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T
TheMskel
Participant
August 3, 2009
Answered

Flash Paint Bucket Help.

  • August 3, 2009
  • 6 replies
  • 53718 views

I downloaded an image from the web and brought it into Flash. I then created a new layer and began tracing over the image with the pen tool. When all was said and done, I went to use the paint bucket tool to fill in the sections of the paths I created. My only problem is I can't fill the image. I click and click and no color is being filled. I tried converting the selection to both movie clip and graphic symbols and I still can't fill it in. Anyone have any suggestions? All answers are greatly appreciated! Thanks.

I'm working with Adobe Flash CS3.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Asymetrical

It's definitely the gap thing. I've had this happen many times  and even the gap closing tool doesn't work. What I have found DOES work is to grab the edges of each line with the Selection tool and drag them closer to the edges they're near. Do that with all lines and it will fill. You could alternately use the Brush tool, set it to Draw behind at the bottom of the Toolbar when the Brush tool is selected and then fill in edges where the lines intersect and then try to fill. That works quite often as well.

6 replies

F
fridgeman the great
Participant
September 8, 2020

im using cs5....for me on that version it was'nt a gap issue.......select area with lasso or selection tool-modify menu, select break apart, and then click selection tool and click on work area so it deselects,......and then after all that the fill bucket will work?????? it took me forever to figure that out, you would hope adobe fixed that glitche in later versions of flash/animate!!!

Asymetrical
AsymetricalCorrect answer
Inspiring
March 20, 2017

It's definitely the gap thing. I've had this happen many times  and even the gap closing tool doesn't work. What I have found DOES work is to grab the edges of each line with the Selection tool and drag them closer to the edges they're near. Do that with all lines and it will fill. You could alternately use the Brush tool, set it to Draw behind at the bottom of the Toolbar when the Brush tool is selected and then fill in edges where the lines intersect and then try to fill. That works quite often as well.

    travisbrainerd
    travisbrainerd
    Participating Frequently
    March 21, 2017

    You will need to connect all the points so that the lines create a closed shape. Even if they are very near to each other, they might not be connected and the fill won't work.

    Also, make sure none of the segments are Drawing Objects or Groups. It should all be a flat shape on one layer to form a closed area.

    M
    mehulpruthi
    Participant
    November 14, 2019

    Hi Sir,

    Adobe Flash Professional CS6 Colour Bucket Fill Help:

    I am trying to fill different colours in the image to make it look like Earth, but whenever I select a colour it spreads in the entire canvas. Please help me resolve this

    dalcde
    dalcde
    Inspiring
    August 3, 2009

    Choose to close big gaps, and it would probably work.

    Ned Murphy
    Ned Murphy
    Legend
    August 3, 2009

    I believe the problem is that you are drawing lines and not fills, and you can't color a fill that isn't there.  One thing you can try is to draw a rectangle shape large enough to place your drawing in and then copy and paste the drawing on top of that.  As long as the drawing involves closed areas you can then color in the various sections and select/erase the parts that you don't need.

    W
    Walter Elias
    Known Participant
    August 3, 2009

    Ned, who said you can't color a fill that isn't there? Of course you can! Draw a closed area with lines, which has no fill at all, then click inside it with the paint bucket and create a fill in the empty area.

    Ned Murphy
    Ned Murphy
    Legend
    August 3, 2009

    I said it.  My bad.

    kglad
    Community Expert
    kgladCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 3, 2009

    import your image to the stage.  with the bitmap selected click modify, bitmap, trace bitmap.  pick settings the suit your needs.

    you won't need to use the paint bucket unless you want to change the original image's colors and, in that situation, select the section you want to color and select the paint bucket and then the color.  your section should be colored.

    W
    Walter Elias
    Known Participant
    August 3, 2009

    First, don't convert to movie clips or graphics. The paint bucket only works on raw shapes for what you're trying to do.

    Most likely there are tiny gaps in the outlines you're drawing. The paint bucket will only fill a completely closed area...or...

    It will compensate for tiny gaps if you set it to do so. On the main toolbar (usually on the left of your workspace), after you've selected the paint bucket tool, look for the icon under "Options", which looks like a circle with a tiny gap at the top. Click this and try different settings to get Flash to fill any gaps in your outlines.

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