User Guide

Using symbols 159
Creating a symbol
You can create graphic, animation, and button symbols using the Edit > Insert submenu. You
can create a symbol from any object, text block, or group, and then organize them in the Library
panel. To place instances in a document, you simply drag them from the Library panel onto
the canvas.
To create a new symbol from a selected object:
1 Select the object and choose Modify > Symbol > Convert to Symbol.
2 Type a name for the symbol in the Name text box of the Symbol Properties dialog box.
3 Choose a symbol type: Graphic, Animation, or Button. Then click OK.
The symbol appears in the library, the selected object becomes an instance of the symbol, and
the Property inspector displays symbol options.
To create a symbol from scratch:
1 Do one of the following:
■ Choose Edit > Insert > New Symbol.
■ Choose New Symbol from the Library panel Options menu.
2 Choose a symbol type: Graphic, Animation, or Button. Then click OK.
Depending on which symbol type you choose, the Symbol Editor or Button Editor opens.
3 Create the symbol using the tools in the Tools panel, then close the editor.
For more information, see “Creating button symbols” on page 191 and “Creating animation
symbols” on page 212.
Placing instances
You can place instances of a symbol in the current document.
To place an instance:
• Drag a symbol from the Library panel to the current document.
An instance of a symbol on the canvas