My Flash Resource - New Ideas and News for Applying Flash to Complex Gaming Apps

The following is a list of shortcut keys that I find most used in Flash. These are the same for Flash 5, Flash MX, Flash MX 2004, Flash 8. I have denoted these shortcuts using a PC. If your using a MAC, just change the CTRL to COMMAND.

Tools:

Selection Tool - V
Sub Selection Tool - A
Free Transform Tool - Q
Gradient Transform Tool - F
Line Tool - N
Lasso Tool - L
Pen Tool - P
Text Tool - T
Oval Tool - O
Flash Rectangle Tool - R
Pencil Tool - Y
Brush Tool - B
Ink Bottle Tool - S
Paint Bucket Tool - K
Flash Eyedropper Tool - I
Flash Eraser Tool - E

Zoom
Zoom In - CTRL + ‘+’
Zoom Out - CTRL + ‘-’

Frames

Add Frame – F5
Delete Frame – SHIFT + F5
Add Key Frame – F6
Add Blank Key Frame – F7

Symbol (MovieClip, Button, Graphic)

Turn Into Symbol – F8
Insert New Symbol - CTRL + F8

File

New Document - CTRL + N
Open Document - CTRL + O
Close Document - CTRL + W
Close All - CTRL + ALT + W
Save - CTRL + S
Save as… - CTRL + SHIFT + S
Import to Stage - CTRL + R
Publish - SHIFT + F12
Exit - CTRL + Q

Modifying and Editing

Undo - CTRL + Z
Redo - CTRL + Y

Cut - CTRL + X
Copy - CTRL + C
Paste - CTRL + V
Paste in Place - CTRL + SHIFT + V

Testing Your Movie

Test Movie - CTRL + ENTER
Debug Movie - CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER

Alright I think that covers it. I’ve been meaning to put this up for a long time and finally its here. Comment on this if you want to add any Flash Shortcut Keys that you use frequently.

Shortcut-keys are an essential tool for any serious Flash Animator/Developer. Get to know them and you will be able to work much more efficiently. A complete list of shortcut-keys is listed on the Adobe-Macromedia website as a tech note.

One technique that I sometimes use is to write down (on a notepad) the shortcut-key that you want to learn. Keep this piece of paper handy and try to use the shortcut-key every time you perform the given action. I found it easier to learn a couple at a time rather than all of them at once. Eventually it will become habit.