Introduction to Flash MX Tutorial > Create and mask vector art > Add a layer

 

Add a layer

Rather than create the shapes on the Background layer, you'll add a new layer on which you can draw the shapes.

1

To add a new layer, choose Insert > Layer, or click the Insert Layer button. Name the new layer Shapes.

2

In the toolbox, select the Oval tool.

3

In the Property inspector, select Hairline from the Stroke Style pop-up menu. Click the Stroke Color control. In the color palette, select the gray with a hexadecimal value of 999999.

Remember, you can either enter the hexadecimal value in the hexadecimal text box, or find and click the color swatch with the same hexadecimal value.

4

If the Color Mixer isn't open, choose Window > Color Mixer. In the Fill Style pop-up menu, select Solid. Click the Fill Color control to select it. In the R (red) field, type 109. In the G (green) and B (blue) text boxes, type 45, then press Enter or Return.

You are specifying the values for the amount of red, green, and blue within a color.

5

In the Timeline, verify that the Shapes layer is selected. On the Stage, constrain the oval to a circle by pressing Shift as you drag, to draw a circle that extends from the canvass area above the Stage to the canvass below the Stage.

Note: If you make a mistake, choose Edit > Undo and try again.

6

Select the Arrow tool in the toolbox, then double-click the circle on the Stage to select both the fill and the stroke.

7

If the Transform panel isn't open, choose Window > Transform.

8

To expand the Transform panel, click the white arrow in the upper left corner. Select Skew and type 20.0 in the Skew Horizontally text box, then press Enter or Return.

The circle that you drew changes into a skewed oval.