text for the phone screen, and use a mask to reveal the text gradually. 2. Double-click the 04Start.fla file in the Lesson04/04Start folder to open the initial project file in Flash. 3. Choose File > Save As. Name the file 04_workingcopy.fla, and save it in the 04Start folder. Saving a working copy ensures that the original start file will be available if you wish to start over. Organizing Layers in a Timeline The 04Start.fla file contains a single layer, called Assets. The Assets layer contains symbols you'll use as you create the birthday card. You'll need additional layers for the project, and it's good practice to organize the layers in a Timeline when you start a project. You can import assets directly into the Library panel, but you may prefer to import them onto the Stage, so that you can arrange them all at once before separating them into the layers that are appropriate for the animation you plan. [View full size image] Adding a Layer for Actions To stop the sound file from looping, you'll use a simple action. Typically, designers place actions on their own layer, making it easier to troubleshoot or revise them later. In fact, the Actions layer is usually the top layer in the Timeline, so you can find it easily if you need to modify the animation. To keep things neat, you'll create a layer for the sound file directly below the Actions layer. 1. Select the Assets layer, and click the Insert Layer icon twice. 2. Name the top layer Actions. 3. Name the second layer Sound. Creating Layer Folders Layer folders can help you keep your folders organized, especially in projects that require numerous layers. Think through your project before beginning, and create your layer folders before you need them. You'll save time later, as you'll know exactly where to look for a specific layer, and you won't need to rearrange layers to make animations work as expected. For this project, you'll create a layer folder to contain the text and battery layers. 1. Select the Assets layer, and click the Insert Layer Folder icon (). 2. Name the folder Text And Battery. Adding Layers to Layer Folders You'll add the text and battery layers to the Text and Battery folder, and you'll add separate layers for the background objects and other assets. As you arrange layers, remember that Flash displays the layers in the order they appear in the Timeline, with the top layer at the front and the bottom layer at the back. 1. Click the Insert Layer icon. 2. Drag the new layer into the Text And Battery folder, and name it Low Batt. 3. Click the Insert Layer icon five times. Because the Low Batt layer was selected, the new layers are added to the Text And Battery folder. 4. Name the layers, from top to bottom: Birthday Message, Incoming Text Message, Hi, Just Wanted, and I Hope.