Lesson #10 The Document Library - Part #2
Written By Daniel Mitchell

In Flash, the most important tool you can master is the Library because its role is to manage files used within your Flash movie. Each new version of Flash brings with it new features and tools you can use with the Library. Flash 4 supported only graphics, Movie Clips, and buttons. With Flash MX, however, you now have a whole host of file types you need to keep track of. These types include video, audio, fonts, components, and bitmaps.

Make sure to read up on Lesson #09 before reading this lesson.
Here is a cozy list of ways to customize and effectively use your Library.

Moving Stuff Around

You can use any item from the library in the current document by clicking and dragging the item of your choice on to the Stage. Keep in mind that item that you selected will be automatically added to the current layer you were working on.

Moving items between folders is also very easy to do. All you have to do is drag the item from one folder to another. If an item with the same name exists in the new location, Flash prompts you to replace the item you are moving.

If you are looking to use a specific library item from the current document in another document, simply drag the item from the library or Stage into the library or Stage of the other document.

To replace a symbol on the Stage with another symbol:

1. Choose the symbol you want to replace.
2. Modify > Swap Symbol.
3. Select a new symbol from the Swap Symbol dialog box, click OK.

Library Panel Options

Create a new folder in your library by simply cicking the New Folder button at the bottom of the Library panel.

All you have to do to open or close a folder is select the folder and choose Expand or Collapse all folders from the Library options menu.

By choosing the Epand or Collapse All folders option, you can open or close all the folders at the same time.

How to resize the Library panel:

• Drag the lower right corner.
• Click the Wide State button to enlarge Library panel.
• Click the Narrow State button to reduce the width.

Editing Items in The Library

To edit a library item:

1. Select the item in the Library panel.
2. Select either:
-Edit to edit an item in Flash.
-Edit With and select an application to edit the item in an external editor.

How to rename a library item:

• Double-click the item's name and enter the new name in the text field.
• Choose the item and click the properties icon at the bottom of the Library panel. Enter the new name in the Symbol Properties dialog box, OK.
• Select the item and choose Rename from the Library options menu, and then enter the new name in the text field.
• Right-click the item and choose Rename from the context menu, and then enter the new name in the text field.

How to delete a library item:

1. Select the item and click the trash can icon at the bottom of the Library panel.

2. In the warning box that appears, select Delete Symbol Instances to delete the library item and all instances of it. Deselect the option to delete only the symbol, leaving the instances on the Stage.

3. Click Delete.

• Select Unused Items from the Library options menu.
• Sort library items by the Use Count column.

• Click the column header to sort by that column.
• Click the triangle button to the right of the column headers.