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madelyn_8496
Participant
July 12, 2025
Question

Won't allow me to tween. Animate says it's not a symbol even though I think it is.

  • July 12, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 188 views

Basically Animate won't tween this symbol and says it isn't a symbol when I'm like 90% sure it is? I can click on it to enter the symbol and this is the only layer where I get the error. I noticed the blue selection box is not aligned with the transform selection box when I select the symbol, which is unlike all other layers. So, is this telling me there's multiple objects on this layer? Is there a way to resolve this?

 

I am new to Adobe Animate.

    3 replies

    Firewood：D
    Firewood：D
    Inspiring
    July 14, 2025

    There is nothing wrong. There are other small elements on the same layer as the symbol you mentioned. Select the symbol, right-click and select "Distribute to Layers". Use the shortcut key ctrl+shift+d, and you will see other elements.

    kglad
    Community Expert
    kgladCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 12, 2025

    create a new layer and add a keyframe where you want your tween to start.  then drag your symbol from the library to the stage and tween it.

    Vladin M. Mitov
    Vladin M. Mitov
    Inspiring
    July 12, 2025

    Hi,

    1.  A more reliable way to check if something is a symbol is to select it on the stage and look at the Properties panel — if it’s a symbol, it will say “Instance of <SYMBOL NAME>”.

     

    2. The dialog you’re seeing suggests that the layer contains more than one element. In order to create a tween, each element must be placed on its own separate layer.

     

     

     

    - Vlad: UX and graphic design, Flash user since 1998Member of Flanimate Power Tools team - extensions for character animation
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