How do I combine elements of two projects?

[Peteroid]

Let's say I create a project with Character A in it. Then I create a project with Character B in it. Now I want to create a project with both Character A and Character B in it. And, same question, just replace 'Character' with 'Later'.

Your first thought is use the Content Library. Great idea, except, as I've reported, the Library CRASHES about 80% of the time at random times for me. Some of these crashes require me to reboot if I ever want to access the Library again (i.e., there are times that the Library crashes the whole program on OPENING the Library (AS7PRO not responding). Without the Content Library working reliably, the inability to share layers amongst projects is very, very frustrating for me.

And it seems this is something that really shouldn't CRASH the system... the rest of AS7PRO is quite complex and has never crashed... looking up files on my system CRASHES?!!! The ONLY crashes I've EVER had... is using the Library!

Is there no way to Copy a Layer from one project and Paste it in another? It seems kind of odd this isn't possible (oh please tell me I'm wrong!). I mean, I see absolutely no reason why this would ever cause a problem (Layers aren't really project context sensitive). In fact, the Library (when working) DEPENDS on being able to use any Layer in any project. I mean, this is version 7... copying, cut, and pasting Layers in an EDITOR seems like a no brainer to me...

Has Smith Micro announced any plan for a patch at any time soon? I need for some of this stuff that's broken to start working soon for me to do my project...

[heyvern]

I don't use the library much but not because it crashes for me which it never has ever. Even during beta testing I didn't have problems with it. Make sure your version of Flash player is up to date. The library uses Flash extensively and requires the latest version.

The reason I don't use the library is that it is so much easier to keep my files organized and located where I want them instead of everything in the library folder.

So back to "not" using the library.

If you want to load a character or a bunch of layers into another AS file:

1.Open the file you want to import. Put all the layers you want to import into one top level group or bone layer. Give that new layer a name that describes it.

2. Open the file you want to import INTO. Go to the file/import/Anime Studio Object. Select the previous file. Choose the group/bone layer you created and import. This will import those layers and any animation they have.

This is nearly EXACTLY the same as using the library.

-vern

[sbtamu]

I believe flash 10.1 is out now, my PC auto updated it a few hrs ago.

[Peteroid]

I don't use the library much but not because it crashes for me which it never has ever. Even during beta testing I didn't have problems with it. Make sure your version of Flash player is up to date. The library uses Flash extensively and requires the latest version.

The reason I don't use the library is that it is so much easier to keep my files organized and located where I want them instead of everything in the library folder.

So back to "not" using the library.

If you want to load a character or a bunch of layers into another AS file:

1.Open the file you want to import. Put all the layers you want to import into one top level group or bone layer. Give that new layer a name that describes it.

2. Open the file you want to import INTO. Go to the file/import/Anime Studio Object. Select the previous file. Choose the group/bone layer you created and import. This will import those layers and any animation they have.

This is nearly EXACTLY the same as using the library.

-vern

OMG... I never noticed 'File/Import/Anime Studio Object" (i.e., it wasn't in any of the tutorials...hehe)!

That is EXACTLY what I was looking for! I may not use the Library either now. This is, like you said, having everything you've done in a 'library' at your convenience.

Thanks again!

[heyvern]

Glad to help out.

Don't get me wrong, I think the library is a good idea but it really needs extra features like being able to define multiple "paths" to different locations for library content just to name one.

Currently the library is good for common elements that don't change over time, continue to "grow" and are used a lot like eyes, hands, skeleton rigs, etc. Those items can be searched as well which is helpful, but for "short term" projects it is too much effort to put a projects files in the library in my opinion.

-vern