Assembling Your Demo
From Mwiki
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If the members of your team are working on different parts of your demo, you'll have assets saved in different Flash files, possibly on different computers. To bring all these pieces together, assign one team member as the editor. The editor's job is to assemble everything into one file.
Combine Your Files
Open All Files in Order
Start Flash and open all the files to be combined, in order from first to last. Also, create a new, empty Flash file to paste into, and save it.
Check for Duplicate Names
Look at all the files' libraries. There shouldn't be any duplicate names between the files, unless the exact same symbol is being used in both cases.
If you are combining three different FLA files, each with a different "Symbol 1", one of them will overwrite the others and you will lose some of your work.
To rename a symbol, double-click its name in the library and enter the new name.
TIP: Flash only likes tweening symbols. If you try to tween anything but a symbol, Flash will simply convert the drawings on both keyframes to symbols and name them Tween 1 and Tween 2. So, don't tween anything but symbols. Or, once you've created your tween, rename the symbols created by Flash with something more descriptive.
Copy Frames
In this step, the team's editor copies the timelines from each file and deposits them – in order – into a new file. You'll be using “copy frames” and “paste frames,” rather than “copy” and “paste.” Copy and paste frames will bring over everything you need, including library items and actionscript.
In the first file (the tab closest to the left), select all the frames that need to be copied. Go to Edit > Timeline > Copy Frames, or right-click and select “Copy Frames.”
Paste Frames
In the combined file (here it's called mygame_final.fla), put the cursor on the frame where you want the content to begin (the first frame). Go to Edit > Timeline > Paste Frames, or right click and select “Paste Frames.”
Copy and Paste Frames Into a Blank Frame
Now, move on to the second tab. Select all the frames from the second file and select "Copy Frames," just like before.
Go back to the combined file and find the first completely blank frame in the top row. Put your cursor on that frame and select "Paste Frames."
Repeat
Repeat this process until all the content is in the new file, in order. Notice that in addition to creating your game demo's full timeline, you've brought over all the library items from all the files – you don't need to copy them separately.
Save your combined game demo file.
TIP: Watch those image sizes! If you are using bitmap images in your file (not vector images), resize the image to the size you need BEFORE bringing it in to Flash. If you have already brought the images in, you can always re-import smaller versions (see [Wiki Tips] for instructions). One or two large images are fine, but five or six might make your FLA too large to upload to the wiki.
Check Your New File
Check the combined file and make sure everything has copied over correctly. Scrub through the timeline one frame at a time and look at your file to make sure everything looks right.
Export your .SWF (go to File > Publish or hit Shift+F12) and make sure that everything is working properly. You may need to work on the transitions between sections.
Now that your file is cleaned up a bit, send it out to the rest of the team -- and post it to the wiki and your blog.
TIP: Copy and paste frames will bring over most of your information, but it doesn't bring over folders in your timeline or library. If you had folders in your file before, you can recreate them now.
Update the Wiki
- Upload the assets (.SWF and .FLA) you created to your Team page if you are working on a Team game, or to your "My Projects" page if you are working alone.
Update the Blog
Suggested Post Idea
- Share your learning experience with this topic.
- Write about your game topic. If you had money, influence and power, what would you do to make an impact for the better?
Comment on one of your classmate's blogs!
Related Links and Tutorials
- Browse the MyGLife.org Flash Tutorials list for more tutorials, information and links!
Students Contributions
Here are examples of what other students did in this topic. Please add your work to this section.
