macromedia flash sitedesign: Is there a way to import a .gif file (a button designed in a graphic program)
and then manipulate it as a button in flash? I have gone through tutorials
where you design a button from scratch and have used the button timeline for
those projects, but when I import the graphic, and modify it to a button
symbol, I don't get the button timeline and can't define up, down or hit. Any
help would be appreciated.:confused;

You'll need to right click on the object in the library, select Type, choose
Button.
Then click on the object on the stage and in the Properties Panel, select
Button in the drop down on the left hand side. That should give you the
button Timeline.

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Tried the above with no luck. The object type was already set to button, and
the properties panel was also set to button. There is also the same image as a
bitmap in the library, and if I click on edit symbols it changes the stage item
from the previously selected button to the bitmap version of the image, which
then brings up the button timeline. I know if you create a button from scratch
in flash the button timeline is engaged, but the same does not seem to work for
an imported button gif. Any other suggestions?

How is it an imported button .gif?

When you import it you import a .gif. The .gif only becomes a button when
you put it on the stage, right click on it, choose convert to symbol and
then choose button & name it whatever you like. The only way you can import
a button into Flash is when it's extracted from the library of another movie


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Oops - one word too many - it is a plain old imported gif, but the rest of my
message remains the same - this imported gif apparently cannot be manipulated
through the button timeline the way a newly created button can be, despite
having converted the gif to a button as described above. So my question remains
can this be done or am I wasting time on something that can't be accomplished?

dunno. Maybe someone else here knows better

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Ok. Lets put this streight. If I understand you right, you are saying that you
want to turn a GIF image that you imported into a button.
1) Go to the library and drag your GIF onto the stage.
2) Right click it and select Convert to Sybol.
3) Chose the radio button thats says Button.
4)Type a name for your button.
5) Click OK. Your button is finished. Double click the new button to access
the button timeline.

I appreciate all the help so far, but I still have not reached an answer. Yes,
I can get to the button timeline by double-clicking on the item, but doing so
changes it from the button in the properties panel to the bitmap for the gif
file. From there I am stuck - I can't seem to manipulate the gif to do anything
in the over state. I am guessing that because this is not a flash-generated
object, I can't change the color of the imported image. But there must be
something I can do to differentiate the image when hovering over it. I suppose
one solution would be to create an identical object in a different color and
rotate those objects, but that seems rather inefficient to me. I'm still
hoping for a simple solution that I must be missing.

Hi,
For me i would just make the build the button in flash instead.
Im not aware of how to change a .gif in flash.
If its a simple colour change you want (on roll over, out, etc) then why not
just place an "invisible" button over the top of your button.
So, you would pop your .gif image on your main stage.
Then make a new button (insert - new symbol - button). Leave the "up" state
blank. In the "Over" state replicate the shape of your button (hopefully its a
rectangle or circle). Give the shape a colour and adjust the alpha in the
colours panel so that you can see your .gif through it.
Go back to the main timeline and drag the button from your library and pop it
on top of your .gif.
Test your movie. Then play around with it.
Hope this helps
Im sure theres other ways tho.
Cheers
Alan

OK, so far none of the suggestions has addressed my problem. the button is
designed in a graphics program, and is not a regular shape so I can't put a
flash "invisible button" over it. I am astonished that there seems to be no way
to do this in flash - I might as well be limited to whatever Dreamweaver allows
in this case because I see no benefit in spending hours trying to do what
seemed so simple in Flash. Is there not anyone out there who has imported a
graphic as a button and manipulated it in Flash?

Hi,
Sorry i couldnt help.
The only other thing i suggest would be to create a new movie clip (insert -
new symbol - movie clip) import the gif to the stage, convert it to a movie
clip, create a keyframe further along the timeline, Select the instance and
apply a tint, create a motion tween between the 2 frames, and target the movie
clip with action script.
This way you could, on rollover, create a fade from its original color to
another colour (defined in your tint).
Otherwise, im out.
Cheers
Alan

Hi,
So this is what you would do...

1. create a new movie clip (insert - new symbol - movie clip), call it myGif
2. import the gif to the stage (or drag it from your library). Align it to
centre, or where-ever you want.
3. Select your gif on the stage and press F8 to convert it to a symbol. Make
it a movie clip and call it gifsymbol
4. In your timeline select frame 15 and press F6 to create a new Keyframe. Do
the same on frame 30.
5. Select frame 15 and then select your symbol on the stage and from the
"Color" menu in the properties panel select "Tint".
6. Choose your colour of choice. Be sure to adjust the Alpha(which is shown as
a percentage just to the right of the colour box) so that you can see your gif
through the tint.
7. Right-click on frame 7 and select "create motion tween". Do the same on
frame 20.
8. Insert a new layer above the current one.
9. On frame one open up the actions panel (press F9) and type stop();
10. create a new Keyframe on frame 15 and do the same.
11. Return to the main timeline (press "scene 1" from above the timeline).
12. drag myGif from the library and place it on your stage.
13. Give it an instance name of gif_mc
14. Create a new layer above the current one and open up the actions panel.
15. Pop the following code in.

gif_mc.onRollOver = function() {
this.gotoAndPlay(2);
};
gif_mc.onRollOut = function() {
this.gotoAndPlay(16);
};

Now your done. Test your movie.
Hope this helps. Cheers
Alan