Macromedia Flash - Create flash menu yourself

In this article, you can discover how to create a simple menu with just a few special flash tips and tricks. Also, use some simple script commands to be able to:

- Design a menu
- Create effects for menus

Step 1

Create a new flash file. Go to Modify > Document ( Ctrl + J ), set the flash file size to 151 width and 114 height, Frame rate to 30fps. Select the background color of the flash as black or any color you want then click OK .

Macromedia Flash - Create flash menu yourself Picture 1

Step 2

Using the Text Tool (A), go to the Properties Panel (Ctrl + F3) at the bottom of the screen. Then set the following parameters:

- Select the first cell as Static Text
- Select the font for the menu
- Select the font size
- Select the font color, in this example I choose white
- Under the font size select Use Anti-alias for readability .

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Then enter the name and serial number of each button in the menu as shown below

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Step 3

Select the Selection Tool (V) and select the number with the first button's text (in the example ' HOME PAGE '), press F8 key (Convert to Symbol) to convert this text into a Movie Clip.

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Step 4

While the new made Movie Clip is still selected, go to the Properties Panel below. In the left section, find the Instance name section and enter a name here. In this example I enter HomePage_mc

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Step 5

Still select the Selection Tool (V) and double click on the movie clip. You will get to the inside of the Movie Clip

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Step 6

Then select the text menu, press F8 again (Convert to Symbol) to convert it again into a Movie Clip again

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Step 7

Select frame 15 and press F6 key on the keyboard. In this frame, move the position of the text menu to the right a bit (you can use arrow keys or mouse).

Step 8

Pick the Selection Tool (V) and click on select text. In the right part of the Properties Panel, you'll see the Color menu. Select Tint and set Tint to black, then choose 100% (as shown below).

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Step 9

Right-click anywhere in the gray area between the two keyframes on the timeline and choose Create Motion Tween from the menu that appears.

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Step 10

Create a new layer and name it effect and drag it below layer 1.

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Step 11

Use the Rectangle Tool (R). In the Color section of the currently selected tool, lock the Stroke color by clicking on the pencil icon and selecting a small square with a red line crossed. Select the background color # FF691B and draw a rectangle of size 140x14px, then place it as shown below.

Macromedia Flash - Create flash menu yourself Picture 11

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Step 12

Select the rectangle, press F8 key (Convert to Symbol) to convert the rectangle into a Movie Clip.

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Step 13

Click on frame 15 and press F6 key. Go back on frame 1, select the Free Transform Tool (Q). Press and hold the Shift key and drag the rectangle size downwards as shown below

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Step 14

Still select the first frame, select the Selection Tool (V) and click on the rectangle. Then go to the Properties Panel below the stage. In the right part you will see the Color menu, select Alpha and scroll down to 0%.

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Step 15

Right-click anywhere in the gray area between the two keyframes and select Create Motion Tween from the menu that appears.

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Step 16

Return to the main scene (Scene 1)

Step 17

Double click on layer 1 and rename the layer to a menu . Then create a new layer above and name it invisible button .

Macromedia Flash - Create flash menu yourself Picture 17

Step 18

Select the invisible button layer and create a virtual button above the rectangle and menu item text (see image below).

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Step 19

Pick the Selection Tool (V), click on the virtual button you just created, go to the Action Script Panel (F9) and enter the following script:

on (rollOver) {
_root.mouse_over_home_mc = true;
}
on (rollOut) {
_root.mouse_over_home_mc = fstartlse;
}
on (release) {
getURL ("http://www.flashvault.net/");
}

Step 20

Create a new layer above the invisible button layer and name it action .

Step 21

Click on the first frame of layer action, go to the Action Script Panel and enter the following script:

_root.HomePage.onEnterFrame = function () {
if (mouse_over_HomePage) {
_root.HomePage.nextFrame ();
} else {
_root.HomePage.prevFrame ();
}
};

So you have completed the first button of the menu. Repeat the above steps for the other buttons, just different in that you have to name and change the URL accordingly.