Intro to Layers in Flash 8

Flash Intro to Layers

Create a New Layer

Select a layer (Your new layer will be placed ABOVE this layer)
Click the Insert Layer button

Flash New Layer


Flash Insert Layer Button

Create a New Layer Folder

Select a layer or folder (Your new layer folder will be placed ABOVE this layer)
Click the Insert Layer folder button

Flash New Layer Folder

Flash Layer Folder Button

Move a Layer

Click and drag a layer in and out of folder
You can also drag a layer above or below another layer

Flash Drag Layer


Flash Select Layer

Expand/Collapse Layer Folder

Click the triangle to the left of the folder to expand or collapse it

Expand/Collapse  Layer Folder             layer pic


 Flash Select Layer 

Delete a Layer or Folder


Select the layer or folder you wish to delete
Click the trashcan icon (Delete Layer button)

Flash Delete a  Layer or Folder

Flash trashcan icon

Rename a Layer or Folder

Double click the layer or folder name
Type the new name in the textbox
Press Enter

Flash Name Folder

Flash Textbox

Selecting layers

Select a layer by clicking on it once
Select Multiple layers
Use Shift+click or Ctrl+click
Flash Selecting  layers

Show/Hide layer

To hide or show all layer click the eye icon

Flash Show/Hide  layer


To show or hide an individual layer or folder click the dot below the eye
A dot will show the layer

Flash Select Multiple layers


A red X will hide the layer

Flash red X

Flash Selecting  layers

Lock/Unlock Layer

Click the lock icon to lock or unlock all the layers

Flash Lock Icon


Click the dot below the lock to lock or unlock individual layers

Flash Unlock one layer

Flash Hide Layer

Layer Outlines

Click the outline column to turn layer content into outlines

Flash Layer Outlines

Flash turn layer content into outlines

Copy a Layer

Select a layer
From the menu:
Edit |  Copy Frames
Add a new layer by clicking Insert layer button
Select the new layer
From the menu:
Edit | Paste frames
Flash Copy Layer

Copy from a layer folder

Select the folder
Edit | Copy

Flash turn layer content into outlines


Insert a new layer folder and select it
Edit | Paste in Place

Flsh Insert new Layer Folder


Flash Edit Paste

Layer Properties

Right-click on the layer
Select Properties

Flash Select Properties


Can change:
  • Layer Name
  • Show/Hide
  • Lock/Unlock
  • Type
  • Normal
  • Guide
  • Mask
  • Folder
  • Outline Color
  • View as outlines
  • Layer height

Flash Outline Colors

Flash View As Outlines

Create a Guide Layer

Select a layer
Right-click and select Guide
You can also change it back to a normal layer the same way

Flash Select    Flash Guide