or type Ctrl+L.

To open the library from another Flash file:

1. Choose File > Open as Library.
2. Select the Flash file library you want to open.

Working with Library Items

When you select an item in the Library panel, a thumbnail preview of the item appears at the top of the Library panel. If the selected item is animated or is a sound file, you can use the Play button in the Library preview window or the Controller to preview the item.

III. Working With Folders in The Library Panel

To organize your items in the library you can create folders similar to those in Windows Explorer. When you create a new symbol if no folder has been selected it will be saved at the root of the library, however if you have created a folder it is stored in the selected folder.

The Library panel columns list the name of an item, its type, the number of times it's used in the file, its linkage status and identifier and the date it was last modified. You can sort items in the Library panel by any column.

Library Organization

The Library can be as organized or messy as you want, but I am telling you now you will want it organized and there are numerous ways to do it. Below are a few steps on just how to set up the Library so that it is ready for use and organized.

1. Create a new Flash movie. Open Flash MX
2. Open the Library by pressing Ctrl+L.
3. Select the Options menu from the top-right corner of the Library panel.
4. Most options will be grayed out except for Keep Use Counts Update.

Working With Common Libraries

You can use the sample libraries included with Flash to add symbols, buttons, or sounds to your project. You can also create your own sample libraries, which you can then use with any documents that you create.

To create a sample library:

1. Create a Flash file with a library containing the symbols that you want to include in the permanent library.

2. Place the Flash file in the Libraries folder located in the application folder on your hard drive. To use an item from a common library in a document:

- Choose Window > Common Libraries, and select a library from the submenu.
- Drag an item from the common library into the library for the current document.