ActionScript for Flash MX: The Definitive Guide, Second Edition

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Copyright © 2007 O’Reilly & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Chapter 13: Movie Clips

convert a group of shapes and objects that already exist on stage into a movie clip

symbol. To do so, we follow these steps:

1. Select the desired shapes and objects.

2. Select Insert

➝ Convert to Symbol.

3. In the Name field, type an identifier for the symbol.

4. For Behavior, select the Movie Clip radio button.

5. Click OK.

The shapes and objects we select to create the new movie clip symbol are replaced by

an unnamed instance of that new clip. The corresponding movie clip symbol appears

in the Library, ready to be used to create further instances.

Creating Instances

There are four ways to create a new movie clip instance. Three of these are program-

matic; the other is strictly manual and is undertaken in the Flash authoring tool. All

but one method, createEmptyMovieClip(), require an existing movie clip symbol

from which to derive the new instance.

Manually creating instances

We can create movie clip instances manually using the Library in the Flash author-

ing environment. By physically dragging a movie clip symbol out of the Library and

onto the Stage, we generate a new instance. An instance created in this way should

be named manually via the Instance panel (Flash 5) or Property inspector (Flash

MX). You’ll learn more about instance names later in this