Flash - Working with Layers

How to create and delete Layers via the Timeline

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Timeline

Above the Stage is the timeline. This is used to create and manage both layers and frames.

In general, animations should contain multiple layers

It helps to keep different parts of a movie separate
Each layer can be animated independent of the others
The top layers are shown over (drawn on top of) the lower layers

There is no explicit rule on how many layers to use - just fake it if it seems logical.

Rename	Double click on the name
Change the order	Click and drag - top layers are rendered last, on top of lower layers
Show/Hide	Toggle the dot below the Eyeball icon - Hiding all layers except one is an easy way to control which layer you are working on
Lock	Toggle the dot below the Lock icon - a locked layer can not be accidentally modified
Show Properties	Double click the folder in front of the name
Show only outlines	Click on the square box - The outline color can be changed via the properties dialog box.

There are 4 shortcut icons at the bottom of the Timeline panel to Insert Layer, Add Motion Guide, Insert Layer Folder, Delete Layer (in that order).

The layer with the Pen icon is currently active - all actions will modify that layer. If the layer is selected and locked, then the pen icon will have a red line through it.

Author: Robert Clemenzi - clemenzi@cpcug.org

Flash - Working with Layers

Timeline

URL: http:// cpcug.org / user / clemenzi / technical / Languages / Flash / Layers.html