MACROMEDIA FreeHand MX, Use Manual

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Chapter 9 300
Editing symbols
Editing a symbol (the parent) automatically changes all associated instances (children).
You can easily change all instances of a symbol in the document by replacing the symbol in the
library with a selected object on the canvas. You can also replace selected objects or instances on
the canvas with an instance of a different symbol in the library.
To edit a symbol:
1
Double-click the symbol icon or symbol preview in the Library panel.
The symbol opens in a separate editing window.
2
To update all instances when you edit your symbol, select Auto-Update in the upper left corner
of the editing window.
Note: The Auto-Update option is selected by default. Although Auto-Update allows for live display of changes
made in the editing window, changes are not actually applied to the original document until you close the editing
window or switch to another FreeHand document.
3
Edit the symbol as desired.
4
Close the editing window.
To replace a symbol and all associated instances with another object:
1
Drag the new object onto the symbol you want to replace in the Library panel.
2
At the prompt, click Replace.
All instances associated with the original symbol are updated automatically.
To replace objects or instances in the document with a symbol from the library:
1
In the Document window, select an object or instance that you want to replace. Shift-click to
select more than one object or instance.
2
Select the symbol in the Library panel.
3
Do one of the following:
•
Click the Swap Symbol icon in the Library panel.
•
Click the Library panel Options menu control and select Swap.
The objects or instances you selected in the document are replaced with an instance of the symbol
selected in the Library panel.
Exporting symbols
You can export symbols for use in other FreeHand documents.
To export one or more symbols:
1
Click the Library panel Options menu control and select Export.
2
Select the symbol or symbols you want to export.
3
Click Export.
4
In the Export Symbols dialog box, browse to locate the folder to which to save the symbol file.
5
Enter a filename, and click Save.