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BASICS: The Flash MX Properties Inspector

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New for Flash MX is a multi-purpose Properties panel sometimes called the Properties Inspector or PI for short.

All panels let you view and change properties of objects, and you can find dozens of them from the Windows menu, but you'll use this one almost all of the time. This multi-purpose Properties panel makes things much more easy and intuitive. Prior versions of Flash had many property panels to open and close, now you can access these features from this panel, thanks Flash MX!

The Flash MX Properties Inspector

Traditionally, when using any editing panel in these programs, you will select the object first then apply the edit you wish, perhaps a change of Font Face, Color, or Size. But you don't have to select some text if you wish to adjust these items for future text that will be written; just make the changes in the Property Inspector and the next text you create will show the effects of the recent edit.

Task: Use the Properties Panel to Inspect and Change Fill Colors Hands-on Practice with the Properties Inspector. Hands-on Exercise with the Properties Inspector
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Using The Properties Inspector To EditUsing The Properties Inspector To Edit

Using The Properties Inspector To Edit

In this task, you'll use the Properties panel to inspect and change the fill colors. Please click the Expand/Collapse arrow so that the Properties panel opens all the way.

  1. Create a new default size file.


  2. Take a look at the Properties panel and notice the type of information listed, it's about to be changed.


  3. Select the Brush tool by clicking once in the Tools panel. Notice that by selecting the Brush tool, the Properties panel has changed. Now Paint a squiggly line on the Stage.


  4. Before you draw again, select a different color from the Fill Color swatch in the Properties panel. Click the swatch and select a different color from the choices shown.


  5. Paint another squiggly line in this new color on a blank ares of the stage. Now select the Arrow Tool (by clicking the black arrow at the top left of the Tools panel—or, simply type a "v").


  6. Click once on the first squiggly line to select it. Notice that the Properties panel changes again. Additional information about the shapes' coordinates and size appear. While the shape is still selected, change the fill color by clicking on the Fill Color swatch in the Properties panel and picking a new color.
    The swatch with a red line through it—Stroke Color—is for shapes drawn with the Pencil tool.


  7. Finally, make both squiggly shapes the same color. Make sure that you still have one shape selected and then click and release on the Fill Color swatch. Then (while the cursor looks like and eye-dropper) click on the other squiggly shape to sample its color. This is just a quick example of how the cursor changes to tell you what will happen when you click.

For a bit more practice, do the following to see some more of the powerful text options added to Flash MX.

  1. In the same window with the squiggles, select the Text tool, click the Stage, and then type a few words. Click the Arrow tool when you're finished typing. From the Properties panel, you can select a different font, change the font size, change the color, and control the text in many common ways.
    The Format button on the Properties Inspector panel includes additional options related to margins.


    2. Hide Practice Session

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Page Updated on March 2, 2003