Macromedia Studio MX Bible

Using an Object's Envelope

Envelopes are new to Flash MX and are used to warp ungrouped objects. They don't work on grouped objects, symbols, gradient, text, or bitmaps. But if you Shift+select multiple objects, envelopes work. To use an object's envelope, follow these steps:

1. Select an object/s (don't group them).

   Cross-Reference

   To use an envelope for text refer to the "Break Apart Text" section to make the text into a shape first. Then Shift+select each letter before Step 2.

2. Choose Modify ® Transform ® Envelope.

3. You'll see two kinds of handles, square and circular (Figure 25-11). You can manipulate the points using the square handles. The circular handles are tangent handles (Bezier).

   Figure 25-11: The envelope with the handles manipulated

4. If you decide to remove the envelope effect, select it and choose Modify ® Transform ® Remove.