Sharing library assets



About shared library assets

Shared library assets let you use assets from a source document in multiple destination documents:

  • For runtime shared assets, assets from a source document are linked as external files in a destination document. Runtime assets are loaded into the destination document during document playback—that is, at runtime. The source document containing the shared asset does not need to be available on your local network when you author the destination document. The source document must be posted to a URL for the shared asset to be available to the destination document at runtime.

  • For shared assets during authoring, update or replace any symbol in a document you are authoring with any other symbol available on your local network. Update the symbol in the destination document as you author the document. The symbol in the destination document retains its original name and properties, but its contents are updated or replaced with those of the symbol you select.

    Using shared library assets can optimize workflow and document asset management.

Working with runtime shared assets

Using runtime shared library assets involves two procedures. First, the author of the source document defines a shared asset in the source document and enters an identifier string for the asset and a URL (HTTP or HTTPS only) where the source document will be posted.

Second, the author of the destination document defines a shared asset in the destination document and enters an identifier string and URL identical to those used for the shared asset in the source document. Alternatively, the destination document author can drag the shared assets from the posted source document into the destination document library. The ActionScript version set in the Publish settings must match that of the source document.

In either scenario, the source document must be posted to the specified URL for the shared assets to be available for the destination document.

Define runtime shared assets in a source document

To define sharing properties for an asset in a source document and make the asset accessible for linking to destination documents, use the Symbol Properties dialog box or the Linkage Properties dialog box.

  1. With the source document open, select Window > Library:
  2. Do one of the following:
    • Select a movie clip, button, or graphic symbol in the Library panel, and select Properties from the Library Panel menu. Click Advanced.

    • Select a font symbol, sound, or bitmap, and select Linkage from the Library Panel menu.

  3. For Linkage, select Export For Runtime Sharing to make the asset available for linking to the destination document.
  4. Enter an identifier for the symbol. Do not include spaces. This is the name Flash uses to identify the asset when linking to the destination document.
    Note: Flash also uses the linkage identifier to identify a movie clip or button that is used as an object in ActionScript. See Working with movie clips in Learning ActionScript 2.0 in Adobe Flash or Working with movie clips in Programming ActionScript 3.0.
  5. Enter the URL where the SWF file containing the shared asset will be posted, and click OK.

    When you publish the SWF file, you must post the SWF file to the URL you specified so that the shared assets are available to destination documents.

Link to runtime shared assets from a destination document

You can link to a shared asset by entering its URL or by dragging the asset into the destination document.

Link a shared asset to a destination document by entering the identifier and URL

  1. In the destination document, select Window > Library.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • Select a movie clip, button, graphic symbol, bitmap, or sound in the Library panel, and select Properties from the Library Panel menu. Click Advanced.

    • Select a font symbol, and select Linkage from the Library Panel menu.

  3. For Linkage, select Import For Runtime Sharing to link to the asset in the source document.
  4. Enter an identifier for the symbol, bitmap, or sound that is identical to the identifier used for the symbol in the source document. Do not include spaces.
  5. Enter the URL where the SWF source file containing the shared asset is posted, and click OK.

Link a shared asset to a destination document by dragging

  1. In the destination document, do one of the following:
    • Select File > Open.

    • Select File > Import > Open External Library.

  2. Select the source document and click Open.
  3. Drag the shared asset from the source document Library panel into the Library panel or onto the Stage in the destination document.

Turn off sharing for a symbol in a destination document

  1. In the destination document, select the linked symbol in the Library panel and do one of the following:
    • If the asset is a movie clip, button, or graphic symbol, select Properties from the Library Panel menu.

    • If the asset is a font symbol, select Linkage from the Library Panel menu.

  2. Deselect Import For Runtime Sharing, and click OK.

Update or replace symbols

You can update or replace a movie clip, button, or graphic symbol in a document with any other symbol in a FLA file accessible on your local network. The original name and properties of the symbol in the destination document are preserved, but the contents of the symbol are replaced with the contents of the symbol you select. Any assets that the selected symbol uses are also copied into the destination document.

  1. With the document open, select a movie clip, button, or graphic symbol and select Properties from the Library Panel menu.
  2. If the Linkage and Source areas of the Symbol Properties dialog box are not showing, click Advanced.
  3. To select a new FLA file, click Browse.
  4. Navigate to a FLA file that contains the symbol to use to update or replace the selected symbol in the Library panel, and click Open.
  5. Navigate to a symbol, and click OK.
  6. In the Symbol Properties dialog box, under Source, select Always Update Before Publishing and click OK.