Flash® Professional CS5 Bible

Chapter 7. Applying Color

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Introducing color basics

• Working with Flash color

• Organizing the Swatches panel

• Creating and importing custom color sets

• Using the Color panel to modify colors

• Adding transparency to strokes and fills

• Making and applying gradient fills

• Selecting bitmap fills

Before I get into the specifics of applying color with Flash, I want to discuss some of the fundamental theory behind working with color that's destined to appear on the Web. Limited color displays are not as common as they were in the early days of Web graphics, but it is useful to have a basic understanding of the various contexts and limitations of digital color. This chapter introduces some resources that may be helpful to you for Flash work and as references for color issues that may come up in other productions. Whether you're designing corporate graphics or creating a photo album to share online, consistent and accurate color is a key factor in the quality of your projects. I explore the options available in Flash for choosing and modifying your color palette by using the Color panel and discuss how colors can be accessed from the Tools panel. I also show you how to work with the Properties panel menus, Swatches panel, and Color panel to select, change, mix, and apply solid colors, gradients, and even bitmap fills.

Note

I cover filters and blend modes in Chapter 11, "Applying Filters, Blends, Guides, and Masks." You can use these features to modify the color and appearance of symbols, but ...