1. PAL #6: Button Symbols & Code Snippets

2.  Buttons are designed specifically to react to
the user’s mouse and keyboard actions.
 Like other symbol instances, each button
instance can have its own set of
characteristics.
 To edit a button symbol, you need to double
click on the instance on the stage.

3.  The Up state is the button’s default appearance when it’s just sitting on the
Stage without any user interaction.
 The Over state displays when the mouse pointer moves over a button. This
indicates to the user that the button is a control that can carry out some
action in your movie.
 When the user presses down on the mouse button, the button symbol
changes to its Down state. It remains in its Down state until the user
releases the button; because the Down state is briefly visible during a
typical mouse click, customising a it with a lengthy animation or sound is
not the best idea.
 The Hit area defines the hot spot where the button becomes active when
the user moves over it.

4. When designing buttons, keep your users in mind and follow these
guidelines:
 Aim for an interesting design that makes the navigation process
easy for users to understand. An interesting-looking button may
entice users to click on it.
 Make a button’s purpose clear. Although you already know what
all your buttons do, and where they’ll lead, users aren’t as familiar
as you are with what’s going on. Design buttons with familiar
shapes (for example, a Play button that looks like a forward
arrow), or label buttons with text if necessary.
 Make buttons easy to find. If the buttons are hard to pick out on
the interface, or if their functions are unclear, your interactive
project becomes a frustrating experience for the user.

5.  Use the button images on Moodle to create a
simple three-state button with ‘Up’, ‘Down’
and ‘Over’ keyframes.
 Upload your completed SWF to Moodle
UP OVER DOWN