Flash CS3: The Missing Manual

Adding Content to Multiple Layers

A layer is nothing more than a named sequence of frames. So you won't be surprised to learn that, after you create a couple of layers as described in Chapter 3, you need to fill up each layer's frames with content. This section shows you how.

When you're working with a single layer, adding content to frames is easy because you don't have to worry about which layer you're working with: You simply click a keyframe and use Flash's drawing and painting tools to create an image on the Stage.

But when you're working with multiple layers—for example, when you're creating a composite drawing by adding a background layer, a foreground layer, and a separate layer for your sound clips—you may find adding content a bit trickier because you have to be aware of the layer to which you're adding your content. Fortunately, as you see in the steps below, the Timeline's Show/Hide icon helps you keep track of which content you've placed on which layers.

Here's how to add content to multiple layers:

1. Open the file multiple_layers.fla.

   You can find this file (and all the other example files for this book) on the "Missing CD" page at www.missingmanuals.com/cds.com

2. Click the first keyframe in Layer 1.

   Flash highlights the selected frame, as well as the layer name. You also see a little pencil icon that lets you know this frame is now ready for editing.

3. Use Flash's drawing and painting tools to draw a fence on the Stage.

   Your fence doesn't have to be fancy; a quick "wooden" fence, ...