Flash : A drop-down menu in a couple of ticks
[ Contents ]
Daniel Garrance

Creating the Movie Clip Symbol.

  1. Now select Insert > New Symbol.

  2. Name the symbol "DropdownMenu" and assign to it the Movie Clip behaviour.

    3. Validate it to enter the symbol editing mode.

  3. Open the library (Window > Library) and select the button you have just created.

  4. Drag a button instance from the library onto the stage.

  5. Add text to the main menu button, using the Text Tool.



    6. Figure 2: The main button is used in the movie clip

  6. Right-click (on a Mac, Ctrl+click) in the timeline under frame 2 and select Insert Keyframe.

  7. Drag the button three times from the library onto the stage.



  8. Add the desired text to each of the buttons using the Text Tool, then group the texts with their respective buttons, selecting Modify > Group.

  9. Lay out the three buttons as you wish in relation to the main button, placing them below or beside it (see Figure 3).

  10. Select Modify > Align to align them.

  11. Once the buttons are in place, select them and select Modify > Ungroup.

    12. The buttons are self-contained and can be selected individually.



    Figure 3: The movie clip components are now in place

Hands off the main character! Make sure you don't move the main button but only the three item buttons. To obtain a precise alignment, use the Object Inspector (Window > Inspectors > Object) if necessary.



Creating the Button Symbol
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Opening the Menu