hi, I have a scene that contains

[z35]

hi,

I have a scene that contains several buttons and movie clips. I want to duplicate this scene many times and simply make minor changes each new scene. The changes involve the movie clips and buttons.

But..when I make changes to the movie clips and buttons, in EACH copied scene, the original buttons and movie clips get changed also.

I thought that editing a COPY of these will preserve the originals. Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong???

 

[oldnewbie]

As for Carl, who's had that problem, and to my knowledge still does, when you copy a symbol the way you're doing it, you're actually not creating a duplicate but creating a new instance of the same symbol. Edit anyone of these instances and you'll edit all of them.
What you have to do is to duplicate the symbol in the Library... Duplicate button1 and name it button2. Edit button2 to your desire. In your duplicated scene, drag button2 and position it exactly over button1. Then move it by 20 pixels to the right for example (shift->right arrow key - twice), select and delete button1, and move back button2 by 20 pixels to the left.

That's the only way to do it, and you'll have to do it for every symbol you want to copy and edit. Otherwise your only usings different instances of the same symbol, and editing one of those, edits all of them.

Regards,

ldnewbie

 

[coldfused]

right you can duplicate that movie clip all you want..even in the library, rename it all you want..but as soon as you try to edit a symbol inside that clip you are still editing the same symbol thats in all the other clips..

carlsatterwhite@orlandomediasolutions.com

 

[z35]

Thanks for the information...thats terrible news...I'm surprised Flash has no way around this.

I am duplicating the same symbol by copying the scene...true...but what if I rename it in the new scene (not the library). rename it in the scene itself. i just do mofify instance and give it a new name....

 

[z35]

i tried it and it doesn't work....are there any other short?

 

[z35]

are there any other short cuts?

 

[TulsaJeff]

Using symbols is a GOOD thing. that way you can use the same button, mc, or graphic in many places and if you decide to change it then you only have to edit it once. Symbols also allow the file size to be very minimal compared to what it would be otherwise.

So yes it is a tool that thankfully the guys at Macromedia thought of and implemented. If you do not want to have different buttons or mc's or whatever then you are gonna have to make them separate symbols by duplicating or whatever method you prefer.

I recommend using the same symbols as much as possible and keep down the hefty file sizes that everyone thinks is so acceptable just because they have a cool Flash website that jumps and flashes and shoots fireworks.

You do have to keep all your ducks in a row and make sure you know what is inside of those clips as Virt has so graciously pointed out....

my 2 cents worth.... Ya' Gotta Love It!

 

[coldfused]

like a swan jeff, gracious like a swan............

good to see you come back around here now and then!!

carlsatterwhite@orlandomediasolutions.com

 

[oldnewbie]

As I explained Carl, once you duplicated the symbol in the library, you have to replace the old symbol with the new one. If you then edit the new symbol and not the old one, there's no way this is going to have an effect on any instances of the old symbol! It will only affect all instances of the new symbol!

Regards,

ldnewbie