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Participant
Apr 23, 2013 8:08 PM UTC
Answered

How can I convert many .png's to graphic symbols at once in Flash CS6?

So, just as the subject says, how do I convert a ton (like over 2,000) .pngs quickly and easily to graphic symbols?

I really dont want to have to drag each one to the stage, hit f8,  and name it, for each one.

I understand that, back in the CS3 days (im using CS6), it would autonatically generate them when you imported them to the library, is there a setting that I can turn on to have this happen?

Thank you for your time,

Obsidn

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Amy Blankenship
Amy BlankenshipCorrect answer
Legend
Apr 25, 2013 3:19 PM UTC
  1. Select the directory with your pngs in it.
  2. Right-click>Browse with Adobe Bridge
  3. Select your pngs
  4. Tools>Photoshop>Load to photoshop layers (not sure how many layers this can handle--you may wind up having to do this in batches)
  5. Save your new psd
  6. In Flash, create a new symbol with a blank timeline
  7. Ctrl-R, navigate to the psd you made earlier
  8. Select all the Photoshop layers
  9. Check "create MovieClips for these layers."
  10. Convert layers to keyframes or flash layers (not important, since you probaby don't need to keep this symbol)
  11. OK

You'll have Movie Clips, not Graphic Symbols, but maybe you can write or find a JSFL to convert them and then you can block select them, click the Properties button, and change the type from MovieClip to Graphc.

12 replies

jpm12610556
Participant
Jul 25, 2017 4:13 PM UTC

How is there not just, you know, an option to select all the elements and convert them ALL to symbols at once? A 10 step solution for something this simple is ridiculous, and Adobe really needs to get on top of solving issues like these.

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gus999wan
Participant
Aug 29, 2024 4:28 AM UTC

absolutly agree. adobe developers need to be smarter.

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kglad
Community Expert
Community Expert
Aug 29, 2024 1:59 PM UTC

to make suggestisons to adobe, https://www.adobe.com/products/wishform.html

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Amy Blankenship
Amy BlankenshipCorrect answer
Legend
Apr 25, 2013 3:19 PM UTC
  1. Select the directory with your pngs in it.
  2. Right-click>Browse with Adobe Bridge
  3. Select your pngs
  4. Tools>Photoshop>Load to photoshop layers (not sure how many layers this can handle--you may wind up having to do this in batches)
  5. Save your new psd
  6. In Flash, create a new symbol with a blank timeline
  7. Ctrl-R, navigate to the psd you made earlier
  8. Select all the Photoshop layers
  9. Check "create MovieClips for these layers."
  10. Convert layers to keyframes or flash layers (not important, since you probaby don't need to keep this symbol)
  11. OK

You'll have Movie Clips, not Graphic Symbols, but maybe you can write or find a JSFL to convert them and then you can block select them, click the Properties button, and change the type from MovieClip to Graphc.

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obsidn85Author
Participant
Apr 25, 2013 9:17 PM UTC

Oh thank god, That worked perfectly. You're a saint.

I'm gonna add, for those that come after me, if, when you are in the import screen, and the layers are not automatically checked as 'convert to movie clips' just select all of them using shift-click.

I'll say on behalf of all nub sprite animators, thank you.

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Amy Blankenship
Legend
Apr 25, 2013 9:27 PM UTC

YW

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Chipleh
Inspiring
Apr 23, 2013 8:23 PM UTC

File>Import>Import to Library

All images will be converted to graphic symbols.

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obsidn85Author
Participant
Apr 23, 2013 8:45 PM UTC

Unfortunatly, it does not do that when I import them to the library.

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Inspiring
Apr 24, 2013 7:32 AM UTC

This will give you an idea how to use jsfl to import a lot of images into your library

During the import you will have to use sth like this to convert your images to symbols and name them dynamically:

fl.getDocumentDOM().convertToSymbol('movie clip', '', 'center');

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