frames in Flash to make it easier to reference frames in ActionScript, and to give you more flexibility. If you want to change the frame at which an action occurs, you can move the label, rather than having to locate every reference to the frame number in the script. 2 The Gradient Transform tool, grouped with the Free Transform tool, lets you rotate, resize, or change the center point for a gradient. 3 To test a button on the Stage, choose Control > Enable Simple Buttons. 4 To name an instance, select it on the Stage, and then type in the Instance Name box in the Property inspector. You need to name an instance if you plan to refer to it in ActionScript. 5 To quickly move objects to individual layers, select the objects on the Stage, and then choose Modify > Timeline > Distribute To Layers.   7. ActionScript Basics [View full size image] ActionScript 3.0 dramatically extends the functionality of Flash. It's a robust language, worth getting to know whether you want to create simple interactivity or complex applications. Lesson Overview In this lesson, you'll learn how to do the following: * Create basic scripts using ActionScript * Use the Actions panel * Use Script Assist * Add a stop action * Work with conditional statements * Load data from a URL * Work with event listeners * Assign actions to buttons This lesson will take approximately an hour to complete. If needed, remove the previous lesson folder from your hard drive, and copy the Lesson07 folder onto it.   Getting Started In this project, you'll add scripting to a website that promotes the DVD for which you created an interface in Lesson 3. 1. Open the 07End.swf file in the Lesson07/07End folder to see the final website. Click each button; the text in the center of the page changes to describe the cast, crew, and release dates for the movie. Close the file. You'll create the script that loads the appropriate text when each button is clicked: home, cast, crew, and release dates. Additionally, you'll use a conditional statement to loop to the first frame until the movie finishes loading. 2. In Flash, choose File > Open. Select the 07Start.fla file in the Lesson07/07Start folder, and click Open. All of the creative work is done for you. You just need to add the script to load the file and make the buttons function properly. 3. Choose File > Save As. Name the file 07_workingcopy.fla, and save it in the 07Start folder. Saving a working copy ensures that the original start file will be available if you wish to start over.