QuickTips Index

Flash Gradient Tool Tip: Removing Colors with Ctrl + Click
How many times have you been working on the gradient tool palette, clicked too near the color bar (or been dragging an existing color swatch on the bar) only to accidentally add a new color swatch through the click?

Flash Gradient Tool Tip: Changing Gradient Overflow
"Overflow" refers to the continuation of a gradient in Flash once it's reached the end of the blend from one color through all the colors in the gradient palette.

Gradient Tool Tip: Quick Shortcut for the Flash Gradient Tool
One of the smaller features of the Flash gradient tool is one that some people find a convenience, while others find it an annoyance.

Quick-Editing Symbols: Editing Flash Symbols in One Click
There are many ways to edit Flash symbols, but the easiest way is always best.

Using Layers: When To Use Layers (and Layer Groups) in Flash and When Not To
If you've been using Flash for any length of time, you're likely aware of the ability to use Layers and Layer Groups to organize and stack your content. Sometimes we overdo it on layers, though, so the question is: when do you use layers, and when do you stop?

Flash ActionScripting Tip: ActionScript Window Button
Yes, there's a button to open the ActionScripting panel. How many people are so used to the keyboard shortcut that they never noticed it?

Flash Workspace Tip: Changing the Flash Workspace Between Default & Icons
Just when you think there's no other way you could possibly customize your Flash workspace further, we find another one: the ability to switch your workspace panels between default, icon, and icon + text view.

Flash Animation Tip: Pin Current Library
You may know that you can use multiple libraries when working on Flash animation - but did you know that you can "pin" a library window so that it stays active across multiple documents?

Flash Tip: Hide Panels
Need a quick and easy way to get rid of all those toolbars, panels, and tabs on your Flash screen so you can maximize your working area?

Flash Tip: Save and Compact
You may have noticed that other than the standard "Save" and "Save As...", there's another option for saving your files in Flash: Save and Compact.

Flash Tip: Create from Template
Did you know that Flash comes with multiple preset templates that are already set up with the standard publishing formats for various media?

Flash Tip: Changing the Column Layout on the Flash Toolbar
If you remember Flash MX and previous versions, you'll remember that the primary left-hand toolbar had a two-column layout that was later replaced with a one-column layout in newer versions.

Flash Tip: Collapse to Icons / Expand Dock
One of the many ways to maximize space in Flash CS3 and higher is to collapse the right-hand dock of tool panels.

Animation Tip: In-Betweens After Keyframes
While this may seem like second nature to veteran animators, many animation beginners don't realize that animation generally isn't drawn in sequential order.

Flash Tip: Hide the Timeline
Let's face it: when you're working on artwork in Flash, sometimes you need as much available space as possible. That means getting rid of as many extras as possible - and sometimes the timeline is one of those extras.

Flash Tip: Fit to Window
A quick way to zoom out your working area so that you can see everything on your Flash stage is to use Fit to Window.

Flash Tip: Line / Stroke Caps
If you've ever paid close attention to the end-points of lines / strokes drawn in Flash, you'll noticed that they end in a slightly rounded tip, almost as if drawn by a pen.

Flash Tip: Swapping Line and Fill Colors
Use "swap colors" to switch up your line and fill colors.

Flash Tip: Sorting Swatches by Color
Sorting by color changes the way your color swatches are displayed in Flash's default palette.

Flash Tip: Turn off Snapping
Snapping in vector drawings has its uses, but when it's just making life harder for you, it's time to turn it off.

Flash Tip: Letter Spacing
You can adjust the spacing of your letters in Flash to move them closer together or farther apart.

Avoiding the System Resource Bog
We've all experienced slowdowns and lockups while working on our computers. This can be a real pain when you're animating, so let's look at ways to clear up your system resources.

Flash Tip: Shape Tweening Expanded: Controlling Hue
Create a fading gradient effect using shape tweens.

Flash Tip: Shape Tweening Expanded: Controlling Alpha
Use shape tweens to create a fading opacity effect.

Flash Tip: Flash vs. Flash Player - What's the Difference?
When referring to "Flash", sometimes it can be a little unclear what we're referring to--the Flash software, or the Flash player.