We're developing more PC and web tutorials, free for you to use. Please keep checking back!

Intro to Flash

This tutorial will show you how to create a custom cursor in Flash. To do this, you will create a Movie clip symbol and add basic scripting to hide the existing cursor and to create and control the new, custom cursor.

To see an example, mouseover the Flash movie below to control the custom cursor.

You must have the Flash player installed to view the Flash animation.

Create a Movie clip symbol

If it's not already running, start Flash.

On the main menu, choose Insert>New Symbol... (or Ctrl+F8) to create a new symbol. Flash displays the Create New symbol dialog.

In the Name textbox, type cursorNew.

Next, select Movie clip from among the Type options.

Click OK.

Create (draw or paste) your cursor object.

Click on Scene 1 (illustration below). Flash displays the main Stage window.

Drag the new cursor object, cursorNew, from the Library onto the stage. (To display the Library panel, use Ctrl+L.)

In the Properties tab, rename <Instance Name> to cursorNew.

Make sure the Actions panel is displayed. If it's not, press F9.

Select frame 1 of Layer 1.

In the Actions panel, type the following script:

Mouse.hide()
startDrag(cursorNew,true)

Save (and name) your file.

The first line of the Action script hides the existing cursor. The second line of the script instantiates the new cursor.

Pay close attention when you type the script. You must match the object's name exactly, including capitalization. (For example, if you typed cursornew instead of cursorNew, the cursor object would not function correctly.)