Action! Commands
Action! Command Index

Use the scroll bar to see entries not currently visible in the Help window.  To learn how to use Windows Help, press F1 or choose Using Help... from the Help menu.

Click a command to see a description of it.  A command followed by an ellipses (...) includes a description of the dialog box associated with that command.

File Menu Commands

New

Open...

Load Template...

Save

Save As...

Save Template As...

Import...

Import Presentation...

Export...

Printer Setup...

Print...

Print To Video...

Exit

Edit Menu Commands

Undo/Redo

Cut

Copy

Paste

Paste Slide...

Delete

Select All

Paste Special...

Clear Special...

Duplicate

Edit Object...

Edit Arc/Poly

Snap to Grid

Preferences...

Edit Menu (Data Window) Commands

Undo/Redo

Cut

Copy

Paste

Paste Link

Clear

Insert Row/Col

Delete Row/Col

Go To Cell...

Number Format...

Control Menu Commands

Rewind

Backstep

Step

Play

Fast Forward

Play Presentation

Zoom In

Zoom Out

Set Loop...

Set Pause...

Scene View

Template View

Compressed View

Window Menu Commands

Timeline

Scene Sorter

Content List

Control Panel

Tool Palette

Full Screen

Object Menu Commands

New Object

Group

Ungroup

Explode Metafile

Align Objects...

Synchronize Objects...

Bring To Front

Send To Back

Move Forward

Move Back

Show/Hide Template Objects

Show/Hide Scene Objects

Promote to Scene

Text Menu Commands

Font

Size

Style

Alignment

Border

Scene Menu Commands

New Scene

Insert Scene...

Edit Scene...

Edit Template...

Set Background...

Delete Unused Template...

Next Scene

Previous Scene

Set Preview

Scene List

Chart Menu Commands

Gallery

Data Window

Data Motion

Chart Options...

Axis Options...

Perspective...

Help Menu Commands

Commands...

Using Help...

About Action!...


New Command

Opens a new, untitled Action! presentation window in scene view, and displays the Tool Palette and Control Panel.  You can only have one presentation window open at a time.  To name the presentation, choose Save or Save As... from the File menu.

By default, Action! creates a new presentation with 1 scene.  You can change the default number of scenes using Preferences... on the Edit menu.


Open... Command

Opens a saved Action! presentation or stationery document.  If you have made changes to the current presentation when you choose this command, Action! prompts you to save your changes before displaying the Open Presentation dialog box.

File Name:

Type a document name or select a name from the list.  Action! opens presentations with the .ACT extension and stationery with the .STA extension.

Preview

Displays a compressed view image of the first scene in the presentation or stationery document.  You can change the previewed image using Set Preview on the Scene menu.

Open

Opens the selected document.  A stationery document opens as an untitled copy of the original document.

The presentation opens in compressed view if the "Open in Compressed View" option is selected in the Preferences dialog box.  Compressed View displays all the objects in each scene at their Hold positions.


Load Template... Command

Loads a template into the current presentation and applies it to one or more scenes.  You can apply the template to all scenes, one or more selected scenes, sequential scenes, or load it and apply it later.  To apply the template to selected scenes, select the scenes in the scene sorter before choosing this command.  The template you apply replaces the previous template.

Action! first displays the Load Template dialog box.  When you click Open, Action! displays the Apply Template dialog box.

Load Template dialog box

Lists the Action! templates (with file extension .TPL) that are in the current directory.

File Name:

Type a document name or select one from the list.

Preview

Displays a compressed view image of the selected template.  You can change the previewed image using Set Preview on the Scene menu.

Open

Loads the template and displays the Apply Template dialog box.

Apply Template dialog box

Specifies where presentations to insert templates in the presentation.

Template File:

Displays the name of the template that has just been loaded, and lists all templates loaded in the current presentation.

To:

All Scenes

Applies the template to every scene in the presentation.

Current Scenes

Applies the template to the scenes you selected in the scene sorter or to the current scene in the presentation window.

From Scene

Applies the template to a sequential number of scenes.

Apply Later

Loads the template without applying it.  To apply it later, select the scene(s) in the scene sorter to which you want to apply the template, and choose Edit Scene... from the Scene Menu.  Choose the template from the template list in the Edit Scene dialog box.

OK

Applies the template.


Save Command

Saves the current presentation, replacing the previous version saved under the same name.  The first time you choose this command for a new presentation, Action! displays the Save Presentation dialog box so you can name the presentation.

File Name:

Contains the file name. Use this box to enter a file name or select a name from the list.

File Type:

Lists the formats in which you can save the presentation.

Document

Saves the presentation so that it can be opened and played by Action! Document files have the extension .ACT.

Stationery

Saves the presentation so that it can be reopened and edited but leave an original version of the presentation intact.  Stationery files have the extension .STA.

Player

Saves the presentation so that it can be played by the Action! player. Player files have the extension .ACP.


Save As... Command

Saves the current presentation under a different name, in a different location, or in a different format. Use Save As.. to save a presentation that is still untitled.

File Name:

Contains the file name. Use this box to enter a file name or choose a name from the list.

File Type:

Lists the formats in which you can save the presentation.

Document

Saves the presentation so that it can be opened and played by Action! Document files have the extension .ACT.

Stationery

Saves the presentation so that it can be reopened and edited but leave an original version of the presentation intact. Stationery files have the extension .STA.

Player

Saves the presentation so that it can be played by the Action! player. Player files have the extension .ACP.


Save Template As... Command

Saves all the objects in the current template view as a template file, with a .TPL extension.  Action! saves any background image and IN Transition you set for the current template.  Give the template a descriptive name to help you remember its contents.


Import... Command

Imports a graphic, Macromedia Director movie, sound, or Windows palette into the current scene or template. If the Data Window is open, imports data from the Clipboard. You can also import a movie or sound by clicking the Action tool or the Sound tool in the Tool Palette, and then clicking in the presentation window.

File Type:

Lists the file types that Action! can import.

.DIB, .BMP	Windows bitmap graphics

.WMF	Windows Metafile graphic

.PAL	Windows palette

.WAV	Microsoft WAVE sound

.MID 	MIDI

CD Audio	Compact Disc sound

.MMM	Converted Macromedia Director 2.0

or 3.0 movie

Before importing a CD Audio sound, you must have a CD player attached to your computer.  Before importing a Director movie, the movie must be converted on a Macintosh computer using the Gaffer in Macromedia Windows Player.

Because digitized (.WAV) sounds require lots of memory, you might want to use .WAV sounds for short (object) sounds and use .MID or CD Audio sounds for longer (scene) sounds.

If the Data Window is open, lists the types of data files that Action! can import.

.WK1 	Lotus

.WKS	Lotus

.TXT	Space separated

.TXT	Tab separated

.CSV	Comma separated

.XLS	Excel

.DBF	dBase

File Name:

Displays the name of the file to import.  Type the file name or choose it from the list.

Preview

Displays an image of the selected file or plays the selected sound. (Preview is not available if the Data Window is open.)

Use Palette

When checked, uses the palette associated with the selected graphic file or movie (Use Palette is not available when the Data Window is open.).  An imported graphic's palette is then available for use in any Action! scene or template.  (An imported movie's palette is not available for use in other scenes or templates.)  The scene uses the graphic's or movie's palette when the graphic or movie appears in the scene.  For best results, import movies that use the Macintosh system palette.  The Macintosh system palette matches Action!'s default palette, except for the bottom 16 colors in the Action! palette.

Import

Imports the selected file.  An imported graphic or movie is visible in the current scene and in the Timeline.  An imported sound is visible only in the Timeline.  An imported palette becomes the current palette.

If you import a movie, you may need to play the movie and lengthen its duration in the Timeline to make sure that the entire movie plays in the scene.  To crop the movie, select it and drag one of its handles to decrease the size of the rectangle in which the movie plays.

If you import a sound, Action! displays the Sound Edit dialog box so you can specify the sound's duration in the scene.  If you import a CD Audio sound, click the CD Audio button in the Sound Edit dialog to display the CD Audio Editor dialog box.  Use this dialog box to control the CD player and to create the CD Audio segment.  To create the segment, specify a start time and track number, and an end time and track number.  Click Preview to preview the CD segment.  When you click OK, Action! returns you to the Sound Edit dialog so you can specify the sound's duration in the scene.

If you import data, Action! starts inserting data at cell A1 in the Data Window..


Import Presentation... Command

Imports presentations from external applications. Imported presentations must be in .WMF format.

File Name:

Lists the name of the file to be imported. Choose a file directory and name from the directory and file lists, or type the file name in the File Name box.

Import Options

Specifies how the file is imported.

Import as One Metafile

Imports the presentation in its original form

Separate Text Only

Extracts the text from the presentation, and makes the text items individual objects that you can assign action, sound, and links. The background remains in .WMF format.

Separate All Objects in Metafile

Separates the presentation into its individual objects, which lets you apply separate action to each object.

Insert Scene Options

Specifies where to insert the imported files. Action! treats each file as a separate scene, and inserts the scenes according to their order in the list of file names.

At Beginning

Inserts the scenes at the beginning of the presentation.

After Current Scene

Inserts the scenes after the currently selected scene.

At End

Inserts the scenes after the last scene in the presentation.


Export... Command

Saves a snapshot of the current scene to a file that can be opened by other Windows graphics applications.

File Type:

Lists the file types that Action! can export.

.DIB	Windows bitmap graphics

.WMF	Windows Metafile graphic

File Name:

Enter the file name you want to assign to the exported file.

Export

Exports one or more snapshots of the current scene to one or more snapshot files of the specified file type in the current directory.

Start Time:

Specifies the time in the current scene at which Action! begins exporting a snapshot of the scene.  This is typically the time at which objects first appear in the scene.

End Time:

Specifies the time at which Action! stops exporting a snapshot of the scene.  This can be any time during the scene, up to and including the scene's end time.

Every:

Specifies how often between the Start Time and End Time Action! creates a snapshot of the scene.  Action! saves each snapshot to a separate file, using the first five characters of the specified file name, followed by a sequential number, e.g., LUNAC001.DIB, LUNAC002.DIB.


Printer Setup... Command

Displays the Microsoft Windows Printer Setup dialog box.  Use this dialog box to choose or change print options.  For more information, click Help... in the Printer Setup dialog box or refer to the Microsoft Windows User's Guide.


Print... Command

Prints the current presentation using the printer specified by the Printer Setup... command on the File menu.  As the default, Action! prints the objects in each scene at their Hold positions.  Otherwise, Action! prints the scene image if you specified it using the Set Preview command on the Scene menu

Copies:

Specifies the number of copies to print, from 1 to 99.

Scenes:

All

Prints all scenes in the presentation.

From

Prints a range of scenes, between 1 and 99.

Animation

Prints the presentation as it appears on the stage.

Scene Sorter

Prints a copy of the Scene Sorter.

Timeline

Prints a copy of the Timeline.

Content List

Prints a copy of the Content List.

Scenes per Page:

Specifies whether to print 1,2, or 4 scenes on each page.

No Background

When checked, Action! does not print scene or template backgrounds.  Action! prints faster with no backgrounds and with better clarity of other objects in the scene, especially if you are printing on a black and white printer.


Print To Video... Command

Creates a videotape of the current Action! presentation.  You must have an NTSC or PAL video card installed in your computer to print to videotape.  Before choosing this command, connect a videotape recorder to your computer's video output receptacle and press Record on the videotape recorder.  Wait four seconds before clicking Print To Video in the dialog box.  You must press the recorder's Stop button when you are finished recording.

If your computer's screen saver is enabled, you may want to disable it using the Windows Control Panel before choosing this command.  Otherwise, the screen saver may become active while printing is in progress.

Action! prints to video in Full Screen mode.  While printing to videotape, you have full control of the presentation.  You can start, stop, pause, or click built-in buttons in the presentation to control the sequence of scenes.


Exit Command

Quits Action!  If the current presentation has unsaved changes, Action! displays a dialog box asking you if you want to save the changes.


Undo/Redo Command

Undo reverses your last action in the active window and switches to Redo.  Redo cancels the effect of the Undo command.  Undo becomes Can't Undo if the last action cannot be reversed.


Cut Command

Removes one or more selected objects or scenes from the presentation and puts them on the Clipboard.  The object's attributes go with the object to the Clipboard.


Copy Command

Copies one or more selected objects or scenes to the Clipboard.  The object's attributes go with the object to the Clipboard.


Paste Command

Puts a copy of the Clipboard contents into the current scene, template, or selected text field at the current time.  Action! preserves all the attributes of objects when they are pasted. This command is unavailable if the Clipboard is empty.

Action! puts a pasted object in the top layer of the Timeline, so that it appears on top of all other objects in the scene or template.  Action! pastes the object with all its attributes, including Enter, Hold, and Exit settings, links, and attached sounds.  The pasted object's start time is relative to the current position of the playback head (the current scene time).


Paste Slide... Command

Pastes a slide from the Clipboard.

Import Options

Specifies how a slide is imported.

Import as One Metafile

Imports the slide in its original form.

Separate Text Only

Extracts the text from the slide, and makes the text items individual objects that you can assign action, sound, and links. The background remains in .WMF format..

Separate All Objects in Metafile

Separates the slide into its individual objects, which lets you apply separate actions to each object.

Insert Scene Options

Specifies where to insert the imported slide, which Action! treats as separate scene.

At Beginning

Inserts the slide at the beginning of the presentation.

After Current Scene

Inserts the slide s after the currently selected scene.

At End

Inserts the slide after the last scene in the presentation.


Delete Command

Removes the selection without putting it on the Clipboard.  If you accidentally delete something, immediately choose Undo from the Edit menu. (In the Edit menu for the Data Window, this command is called the Clear command.)


Select All Command

Selects all objects in the current window.  In the presentation window or in the Timeline, this command selects all objects in the window, regardless of their scene time.  This means that all objects are selected even if some of them are not currently visible in the presentation window.  In the scene sorter, choosing this command selects all scenes.  In the Content List, choosing this command selects all objects in the current scene.

If you only want to select those objects that are visible in the presentation window at the current time, drag across the objects or Shift-click to select them.


Paste Special... Command

Puts a copy of the Clipboard contents into the current scene or template, and lets you specify how to paste the time and other object attributes.  (This command is not applicable when pasting imported objects such as movies or sounds, or when pasting from another application.)

Time:

From Offset

Pastes objects using their original start time as an offset from the current scene time.  The offset is measured from the current position of the playback head.  If the object's original start time was two seconds after the scene's beginning, the pasted object's start time will be two seconds after the current position of the playback head.

From Now

Pastes objects at the current location of the playback head, ignoring the original start time of the objects.

Attributes:

All

Pastes objects with all their associated attributes.  If an object's duration is longer than the scene's duration, Action! lengthens the scene's duration to accommodate the object.

Static

Pastes objects preserving their static attributes (ink, color, content, hold, and duration) without transitions, motions, sounds, or links.


Clear Special Command

Clear Special... Command

Resets the time-related attributes of one or more selected objects.  For more information, select the name of a command.

Clear Dynamic

Clear Beginning To Now

Clear Now To End


Clear Special... Dynamic Command

Removes the transition, motion, Enter and Exit durations, sound, and link attributes from a selected object, but preserves the object's Hold duration and all other attributes (content, color, and ink).


Clear Special... Beginning To Now Command

Sets the start time of a selected object to the current scene time (the current location of the playback head in the Timeline).  Depending on the location of the playback head, this command may clear all or part of a selected object's Enter, Hold, or Exit phase.


Clear Special... Now To End Command

Shortens the duration of a selected object so that it ends at the current scene time (the current location of the playback head in the Timeline).  This command makes the object visible until the playback head reaches the current scene time.  This command is useful for creating a clean ending if you want several selected objects to leave the screen at the same time.


Duplicate Command

Creates a copy of one or more selected objects and places the copy near the original object.  You can then move the copy anywhere you want in the current scene or template.  When you duplicate an object, Action! adds the duplicate copy to the Timeline.  To stagger the appearance of several duplicates of an object in the scene, move the duplicate to a later time in the Timeline and then choose the Duplicate command again.  Action! offsets the new duplicate's Start Time in the Timeline.


Edit Object... Command

Displays the Edit Object dialog box, which allows you to edit a selected object's attributes.  The options in the dialog box depend on the type of object selected when you choose this command.  Double-clicking an object is a shortcut for choosing this command (except in compressed view).

To set the attributes of several objects at once, select the objects and choose this command.

For more information, select the name of an object.

Text

Graphic Object

Movie

Sound

Link


Edit Arc/Poly Command

Lets you change the shape of the selected arc or polygon.  This command appears as Edit Arc if an arc is selected or as Edit Polygon if a polygon is selected.

Edit Arc Command

Handles appear at each endpoint of the selected arc.  Drag a handle to change the shape of the arc.  To finish editing, click anywhere in presentation window.

Edit Polygon Command

Handles appear at each corner of the selected polygon.  Drag a corner to change the polygon's shape without affecting the other corners.  To finish editing, click anywhere in the presentation window.


Snap to Grid Command

When checked, aligns objects to an invisible grid when you create, move, or resize them.  Choose Snap to Grid again to uncheck the command in the menu and de-activate the grid.

Set the grid size using the Grid Dimensions option in the Preferences... command dialog box.

Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move one or more selected objects by 1 pixel in the direction of the arrow key you press.  If Snap to Grid is checked, pressing an arrow key moves the objects to the nearest grid point in the direction of the arrow key you press.


Preferences... Command

Choose or change settings that control some Action! operations.  For a new presentation, the Preferences dialog box displays the default values that Action! uses unless you change them.

Default Object Duration:

Sets the duration, in minutes and seconds, for all objects in the presentation.  You can set a different duration for an individual object using the Edit Object... command on the Edit menu.  The default duration for each object is 10 seconds.  This setting does not effect existing objects; it applies only to objects created or imported after you save the current presentation.

Default Scene Length:

Sets the scene length, in minutes and seconds, for all scenes in the presentation.  You can set a different duration for an individual scene using the Edit Scene... command on the Scene menu.  The default length for each scene is 1 minute.  This setting does not effect existing scenes; it applies only to scenes created after you save the current presentation.

Open In Compressed View

When checked, opens the presentation in compressed view, which allows you to view all scene and template objects in the current scene at the same time.  Objects appear at their Hold positions.

Load Templates in Compressed View

When checked, loads a template in compressed view when you use the Load Template command on the File menu.  This allows you to view all template objects at once.

Default Number of Scenes

Specifies the number of scenes Action! creates when you create a new presentation.  Changing this number does not affect the current presentation.  The default is 5 scenes.

Control Panel

Contains options for setting the Control Panel buttons.

Rew/FF:

Directly to Start/End

Sets Rewind and Fast Forward to rewind directly to the start or end of the scene.  This is the default.

Multiplier:

Sets the speed at which the Rewind and Fast Forward buttons operate.  The larger the number, the faster the rate.  By default, the buttons operate at a rate equal to 10 times normal speed.

Step Increment:

Sets the step increment, in milliseconds, for the Step and Backstep buttons.

Tab Every:

Sets the Tab key indent for text, in spaces, beginning at the text box's left margin.  This setting applies to all text in the presentation.  The default is 5 spaces.

Grid Dimensions

Specifies the invisible grid spacing, in pixels, used by the Snap To Grid command on the Edit menu.  The default grid is 16 pixels high and 12 pixels wide.

Stage Size

Specifies the size of the area in which the presentation plays.  You can change the stage size to match the Windows monitor resolution.  Use this option if you plan to create a presentation on a monitor that has a different size or resolution from the monitor on which you will play the presentation.


Paste Link Command

Links cells in the Data Window to an external application. After a link is established, edits to data in the external application are automatically duplicated in the Data Window. You  cannot edit the linked cells directly in the Data Window. The link remains active as long as both applications remain open.

To link cells,

1.	Select cells in the external application.

2.	Copy the cells to the Clipboard.

3.	Go to the Data Window and select the upper left cell of the group of cells you want to link.

4.	Choose Paste Link from the Edit menu.


Insert Row/Col Command

Inserts an empty row or column into the Data Window. To insert a row, select the row below where you want the new row. To insert a column, select the column to the left of where you want the new column. Then choose Insert Row or Insert Col from the Edit menu.


Delete Row/Col Command

Deletes a row or column. To delete a row, select the row. To delete a column, select the column. Then choose Delete Row or Delete Col from the Edit menu.


Go To Cell... Command

Makes a specific cell active. In the dialog box, enter the column letter and row number for the cell you want.


Number Format... Command

Specifies the format used to display numbers in Data Window cells.  The chosen format is used only in the Data Window and does not appear in the chart. To specify a format for numbers that appear in the chart, use the Chart Options and Axis Options commands in the Chart menu.


Rewind Command

Rewinds to the beginning of the current scene, using the Rew/FF rate specified by the Preferences... command on the Edit menu.  This command is the same as clicking Rewind in the Control Panel.  You can also drag the playback head to the left in the Timeline to rewind to a specific scene time.


Backstep Command

Moves backward in the current scene, using the step increment specified by the Preferences... command on the Edit menu.  The default backstep increment is 500 milliseconds (1/2 second).  This command is the same as clicking the backstep button in the Control Panel.  Press Ctrl+2 or click Backstep in the Control Panel to step backward one increment at a time.  Press and hold Ctrl+2, or press and hold Backstep in the Control Panel, to step continuously.


Stop Command

Stops playing the presentation.  This command is the same pressing Ctrl+3 or clicking the stop button in the Control Panel.


Step Command

Advances in the current scene, using the step increment specified by the Preferences... command on the Edit menu.  The default step increment is 500 milliseconds (1/2 second).  This command is the same as clicking the step button in the Control Panel.  Press Ctrl+4 or click step in the Control Panel to step forward one increment at a time.  Press and hold Ctrl+4, or press and hold step in the Control Panel, to step continuously.


Play Command

Plays the presentation, beginning at the current scene time.  This command is the same as clicking the play button in the Control Panel.


Fast Forward Command

Advances to the end of the current scene, using the Rew/FF rate specified by the Preferences... command on the Edit menu.  This command is the same as clicking the fast forward button in the Control Panel.  You can also drag the playback head to the right in the Timeline to fast forward to a specific time.


Play Presentation Command

Plays the presentation using the entire screen, with all windows and menus hidden, beginning from the first scene.  While the presentation plays, you can access the Action! menus by dragging the mouse pointer along the top edge of the screen.

To pause the presentation, press the spacebar.  Press the spacebar again to resume.

To stop the presentation, press Ctrl+3, choose Stop from the Control menu, or press Esc.


Zoom In Command

Enlarges the time scale in the Timeline.  You see less of the scene, but in greater detail with respect to the placement of objects in time.  Choose this command repeatedly to enlarge the time scale further, up to 10-second increments.  This command is the same as clicking the "+" icon at the bottom of the Timeline.  It is available only when the Timeline window is open.


Zoom Out Command

Reduces the time scale in the Timeline.  You see more of the scene, which is useful for getting an overview of the placement of objects in time.  Choose this command repeatedly to reduce the time scale further, up to 30-minute increments.  This command is the same as clicking the "-" icon at the bottom of the Timeline.  It is available only when the Timeline window is open.


Set Loop Command

Set Loop... Command

Creates a repeated action in the current scene.  You can set more than one loop in the Timeline.

Start Time:

Type the loop start time or click the arrows to set it.

End Time:

Type the loop end time or click the arrows to set it.

To create a loop, press Ctrl-Shift and click on where in the Timeline you want to set the loop. You can also create a loop by rewinding the scene to its beginning, playing the scene, and then clicking Stop in the Control Panel when the playback head reaches the location where you want to start the loop.  Then choose Set Loop... from the Control menu.  The Start Time value in the Set Loop dialog box reflects the location of the playback head.  Click the End Time to change it to the end time for the loop.  Click OK to set the loop in the Timeline.

Action! inserts start and end loop markers in the Timeline to mark the loop.  When the playback head reaches the start loop marker, Action! repeats the scene within the loop.  Drag a loop marker in the Timeline to change the start or end time of the loop.

To delete a loop, drag the markers down into Timeline, or double-click a loop marker to display the Edit Loop dialog box and then click Delete.

To continue from a loop, use the link tool to create a button within the loop and assign an action to it.


Set Pause... Command

Sets a pause in the current scene and inserts a pause marker in the Timeline.  You can set more than one pause in a scene.  When the presentation plays, Action! pauses the presentation when the playback head reaches the pause marker in the Timeline.  To continue the presentation, press the spacebar.  Pausing the presentation also pauses any sound that may be playing at the time of the pause.  When you resume, Action! resumes playing the sound.

Use this command to pre-set a pause in your presentation.  You can also pause your presentation at any time during playback by pressing the spacebar.  Press the spacebar again to resume.

Time:

Type, or click the arrows to set the time at which you want the pause to occur.

To set a pause, Ctrl-click where in the Timeline you want to set a pause.  You can also set a pause by rewinding the scene to its beginning, playing it, and then clicking Stop in the Control Panel when the playback head reaches where you want to insert a pause.  Then choose Set Pause... from the Control menu.  The Time value in the Set Pause dialog box indicates the location of the playback head.  Click OK to set the pause.

To change when the pause starts, drag a pause marker in the Timeline.

To delete the pause, drag the marker down into the Timeline, or double-click the pause marker to display the Edit Pause dialog box and then click Delete.


Scene View Command

When checked, displays the scene objects in the current scene at the current time, so you can move or edit them, or create new objects.  Scene view also displays template objects, but you cannot move or edit them.

To edit a template object in scene view, select the template and then convert it to a scene object by choosing Promote To Scene from the Object menu.  You can cut, copy, paste, delete, and duplicate template objects in scene view.  If you cut or copy and then paste a template object in scene view, Action! converts it to a scene object.  If you cut or delete a template object in scene view, it still appears in template view and in all other scenes that use the same template.  The changes you make to template objects in scene view are not reflected in the template itself or in other scenes that use the same template.

Some objects may not be visible in scene view if the current scene time is different from the objects' duration time.


Template View Command

When checked, displays the template objects associated with the current scene at the current time, so you can move or edit them, or create new objects.  To identify template view, Action! displays a template view icon in each corner of the window.  Scene objects are grayed.  Note that some objects are not visible in template view if the scene time is different from the object's duration time.  To make sure that template objects do not unexpectedly disappear before the end of a scene, you should assign very long durations to all template objects.  Make the object durations are longer than the duration of the longest scene to which the template will be applied.

If you modify a template object in template view, the changes are reflected in all scenes that use the current template.


Compressed View Command

When checked, displays all scene and template objects at their Hold positions, ignoring their start and end times and durations.  To identify compressed view, Action! displays a compressed view icon in each corner of the window.

By default, Action! opens presentations and loads templates in compressed view.  If you want to change this default, use the Preferences... command on the Edit menu.

Compressed View is useful for checking the location of all scene and template objects in the current scene.  You can move scene objects so that they will appear in the desired location even though they may have different scene times.  Compressed View is also useful for editing objects, since you can view all the objects at the same time.  You can edit, move, align, and group scene objects.  You cannot move template objects in compressed view, but you can cut, copy, paste, and delete them.  Double-click text to edit it.  Double-click an imported graphic to display the Import dialog box, so you can replace it with another graphic.

Choosing this command is the same as checking the compressed view check box in the Control Panel.  If you uncheck this box, click a Control Panel button, or choose a tool from the tool palette, Action! returns the presentation to scene view.  Keep in mind that when you leave Compressed view, some objects may disappear if their scene times do not match the current scene time.


Timeline Command

When checked, displays the Timeline window, which shows the time and layer relationships for all scene and template objects in the current scene.  The Timeline arranges objects from left to right according to their start times.  The Timeline arranges objects from top to bottom according to their layer, so that the top-most object appears in front of all other objects in the scene or template (except for any template objects that you have brought to the front using the Bring To Front command on the Object menu).  The only exception is a movie object, which appears in front of all other objects in the presentation window, regardless of its location in the Timeline.

Scene objects appear above template objects in the Timeline.  The boundary between them is indicated by a thick gray horizontal line.  In Template view, the Timeline only shows template objects.

Each object is represented by a horizontal bar.  Action uses a different bar color for each type of object.  The bar's length indicates the object's scene duration.   The bar's left edge represents the object's Enter time; the bar's right edge represents the object's Exit time.  The object's Hold duration is delimited by two vertical lines inside the bar.  The left-most vertical line indicates the start of the Hold phase; the right-most vertical line indicates the end of the Hold phase.

To change the Timeline scale, click the + or - icon to enlarge or reduce the time scale.  Double-click the + or - icon to zoom the time scale all the way in or out.  You can also choose a scale from the pop-up list between the + and - icons.

To move to a new scene time, drag the playback head left or right.

To move a loop marker or pause marker, drag the marker.  To edit a marker, double-click it to display the Edit Loop or Edit Pause dialog box. To delete a  marker, drag the marker down into the Timeline and release the mouse button.

To move an object to a new time, select the object and drag it horizontally.

To change the object's layer, select the object and drag it vertically.  In the presentation window, an object in a higher layer appears in front of an object in a lower layer if the objects overlap.

To change an object's Enter duration, select the object and drag its left edge.

To change an object's Hold duration, select the object and drag one of the vertical lines that's inside the bar.  Drag toward the end of the object to increase Hold duration; drag toward the center of the object to decrease Hold duration.

To change an object's Exit duration, select the object and drag its right edge.

To change an object's Enter, Hold, and Exit durations proportionally, select the object and hold down the Shift key while dragging the object's right or left edge, or one of the vertical lines inside the bar.

To change an object's attributes, double-click it to display the Edit Object dialog box.

To edit an object, select it and choose a command from the Edit menu.

To apply a link, sound, or action to an object, select the Link, Sound, or Action Tool in the Tool Palette and then click the object.


Scene Sorter Command

When checked, displays the Scene Sorter, which lets you add, delete, or rearrange scenes.  The Scene Sorter displays the compressed view image of all scenes in the presentation.  For each scene, Action! displays the name of the scene and its associated template.

Action! displays icons between scenes to indicate the scene's IN Transition and At End Of Scene settings, as specified in the scene's Edit Scene dialog box.  Action! displays a sound icon between scenes if an object's sound continues playing into the next scene, as specified in the object's Edit Object dialog box or Sound Edit dialog box.

Setting for At End of Scene	Icon displayed

in Edit Scene dialog box	in scene sorter

Skip (or Go) to Next Scene	right arrow

Skip (or Go) to Previous Scene	left arrow

Skip (or Go) to Scene	S# or G#, where # is

the destination

scene number

Replay Current Scene	circular arrow

Return	down left arrow

Stop	stop sign

A solid border encloses the current scene.  Choosing a command from the Object or Scene menu affects the current scene.  A dotted-line border frames the selected scene. Choosing a command from the Edit menu affects the selected scene.

To change the scene image displayed in the Scene Sorter, use Set Preview on the Scene Menu.

To make a scene the current scene, click the left or right scene arrows in the Control Panel.

To select a scene, click it.

To add a new scene, choose New Scene from the Scene menu.  Action! adds the new scene after the current scene.

To insert a new scene, choose Insert Scene... from the Scene menu.  You can insert a scene at the beginning of the presentation, after the current scene, or at the end of the presentation.

To select more than one scene, hold down the Shift key while you click additional scenes.

To de-select a scene, hold down the Shift key and click the scene.

To reorder a scene, select it and drag it to the new location.

To edit a scene, select it and choose a command from the Edit menu.

To change a scene's settings, double-click it to display the Edit Scene dialog box.

To edit a scene's template, select the scene and choose Edit Template... from the Scene menu.

To apply a different template to the scene, select the scene and choose Edit Scene... from the Scene menu.

To delete a scene, select it and choose Delete from the Edit menu.


Content List Command

When checked, displays the Content List window, which lists the names of all scenes in the presentation and all the objects in each scene.  Use the Content List as you would use an outline, to review or rearrange the order of scenes in your presentation.  You can create, delete, or reorder scenes, add objects to scenes, edit the names of scenes and objects, and add new objects to scenes.  Action! lists objects in their start time order in the scene.  Since the Content List doesn't take into account the layering of objects, objects might not be in the same order as they appear in the Timeline.

Action! displays an outline box around the current scene's icon.  Choosing a command from the Object or Scene menus affects the current scene.  Action! highlights the selected scene.  Choosing a command from the Edit menu affects the selected scene.

To make a scene the current scene, click the left or right scene arrows in the Control Panel, choose the scene from the scene list in the Control Panel, or use the Scene List command on the Scene menu.

To select a scene, click the scene's icon or Shift-click to select multiple scenes.

To select an object, click the object's icon, or Shift-click to select multiple objects in the same scene.

To create a new scene, choose New Scene from the Scene menu.  Action! adds the new scene after the last scene, and makes it the current scene.

To create a new object in the current scene, choose New Object from the Object menu.

To insert a scene, choose Insert Scene... from the Scene menu.  You can insert a scene at the beginning of the presentation, after the current scene, or at the end of the presentation.

To cut, copy, or paste an object in the current scene; select it and choose the appropriate command from the Edit menu.

To rename a scene or object, select the name and type a new name.  You should assign unique names to your scenes and objects to help identify them.

To move a scene or object, drag its icon to the new location.  You can move objects within or between scenes.  Moving an object up or down within a scene changes its start time.  The change is reflected in the Timeline.

To change the current scene's attributes, choose Edit Scene... from the Scene menu.

To collapse or expand a scene's object list, double-click the scene's icon.


Control Panel Command

When checked, displays the Control Panel, which allows you to control the current scene, preview it, and play the presentation.  Use the Preferences... command on the Edit menu to set the behavior for the Rewind, Fast Forward, Step, and Backstep buttons.

To minimize the Control Panel, click the minimize box at the top right corner of the Control Panel to display just the control buttons.  Click it again to display the full Control Panel.

To advance or reverse the scene time, drag the slider to the right or left, or click the time to change it.

To display all objects in the current scene or template, click the compressed view checkbox.  Action! displays all objects in the current scene or template at their Hold positions, without regard to their scene times.  Checking this box is the same as choosing Compressed View from the Control menu.

To make a different scene the current scene, click the scene name to display a list of all scenes in the presentation, and choose a name from the list to make it the current scene.

To display the next or previous scene, click the left or right arrow.

To display the first or last scene, double-click the left or right arrow.


Tool Palette Command

When checked, displays the Tool Palette, which provides tools for creating text, objects, and buttons, adding sounds or movies, applying actions, and for choosing colors, patterns, and line styles for text and drawn objects.  Action! creates new objects at the current scene time.

If you use the right mouse button to select a tool (except for the text tool), that tool remains selected until you choose another tool.  If you select a tool using the left mouse button, Action! reselects the pointer tool after you finish with the current tool.

pointer

Click this tool to reposition, resize, or select objects.  To select more than one object, Shift-click objects to add them to the selection, or drag across objects to select many at once.  When you drag the pointer across objects, Action! selects objects that fall entirely within the selection rectangle.  To select objects that intersect the selection rectangle, press Ctrl while dragging.  To re-size an object proportionally, press Shift while resizing it.  To apply an object's attributes to another object, first select the object that has the attributes you want to change.  Then Ctrl-click the object that has the attributes you want to apply.  Action! applies the attributes of the object you Ctrl-click to the object you first selected.  To apply an object's attributes to the Tool Palette, Ctrl-click the object.  Action! changes the Tool Palette's color, outline, and pattern palettes, and the line sample to match the object.

text tool

Click this tool, then click (or drag to create a bounding box of the desired width) in the presentation window and type to create text.  To change text attributes or color, select the text and choose a command from the Text menu, or choose a color from the color chip in the Tool Palette.

drawing tools

Click the rectangle, polygon, rounded rectangle, oval, line, or arc tool and drag in the presentation window to create an object.  To create a square or circle, select the rectangle or oval tool and then press Shift while dragging.

chart tool

Click and drag the cursor in the presentation window to create a chart. A sample chart, the Chart Gallery, and the Data Window appear.

To edit chart data, use the Data Window. To change the chart format, choose a new format from the Chart Gallery. To change color, labeling, grids or line style, use the Chart Options and Axis Options commands.

You can also use the chart tool to select and change parts of an existing chart. To change the color and color and line settings of labels and title text, select the chart tool and then click the label or title. Then use the line and color tools in the Tool Palette or Text menu commands to change the titles. To change grid lines, select the chart tool from the Tool Palette and then use the line and color tools in the Tool Palette to change the grid lines.

To change the color of the walls and floor in a 3D chart, select the chart tool and then click the item. Then use the color tool to change the color.

color chip

Click to display the color palette, so you can change the color of the selected object or text.

Click the upper left corner of the chip to display the palette for the fill color. If the object has a pattern, click the lower right corner to display the palette for the second color in the pattern.

Click the line below the chip to display the palette for border colors.

pattern sample

Click to choose a different pattern.  Double-click to change the pattern colors, or to choose a different pattern palette.

line sample

Click to choose a different line width.  Double-click to change the line width or line style.

action tool

Click to apply action to an object or import a Macromedia Director movie into the current scene or template.  To apply action to an object, select the action tool and then click the object to display the Apply Action dialog box.  To import a Director movie, click the action tool and then click anywhere in the presentation window to display the Import dialog box.

sound tool

Click to apply a sound to an object or to the current scene or template.  To assign a sound to an object, click this tool and then click the object.  To assign a sound to the current scene or template, click this tool and then click anywhere in the presentation window.  The Import dialog box appears so you can choose the sound.  When you click Import in this dialog box, Action! displays the Sound Edit dialog box so you can specify the sound's duration (and for an object, cue the sound to the object's Enter, Hold, or Exit phase).  If you import a CD Audio sound, click the CD Audio button to display the CD Audio Editor dialog box.  Use this dialog box to create the CD Audio segment.  To create the segment, specify a start time and track number, and an end time and track number.  When you click OK, Action! returns you to the Sound Edit dialog so you can specify the sound's duration.

Note that you must have a sound card installed in your computer to play sounds in an Action! presentation.  To play CD sounds, you must have a compact disc player attached to your computer.

link tool

Click to make an object into a button or create a new button.  To make an object into a button, click the link tool and click the object to display the Create Link dialog box.  To create a new button, click the link tool and then click anywhere in the presentation window to display the Create Button dialog box.


Full Screen Command

When checked, displays the presentation window using the entire screen, and hides the menu bar and any other open windows.  This command gives you the same viewing area as when you choose Play Presentation from the Control menu.  To get access to the menus, drag the pointer along the top edge of the screen.  To cancel this view, press Esc or Alt+W,F, or choose Full Screen again from the Window menu.


New Object Command

Creates a placeholder for a new object in the current scene or template, and in the Timeline and Content List.  For more information, choose an object from the list.

Text

Graphic

Sound

Movie

Button


New Object Text Command

Creates a new, empty text object at the current time in the current scene or template.  Choosing this command is the same as using the text tool in the Tool Palette.  After choosing this command, type the text you want the object to contain.


New Object Graphic Command

Creates a placeholder for an imported graphic at the current time in the current scene or template.  Action! creates a graphic object placeholder with handles in the presentation window  (as well as in the Timeline and Content List).  To import a graphic image, double-click the placeholder in the scene or in the Timeline to display the Edit Object dialog box.  Choose Content from the drop-down list, and then click the grey content replacement button to open the Import dialog box.


New Object Sound Command

Creates a placeholder for a sound at the current time in the current scene.  Action! displays the sound placeholder only in the Timeline and the Content List, and not the scene.  To import a sound, open the Timeline or Content List and double-click the sound placeholder to display the Edit Object dialog box.  Click the grey content replacement button in the Edit Object dialog box to display the Import dialog box.  Choose the sound you want and click Import.  Action! displays the Sound Edit dialog box so you can specify the sound's duration.  If you import a CD Audio sound, click the CD Audio button to display the CD Audio Editor dialog box.  Use this dialog box to create the CD Audio segment.  To create the segment, specify a start time and track number, and an end time and track number.  When you click OK, Action! returns you to the Sound Edit dialog so you can specify the sound's duration.

Action! can play only one .WAV, one.MID, or one CD Audio sound at a time, but it can play .WAV, .MID, and CD Audio sounds with each other. For example. you can play one .WAV  and one CD Audio sound, but you cannot play two CD audio sounds at the same time.

You must have a sound card installed in your computer to play sounds in an Action! presentation.  To import CD audio, you must have a CD player connected to your computer.


New Object Movie Command

Creates a placeholder for an imported movie at the current time in the current scene or template.  Action! displays the movie placeholder in the presentation window and in the Timeline and Content List.  To import a movie, double-click the movie placeholder to display the Edit Object dialog box.  Click the grey content replacement button in the dialog box to open the Import dialog box.  Action! imports Macromedia Director movies that have first been converted on the Macintosh using the Gaffer in Macromedia Windows Player.

A movie plays on top of all other objects in the scene, regardless of its position in the Timeline.  You may need to reposition or crop the movie's playback area in order to see other objects in the scene.  You can reposition the movie by selecting it and dragging it.  To crop the movie's playback area, drag one of its selection handles.  You cannot cut, copy, paste, or duplicate a movie.


New Object Button Command

Creates a new button placeholder at the current time in the current scene, and displays the button placeholder in the Timeline and Content List.  Double-click the button placeholder to display the Edit Object dialog box so you can choose its attributes and assign a link.  Choosing this command is the same as using the link tool in the Tool Palette.


Group Command

Combines selected objects into a single object.  Grouped objects can be manipulated as a single object.  Grouped objects can be grouped again to form part of a larger group.  To change individual objects in a group, you must first ungroup them using the Ungroup command on the Object menu.

Because a grouped object occupies only one channel in the Timeline, grouping objects reduces the number of objects in the Timeline, and makes working in the Timeline more manageable.  Grouping objects is also useful for manipulating a complex drawing, to preserve the alignment of objects when you move them, and for editing the attributes of several objects at once.

You can assign attributes to a grouped object as if it were a single object.  The attributes of individual objects in the group are preserved (except for color, line style, and hold position) when you group them.


Ungroup Command

Breaks a grouped object into its individual objects, reversing the effect of the Group command.  If a grouped object consists of several grouped objects, you may have to choose this command more than once to separate individual objects.  Attributes you assigned to a grouped object are lost when you ungroup the object.  Each individual object in the group reverts to the attributes it had before it was grouped (except for color, line style, and hold position).


Explode Metafile Command

Separates a selected metafile into individual graphic objects that can be edited or animated.  You can paste a metafile into Action! from another Windows application, or import a metafile using Import... on the File menu.  Metafile images often consist of objects that you may want to manipulate using Action!.  When you choose this command, Action! separates the metafile into individual objects, with all of them selected.  Click in the presentation window to de-select the objects.  You can then select an individual object and double-click it to display the Edit Object dialog box so you can choose or change its attributes.  Objects in an exploded metafile can be modified like any other Action! objects.


Align Objects Command

Align Objects... Command

Aligns selected objects vertically, horizontally, or centered with respect to each other.  Before choosing this command, select the objects that you want to align.  Choosing this command displays a dialog box that lets you choose the alignment for the selected objects.

Based on the alignment option you choose in the dialog box, Action! uses one of the selected objects as the object to which the other objects align.  For example, if you have three objects selected and you choose one of the left alignment options, Action! aligns the objects to the left-most object in the selection.


Synchronize Objects... Command

When the Timeline is active, synchronizes the entrance times of selected objects. The top object in the Timeline enters first. Entrance times for subsequent objects are offset from the time of this object.

Start All Objects Together

Has all objects start at the same time.

Start Each Object When

Sets an object's enter time relative to the action of the previous object.

Stagger Objects By

Inserts additional time after the event specified in Start Object When and before the object enters.


Bring To Front Command

Moves selected objects to the frontmost layer in the current scene or template.  An object in the frontmost layer appears in front of all other objects that it overlaps.

If you choose this command for a template object, the object appears in front of any scene objects that it overlaps.  Bringing a template object to the frontmost layer is useful for objects like buttons or company logos that you never want to have appear behind other objects in a scene.

When you create an object, Action! assigns it to the frontmost layer.  To see the relationship between objects and their layers, open the Timeline.  Choosing the Bring To Front command is the same as dragging an object to the top layer in the Timeline.  Note that a movie object always appears in front of all other objects in the presentation window, regardless of its location in the Timeline.


Send To Back Command

Moves selected objects to the backmost layer in the current scene or template.  Objects in the backmost layer appear behind all other objects, just in front of the background.

When you create an object, Action! assigns it to the frontmost layer.  To see the relationship between objects and their layers, open the Timeline.  Choosing the Send To Back command is the same as dragging an object to the bottom layer in the Timeline.  Note that a movie object always appears in front of all other objects in the presentation window, regardless of its location in the Timeline.


Move Forward Command

Moves selected objects forward one layer in the current scene or template.  Choosing this command is the same as dragging selected objects up one layer in the Timeline.


Move Back Command

Moves selected objects back one layer in the current scene or template.  Choosing this command is the same as dragging selected objects down one layer in the Timeline.


Show/Hide Template Objects Command

Displays or hides all template objects in the current scene.  If you cut or delete a template object in the current scene, the Show Template Objects command causes the object to reappear in the scene.


Show/Hide Scene Objects Command

Displays or hides all scene objects in the current scene.


Promote To Scene Command

In scene view, converts one or more selected template objects into scene objects that you can edit in the current scene.  You must select the template objects in scene view before choosing this command.  This command does not alter the template in any way - it simply hides the template object in the scene after converting it to a scene object.  To see the original template object, choose Show Template Objects on the Object menu.  Use this command to make changes to a template object in the current scene without affecting the template.


Font Command

Applies the chosen font to selected text.  Your choice affects selected text as well as text to be typed.  The fonts that are available depend on the fonts that are installed under Windows.  You can add or remove fonts and printer drivers through the Windows Control Panel.


Size Command

Applies the chosen point size to selected text.  Your choice affects selected text as well as text to be typed.  The sizes that are available depend on the fonts that are installed under Windows.  You can add or remove fonts and printer drivers through the Windows Control Panel.

If you have installed a font manager such as Adobe Type Manager or TrueType (if your computer is using Windows 3.1), fonts can appear in whatever point size you choose. To specify a point size that isn't in the list, choose Other from the Size list and enter the exact point size you want in the dialog box.I


Style Command

Applies the chosen style to selected text.  Your choice affects selected text as well as text to be typed.


Alignment Command

Aligns selected text with the left or right edge of the text box, or centers the text within the text box.  Left alignment is the default.  Your choice affects selected text as well as text to be typed.


Border Command

Applies the chosen border thickness to the box that encloses selected text.  By default, the text border is set to "None."  Your choice affects selected text as well as text to be typed.


New Scene Command

Adds a new scene after the last scene, and makes it the current scene.  Action! assigns the new scene the same template as the scene you were in when you chose this command.  Action! assigns the new scene a default name which consists of the word "Scene" followed by a sequential number.  To change the scene's name, enter the new name in the Content List or use the Edit Scene... command on the Scene menu.


Insert Scene... Command

Inserts one or more new scenes into the presentation at the location you specify, and lets you choose a template to apply to the scenes.

Insert Scenes

Enter the number of new scenes you want to insert.

At Beginning

Inserts the new scenes before the first scene.

After Current Scene

Inserts the new scenes after the current scene.

At End

Inserts the new scenes after the last scene.

Template:

Lists the templates loaded with the current presentation.  Action! applies the chosen template to the new scenes.


Edit Scene... Command

Lets you choose or change the settings for the current scene.

Name:

Displays the name of the current scene.  To rename the scene, edit the text or delete it and type the new name.  It's important to name your scenes, since the default scene names (Scene 1, Scene 2, etc.) can be misleading if you rearrange the order of your scenes in the scene sorter.

Duration:

Displays the scene's entire duration, in minutes and seconds.  To change the duration, type the new time or drag the slider.

Scale %:

Displays the rate at which the scenes plays.  At 100%, the scene plays at the normal rate.  At 50% the scene plays in half the normal time, or twice as fast as normal.  At 200% the scene plays in twice the normal time, or twice as slow as normal.  To play the scene at a different rate, enter a new Scale factor.  Action! adjusts the Play Time to match the new rate.

Play Time:

Displays the length of time you want the scene to play.  Normally, the Play Time and Duration are the same.  However, if you want the scene to play within a specific amount of time, enter a new Play Time.  Action! automatically adjusts the play rate (Scale%) to match the Play Time you enter.

Palette:

Displays the name of the current palette and lists the palettes you can apply to the current scene.  If the scene's palette is different than the current template's palette, Action! uses the scene's palette.

Template:

Displays the name of the current template and lists the templates you can apply to the current scene.

IN Transition:

Displays the name of the current scene transition effect and lists the available transition effects. The IN Transition occurs before the scene time begins. If the scene's IN Transition is different from the current template's IN Transition (as specified using the Edit Template... command on the Scene menu) Action! uses the scene's IN Transition.  Note that if the current scene is the first scene, Action! ignores this setting, since you cannot have a transition effect before the first scene.  To see the IN Transition effect assigned to a scene, open the Scene Sorter.  Action! displays an icon between scenes to identify the scene's IN Transition effect.

IN Duration:

Displays the IN transition's duration in minutes and seconds. To change the IN duration, type the new time or drag the slider.

At End Of Scene:

Displays the name of the action that occurs at the end of the current scene, and lists the actions that you can apply.  Use Go to Scene if you want to go to another scene and then return from that scene to the current scene.  (The scene you go to must have a Return action specified for its "At End Of Scene" option.)  Use Skip to Scene if you want to change locations from the current scene to another scene.    To see the action assigned to the end of a scene, open the Scene Sorter.  Action! uses an icon between scenes to identify the scene's At End Of Scene setting.

Snap Duration to Last Object

When checked, sets the scene duration to the end of the last object in the scene. If the duration of objects in the scene changes, the scene duration changes by the same amount.

Scene:

Lists destination scenes you can specify if Go to Scene or Skip to Scene is chosen for the "At End Of Scene" option.


Edit Template... Command

Lets you choose or change template settings for the current template.  These settings apply to all scenes that use the current template.  To override any of the template settings for an individual scene, make it the current scene and choose Edit Scene... on the Scene menu.

Name:

Displays the name of the current template that is applied to the current scene.

Palette:

Displays the name of the template palette.  This palette is applied to all scenes that use the current template.  You can choose a different palette for an individual scene using Edit Scene... on the Scene menu.

IN Transition:

Displays the name of the current template IN Transition effect and lists the available transition effects.  The IN Transition occurs before the scene time begins, and determines how a template transitions into the presentation.  The transition effect takes 10 seconds between scenes to complete.  You can choose a different IN Transition for an individual scene using Edit Scene... on the Scene menu.


Set Background... Command

Lets you choose a background color, pattern, gradient, or graphic for the current scene or template.  To set a background for the scene, you must be in scene view when you choose this command.  To set a background for the template, you must be in Template view when you choose this command.  If the template and scene both have backgrounds, Action! uses the scene's background.  Action! does not display the background in the Timeline.  It is always the back-most layer.

None

Specifies no background for the current scene or template, and removes the current background.

Pattern

Displays the pattern sample and the foreground and background color chips, so you can choose a combination for the pattern.

Gradient

Displays a list of gradient styles and lets you choose a color combination using the foreground and background color chips.

Use Palette

When checked, gives a smoother gradient by creating a new palette that has 64 chips reserved for the gradient colors. To keep the gradient the same, you must continue to use the new gradient palette in the scene. If you want to assign colors to objects in the scene, check Use Palette first, and then assign colors from the new gradient palette.

Graphic

Click Load... to import a Windows bitmap graphic (.DIB or .BMP) file to use as the background.


Delete Unused Template Command

Delete Unused Template... Command

Deletes any templates that are not applied to scenes in the presentation.  Action! removes the unused templates from the presentation but does not delete the template files on disk.  Unused templates remain with the presentation until you choose this command.  If you create and replace templates frequently, use this command to free unused memory and enhance performance.

Click Delete to remove the template listed in the dialog box.  Click Delete All to remove all templates in the list.


Next Scene Command

Displays the next scene.  Choosing this command is the same as clicking the right scene arrow in the Control Panel.


Previous Scene Command

Displays the previous scene.  Choosing this command is the same as clicking the left scene arrow in the Control Panel.


Set Preview Command

Uses the image in the current scene at the current scene time for the image that appears in the scene sorter and in any dialog boxes that have a Preview button.  If there is a distinctive object in the scene, set the scene time so that it is visible and then choose this command.  If you want to use a preview image that shows all objects in the current scene, choose this command while displaying the scene in compressed view.


Scene List Command

Displays a list of all scenes in the current presentation, so you can move easily between scenes.  Choosing this command is the same as choosing the scene from the scene list in the Control Panel.


Gallery Command

Displays a gallery of formats that you can choose to plot a chart.

Type:

Lists the chart types you can choose from.

Plot

Plots data in  the chosen format.

To display chart formats, choose a type from the Type drop-down list. Icons representing formats for that chart type appear in the gallery.

To choose a chart format, click on the appropriate icon. A description of the format appears to the right of the Type box.

To change a chart format, click the icon for the format you want, and then click Plot.


Data Window Command

Lets you enter, edit, copy, or paste chart data and text. The Data Window also assigns roles such as data range, series names, category names, or axis subtitle text to specific cells. Use the chart items drop-down list, Set, and Show buttons to see or change a cell's role.

Chart items drop-down list

Lists possible roles for Data Window cells.

Set:

Assigns selected cells a specific role in the chart. To assign a role to cells, select the cells, and choose the new role from the chart items drop-down list. Then click Set.

Show:

Shows which cells have the role listed in the chart item box. For a data range, the selected cells are highlighted. For series names, category names, and axis titles, the appropriate cells are highlighted and the cell address and content are displayed. To see which cells have a specific role, choose the role you are interested in from the chart items drop-down list, then click Show.

Plot

Plots a chart from the contents of the Data Window. Action! uses only the data cells included in the data range to plot a chart.

You can set also set the data range by using the Plot button. To set the data range this way, select the cells you want in the range, then click Plot. The selected cells become the new data range.

To select cells, click an individual cell or drag across adjoining cells. You can also select an entire row or column by clicking the letter for the column or the number for the row.

To display a chart item, select the item from the chart item box. Then click Show.

To set the data range, select the cells you want to include in the data range, choose data range from the chart items drop-down list, and then click Set.

To edit data, select a cell, then edit the cell in the cell edit line. Select a new cell or press Return to enter the new data.


Data Motion... Command

Sets the enter, hold, and exit attributes for data series or categories. Use the additional menu to choose  whether to set attributes for series or categories. Use the drop-down list at the top of the dialog box to choose the series or categories you want to set attributes for.

Enter

Opens the enter dialog box.

Transition:

Lists the available enter transitions.

Motion:

Lists the available enter motions.

Duration:

Specifies how  long each series or category takes to enter.

Stagger Objects By:

Inserts the specified time between the entrance of each object in the group.

Start Enter When:

Sets the entrance time relative to an action of the previous series or category.

Delay:

Inserts the specified time between the event selected in the Start Enter When box and the start of the series.

Hold

Opens the hold dialog box.

Duration:

Specifies the length of time when all series or categories are holding together. If there is no time when all groups hold on the stage together, specifies the hold duration for individual series or categories.

Hold until chart ends:

Has the selected series or categories hold until the ends.

Pause When All Series Have Entered

When checked, sets a pause after all series or categories have entered.

Pause When Each Data Object Has Entered

When checked, sets a pause after each data object has entered.

Pause When Each Series Has Entered

When checked, sets a pause after each series or category has entered.

Exit

Opens the exit dialog box.

Transition:

Lists the available exit transitions.

Motion:

Lists the available exit motions.

Duration:

Specifies how  long each series or category takes to exit.

Stagger Objects By:

Inserts the specified time between the exit of each object in the series or category.

Start Exit When:

Sets the exit time relative to an action of the previous series or category.

Delay:

Inserts the specified time between the event selected in Start Exit When and when the series exits.


Chart Options... Command

Displays the Chart Options dialog box, which lets you specify many aspects of a chart's appearance. The dialog box  for pie charts is different than the dialog box  for bar, line, and area charts.

For bar, area, and line charts, the dialog box has these options:

Show Data Values:

When checked, displays data values on each data object.

Data Value Format:

If Show Data Values is checked, lists the available numerical formats.

Chart Orientation:

Specifies whether to plot the chart vertically or horizontally.

Data Layout:

Specifies how to display data within a category .

Stacked Data:

When checked, stacks data objects on top of each other. This is mostly useful for bar and area charts.

Absolute Data:

When checked, plots each data object from the X-axis. If data objects overlap in an area chart, smaller values are hidden if they are behind larger values. This is mostly useful for line charts and side-by-side bar charts.

As Percentages

When checked, shows each data item as a percentage of the total in each category. This is only available if Stacked Data is selected.

Marker Style

Specifies the style of data marker used in a line chart. Choose  the series you are assigning data markers to from the left box.  Choose the marker style to use for that series from the right box.

Show Shadows:

When checked, displays shadows behind data objects.

Show Legend:

When checked, displays the legend describing series names on the chart.

For pie charts, the dialog box has these options:

Show Data Values:

When checked, displays the data value for each pie slice.

Data Value Format:

If Show Data Values is checked, lists the formats for data value displays.

Show Data Labels:

When checked, displays the data label for each pie slice.

Inside

Places data values and data labels within the pie slice.

On the Edge

Places data values and data labels against the edge of the pie slice.

Outside

Places data values and data labels outside the pie slice, and connects the value to the slice with a leader.

Data Layout:

Data layout is not available for pie charts.

Marker Style

Marker Style is not available for pie charts.

Show Shadows:

When checked, displays shadows behind pie slices.

Show Legend:

When checked, displays a legend describing series names.


Axis Options... Command

Displays the Axis Options dialog box, which allows you to set many attributes of the X and Y axes on bar, line, and area charts.

Axis attributes drop-down list

Sets which axis to set attributes for.

Axis Value:

Specifies how the axis is labeled.

Show Axis Labels:

When checked, displays labels on the axis.

Data Format:

Lists the available formats for the axis labels.

Axis Scale:

Specifies whether the axis is linear or logarithmic.

Linear

Specifies a linear scale.

Logarithmic

Specifies a logarithmic scale.

Tick marks drop-down list

Sets whether to set attributes for major or minor tick marks. Major tick marks indicate larger intervals. Minor tick marks indicate smaller intervals between major tick marks.

Show Tick Marks

When checked, displays tick marks on the axis.

Inside

Places tick marks inside the chart.

Outside

Places tick marks outside the chart.

Crossing

Places tick marks across the axis.

Show Major Grid

When checked, displays a grid for the selected axis. You can display major grids only.

Show Axis Title

When checked, displays the axis title.


Perspective... Command

Displays the Perspective dialog box, which allows you to select a viewing angle and zoom factor  for 3D bar charts.

Gallery

Shows a gallery of icons that represent available chart viewing angles. Click  the icon that represents the perspective you want.

Show Left Wall

When checked, displays a left wall behind a 3D bar chart.

Show Right Wall

When checked, displays a right wall behind  a 3D bar chart.

Zoom:

Lists zoom options, which enlarge or shrink data objects in the chart.  Zoom In enlarges the data objects. Zoom out shrinks the data objects


Commands... Command

Displays the Action! command index, so you can get help on any Action! command.  Choosing this command is the same as pressing F1 from within Action! or clicking the Contents button in the Action! Help window.


Using Help... Command

Displays the introductory topic on how to access and use Windows Help.


About Action!... Command

Displays the Action! version number, copyright notice, and credits.


Text Object Attributes

For a selected text object, the Edit Object dialog box lists the following attributes:

Enter	Apply transition and motion effects as the text enters the scene, and specify the Enter duration.

Hold	Specify the Hold duration, and choose a light effect and duration.

Exit	Apply transition and motion effects as the text exits the scene, and specify the Exit duration.

Duration	Specify the text object's duration in the scene, and the start time.

Content	Choose or change font, size, style, alignment, and border.

Color	Choose fill color, alternate pattern color, border, pattern, and line style.

Ink and ShadowChoose ink and shadow effects for text objects.

Sound	Attach a sound to text, cue it for playback, and specify sound duration and loop options.

Link	Assign action, sound, and highlight to a text link.


Graphic Object Attributes

For a selected graphic object (drawn using the Action! Tool Palette or imported from another application), the Edit Object dialog box lists the following attributes:

Enter	Apply transition and motion effects as the object enters the scene, and specify the Enter duration.

Hold	Specify the Hold duration, and choose a light effect and duration.

Exit	Apply transition and motion effects as the object exits the scene, and specify the Exit duration.

Duration	Specify the object's duration in the scene, and the start time.

Content	Choose or change object type, origin, and extent.

Color	Choose fill color, alternate pattern color,border, pattern, and line style.

Ink and ShadowChoose ink and shadow effects for drawn objects.

Sound	Attach a sound to the object, cue it for playback, and specify sound duration and loop options.

Link	Assign action, sound, and highlight to an object link.


Movie Object Attributes

For a selected movie object, the Edit Object dialog box lists the following attributes:

Enter	Apply transition and motion effects as the movie enters the scene, and specify the Enter duration.

Hold	Specify the Hold duration, and choose a light effect and duration.

Exit	Apply transition and motion effects as the movie exits the scene, and specify the Exit duration.

Duration	Specify the movie's duration in the scene, and the start time.

Content	Choose or change object type, origin, and extent.

Link	Assign action, sound, and highlight to a movie link.

Movie Info	Specify how the movie plays in the scene.


Sound Object Attributes

For a selected sound object, the Edit Object dialog box lists the following attributes:

Sound	Specify sound duration and loop options.


Link Object Attributes

For a selected link object, the Edit Object dialog box lists the following attributes:

Enter	Apply transition and motion effects as the object enters the scene, and specify the Enter duration.

Hold	Specify the Hold duration, and choose a light effect and duration.

Exit	Apply transition and motion effects as the object exits the scene, and specify the Exit duration.

Duration	Specify the button's duration and start time in the scene.

Content	Choose a button shape.

Color	Choose button color, border, pattern, and line style.

Ink and ShadowChoose an ink and shadow effect.

Sound	Attach a sound to the object, cue it for playback, and specify sound duration and loop options.

Link	Assign action, sound, and highlight to a link object.


Return to Text Attributes

Text Enter Options	1 of 9

Transition:

Lists the transitions Action! can apply to the text as it enters the scene.

Motion:

Lists the motions Action! can apply to the text as it enters the scene.  Start/End or Path Editor let you define the text's motion as it enters the scene.  For a summary of the steps for using Start/End and Path Editor, see below.

Duration:

Specifies the length of the Enter phase, in seconds.  Action! adds the enter duration to the object's total duration.

To use Start/End,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Start/End from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the duration slider to specify the duration of the object's motion.

4.	Drag the object to its starting position.  A duplicate image of the object appears.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

5.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

6.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.

To use Path Editor,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its Hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Path Editor from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the object to the location where you want the motion to begin.  A duplicate image of the object appears at the new location.

4.	Drag the duration slider to set the duration of the first segment of the object's motion.

5.	Drag the duplicate image of the object to a new location.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

6.	Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until all segments of the path are defined.  Be sure that the last position of the duplicate object is directly on top of its Hold position.  Otherwise, the object will appear to hop to its Hold position, rather than moving smoothly.

7.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

8.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.


Return to Text Attributes

Text Hold Options	2 of 9

Duration:

Specifies the length of the Hold phase, in seconds.

Light Effect

Duration:

Lists the light effects Action! can apply to text.  The light effect starts at the beginning of the Hold phase, and continues for the specified duration.  Specify the light effect color using the color palette.


Return to Text Attributes

Text Exit Options	3 of 9

Transition:

Lists the transitions Action! can apply to the text as it leaves the scene.

Motion:

Lists the motions that Action! can apply to the text as it leaves the scene.  Start/End or Path Editor let you define the text's motion.  For a summary of steps for using Start/End and Path Editor, see below.

Duration:

Specifies the length of the Exit phase, in seconds.  Action! adds the Exit duration to the object's total duration.

To use Start/End,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Start/End from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the duration slider to specify the duration of the object's motion.

4.	Drag the object to its ending position.  A duplicate image of the object appears.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

5.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

6.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.

To use Path Editor,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Path Editor from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the duration slider to set the duration of the first segment of the object's motion.

4.	Drag the object to a new location.  A duplicate image of the object appears.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

5.	Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until all segments of the path are defined.

6.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

7.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.


Return to Text Attributes

Text Duration Options	4 of 9

Duration:

Specifies the total time the text appears in the scene.  Action! adds the Start, Hold, and Exit durations to determine the total duration.  If you increase this number, Action! increases the Hold duration.  If you decrease this number, Action! decreases the Hold duration.  If Action! must decrease the Hold duration to zero, then the Enter and Exit durations are shortened by equal amounts.

Start Time:

Specifies the start time offset, measured from the beginning of the scene, at which the text first appears in the scene.


Return to Text Attributes

Text Content Options	5 of 9

The options display the text attributes of the first character in the selected text block.

Font:

Lists the available fonts that are in your installed printer driver.

Size:

Lists the available point sizes.  If a size is not available, Action! uses the nearest available size.  If you have installed a font manager like Adobe Type Manager, Action! uses whatever point size you choose.

Alignment:

Lists the alignment options for text within its bounding box.

Style:

Lists the text styles.  You can choose any combination of bold, italic, and underline.

Border:

Lists the border thicknesses for the text bounding box.


Return to Text Attributes

Text Color Options	6 of 9

Foreground:

Displays the color chip, so you can choose text colors. Click the upper left corner and drag in the palette to choose a fill color. Click the lower right corner and drag in the palette to choose a second color for the pattern, if  any.

Background:

Displays the background color chip, so you can choose a color for the text's bounding box.

Pattern:

Not available for text.

Line Style:

Lists the line styles for the text's bounding box.


Return to Text Attributes

Text Ink and Shadow Options	7 of 9

Lists the ink and shadow effects that Action! can apply to text.  Experiment with different ink and shadow effects to find the one you want.  Some ink and shadow effects give different results when working in color rather than black and white, some effects work well with patterns, while others work better with solid colors.  Copy and White Transparent do not effect text.  Transparent makes the background of a pattern transparent, so that you can see objects underneath, and works best with patterns.  Reverse reverses overlapping colors, and works with patterns or solid colors.  Ghost makes text appear white.

When checked, Show Shadow includes a second image of the text behind and offset from the initial text. Click the color chip and drag to select a shadow color.


Return to Text Attributes

Text Sound Options	8 of 9

Sound name

Displays the file name of the sound that is attached to the selected text.  Click to display the Import dialog box to attach a different sound.

Loop

When checked, Action! repeats the sound until the end of the text's duration in the scene.  When not checked, the sound plays once.  Since digitized sounds require a lot of memory, using the loop option saves memory by letting you repeat a short sound instead of using a longer sound that requires more memory.

Duration:

Specifies the length of time that the sound plays.  If the sound's duration is longer than the scene's duration, Action! stops playing the sound at the end of the scene (unless Continue Into Next Scene is checked).

Cue

Cues the sound for playback during the phase you specify.

Delay

Specifies a delay, if you don't want the sound to start at the beginning of the specified phase.

Continue Into Next Scene

When checked, the sound continues playing into the next scene, acting as a transition to the next scene.  This setting does not actually lengthen the sound's duration.  You must set the sound's duration so that it is long enough to continue playing into the next scene.  When not checked, Action! stops playing the sound when the scene ends.  This feature lets you continue playing a sound while Action! loads the contents of the next scene.


Return to Text Attributes

Text Link Options	9 of 9

Action:

Displays the current action applied to the text object, and lists all the actions.  If you use a "Go to" option, you can include a "Return" option in the destination scene to return to the time and location where the "Go to" was issued.  Use a "Skip to" option if you don't want to return.

Destination

Available for Go to Link and Skip to Link actions only.

Scene:

Specifies the name of the destination scene.

Time:

Specifies an offset time from the beginning of the destination scene.

Sound:

Displays the current sound to play when the text link is used. You can play WAVE, MIDI, or CD audio when the text is clicked.

Highlight

When checked, highlights text link when used.


Return to Graphic Attributes

Graphic Enter Options	1 of 9

Transition:

Lists the transitions Action! can apply to the object as it enters the scene.

Motion:

Lists the motions Action! can apply to the object as it enters the scene.  Start/End or Path Editor let you define the object's motion.  For a summary of the steps for using Start/End and Path Editor, see below.

Duration:

Specifies the length of the Enter phase, in seconds.  Action! adds the Enter duration to the object's total duration.

To use Start/End,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its Hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Start/End from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the duration slider to specify the duration of the object's motion.

4.	Drag the object to its starting position.  A duplicate image of the object appears.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

5.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

6.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.

To use Path Editor,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its Hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Path Editor from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the object to the location where you want the motion to begin.  A duplicate image of the object appears at the new location.

4.	Drag the duration slider to set the duration of the first segment of the object's motion.

5.	Drag the duplicate image of the object to a new location.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

6.	Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until all segments of the path are defined.  Be sure that the last position of the duplicate object is directly on top of its Hold position.  Otherwise, the object will appear to hop to its Hold position, rather than moving smoothly.

7.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

8.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.


Return to Graphic Attributes

Graphic Hold Options	2 of 9

Duration:

Specifies the length of the Hold phase, in seconds.

Light Effect

Duration:

Lists the light effects Action! can apply to objects.  The light effect starts at the beginning of the Hold phase, and continues for the specified duration.  Specify the light effect color using the color palette.


Return to Graphic Attributes

Graphic Exit Options	3 of 9

Transition:

Lists the transitions Action! can apply to the object as it leaves the scene.

Motion:

Lists the motions that Action! can apply to the object as it leaves the scene.  Start/End or Path Editor let you define the object's motion.  For a summary of the steps for using Start/End and Path Editor, see below.

Duration:

Specifies the length of the Exit phase, in seconds.  Action! adds the Exit duration to the object's total duration.

To use Start/End,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its Hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Start/End from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the duration slider to specify the duration of the object's motion.

4.	Drag the object to its ending position.  A duplicate image of the object appears.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

5.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

6.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.

To use Path Editor,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its Hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Path Editor from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the duration slider to set the duration of the first segment of the object's motion.

4.	Drag the object to a new location.  A duplicate image of the object appears.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

5.	Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until all segments of the path are defined.

6.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

7.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.


Return to Graphic Attributes

Graphic Duration Options	4 of 9

Duration:

Specifies the total time the object appears in the scene.  Action! adds the Start, Hold, and Exit durations to determine the total duration.  If you increase this number, Action! increases the Hold duration.  If you decrease this number, Action! decreases the Hold duration.  If Action! must decrease the Hold duration to zero, then the Enter and Exit durations are shortened by equal amounts.

Start Time:

Specifies the start time offset, measured from the beginning of the scene, at which the object first appears in the scene.


Return to Graphic Attributes

Graphic Content Options	5 of 9

Type:

Displays the type or name of the selected object.  If you imported the object or created it using New Object Graphic on the Object menu, Action! displays a button you can click to open the Import dialog box.  This allows you to import a graphic object to replace the selected one.

Origin

Displays the x and y coordinates of the upper left corner of the object, relative to the upper left corner of the screen.

Extent:

Displays the x (width) and y (height) coordinates of the object's bounding box.


Return to Graphic Attributes

Graphic Color Options	6 of 9

Foreground:

Displays the fill and pattern color chip. Click the upper left corner and drag in the palette to choose a fill color. Click the lower left corner and drag in the palette to choose an alternate color for patterns.

Background:

Displays the background color chip, so you can choose a color for the object's border.

Pattern:

Displays the pattern sample, so you can choose a fill pattern.

Line Style:

Lists the line styles for the object's border.


Return to Graphic Attributes

Graphic Ink and Shadow Options	7 of 9

Lists the ink and shadow effects that Action! can apply to graphic objects.  You may have to experiment with different ink and shadow effects to find the one you want.  Some ink effects have a different effect when working in color rather than black and white, some effects work well with patterns, while others work better with solid colors.  Copy and White Transparent do not affect graphic objects.  Transparent makes the background of a pattern transparent, so that you can see objects underneath, and works best with patterns.  Reverse reverses overlapping colors, and works with patterns or solid colors.  Ghost makes objects appear white.

When checked, Show Shadow displays a shadow behind the graphic object. Click the color chip and drag in the palette to choose a shadow color.


Return to Graphic Attributes

Graphic Sound Options	8 of 9

Sound name

Displays the file name of the sound that is attached to the selected object.  Click to display the Import dialog box to attach a different sound.

Loop

When checked, Action! repeats the sound until the end of the object's duration in the scene.  When not checked, the sound plays once.  Since digitized sounds require a lot of memory, using the loop option saves memory by letting you repeat a short sound instead of using a longer sound that requires more memory.

Duration:

Specifies the length of time that the sound plays.  If the sound's duration is longer than the scenes' duration, Action! stops playing the sound at the end of the scene (unless Continue Into Next Scene is checked).

Cue

Cues the sound for playback during the phase you specify.

Delay

Specifies a delay, if you don't want the sound to start at the beginning of the specified phase.

Continue Into Next Scene

When checked, the sound continues playing into the next scene, acting as a transition to the next scene.  This setting does not actually lengthen the sound's duration.  You must set the sound's duration so that it is long enough to continue playing into the next scene.  When not checked, Action! stops playing the sound when the scene ends.  This feature lets you continue playing a sound while Action! loads the contents of the next scene.


Return to Graphic Attributes

Graphic Link Options	9 of 9

Action:

Displays the current action applied to the object, and lists all the actions.  If you use a "Go to" option, you can include a "Return" option in the destination scene to return to the time and location where the "Go to" was issued.  Use a "Skip to" option if you don't want to return.

Destination

Applies only for Go to Link and Skip to Link actions.

Scene:

Specifies the name of the destination scene.

Time:

Specifies an offset time from the beginning of the destination scene.

Sound:

Displays the current sound to play when the graphic link is used. You can play WAVE, MIDI, or CD audio when the graphic link is clicked.

Highlight

When checked, highlights the graphic link when used.


Return to Movie Attributes

Movie Enter Options	1 of 7

Transition:

Transitions are ignored for movie objects.

Motion:

Lists the motions Action! can apply to the movie as it enters the scene.  Start/End or Path Editor let you define the movie's motion.  For a summary of the steps for using Start/End and Path Editor, see below.

Duration:

Specifies the length of the Enter phase, in seconds.  Action! adds the Enter duration to the object's total duration.

To use Start/End,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its Hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Start/End from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the duration slider to specify the duration of the object's motion.

4.	Drag the object to its starting position.  A duplicate image of the object appears.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

5.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

6.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.

To use Path Editor,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its Hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Path Editor from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the object to the location where you want the motion to begin.  A duplicate image of the object appears at the new location.

4.	Drag the duration slider to set the duration of the first segment of the object's motion.

5.	Drag the duplicate image of the object to a new location.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

6.	Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until all segments of the path are defined.  Be sure that the last position of the duplicate object is directly on top of its Hold position.  Otherwise, the object will appear to hop to its Hold position, rather than moving smoothly.

7.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

8.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.


Return to Movie Attributes

Movie Hold Options	2 of 7

Duration:

Specifies the length of the Hold phase, in seconds.

Light Effect

Duration:

Lists the light effects Action! can apply to movies.  The light effect starts at the beginning of the Hold phase, and continues for the specified duration.  Specify the light effect color using the color palette.


Return to Movie Attributes

Movie Exit Options	3 of 7

Transition:

Transitions are ignored for movie objects.

Motion:

Lists the motions that Action! can apply to the movie as it leaves the scene.  Start/End or Path Editor let you define the movie's motion.  For a summary of the steps for using Start/End and Path Editor, see below.

Duration:

Specifies the length of the Exit phase, in seconds.  Action! adds the exit duration to the object's total duration.

To use Start/End,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its Hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Start/End from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the duration slider to specify the duration of the object's motion.

4.	Drag the object to its ending position.  A duplicate image of the object appears.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

5.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

6.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.

To use Path Editor,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its Hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Path Editor from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the duration slider to set the duration of the first segment of the object's motion.

4.	Drag the object to a new location.  A duplicate image of the object appears.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

5.	Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until all segments of the path are defined.

6.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

7.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.


Return to Movie Attributes

Movie Duration Options	4 of 7

Duration:

Specifies the total time the movie appears in the scene.  Action! adds the Start, Hold, and Exit durations to determine the total duration.  If you increase this number, Action! increases the Hold duration.  If you decrease this number, Action! decreases the Hold duration.  If Action! must decrease the Hold duration to zero, then the Enter and Exit durations are shortened by equal amounts.

Start Time:

Specifies the start time offset, measured from the beginning of the scene, at which the movie first appears in the scene.


Return to Movie Attributes

Movie Content Options	5 of 7

Displays the name of the movie object.  To replace the movie, click the button to open the Import dialog box.

Origin

Displays the x and y coordinates of the upper left corner of the movie, relative to the upper left corner of the screen.

Extent:

Displays the x (width) and y (height) coordinates of the movie's bounding box.


Return to Movie Attributes

Movie Link Options	6 of 7

Action:

Displays the current action applied to the movie, and lists all the actions.  If you use a "Go to" option, you can include a "Return" option in the destination scene to return to the time and location where the "Go to" was issued.  Use a "Skip to" option if you don't want to return.

Destination

Applies only for Go to Link and Skip to Link actions.

Scene:

Specifies the name of the destination scene.

Time:

Specifies an offset time from the beginning of the destination scene.

Sound:

Displays the current sound to play when the movie link is used. You can play WAVE, MIDI, or CD audio when the movie link is clicked.

Highlight

When checked, highlights the movie link when used.


Return to Movie Attributes

Movie Info Options	7 of 7

Movie tempo and length are determined when the movie was created in Macromedia Director.  Action! cannot control the movie's tempo.  You can shorten the movie's play time by shrinking it in the Timeline or by specifying a shorter duration.

Loop

When checked, Action! repeats the movie if it is shorter than the movie object's duration in the scene.  When not checked, the movie plays once.

Leave Last Frame

When checked, displays the movie's last frame until the end of the movie object's duration in the scene.  If the scene duration is shorter than the movie's duration, choosing this option uses the movie as a transition into the next scene.

Movie Sound

When checked, the movie plays with its original sound.  If you attached a sound using the Movie Sound option, Action! overrides it and plays the movie's original sound.


Return to Sound Attributes

Sound Options	1 of 1

Sound name

Displays the sound's file name.  Click to display the Import dialog box to import a different sound.

Loop

When checked, Action! repeats the sound until the end of the sound's duration in the scene.  When not checked, the sound plays once.  Since digitized sounds require a lot of memory, using the loop option saves memory by letting you repeat a short sound instead of using a longer sound that requires more memory.

Duration:

Specifies the length of time that the sound plays.  If the sound's duration is longer than the scenes' duration, Action! stops playing the sound at the end of the scene (unless Continue Into Next Scene is checked).

Delay:

Specifies a delay, measured from the scene's start time, if you don't want the sound to start at the beginning of the scene.

Continue Into Next Scene

When checked, the sound continues playing into the next scene, acting as a transition to the next scene.  This setting does not actually lengthen the sound's duration.  You must set the sound's duration so that it is long enough to continue playing into the next scene.  When not checked, Action! stops playing the sound (truncates it) when the scene ends.  This feature lets you continue playing a sound while Action! loads the contents of the next scene.


Return to Link Attributes

Link Enter Options	1 of 9

Transition:

Lists the transitions Action! can apply to the object as it enters the scene.

Motion:

Lists the motions Action! can apply to the object as it enters the scene.  Start/End or Path Editor let you define the object's motion.  For a summary of the steps for using Start/End and Path Editor, see below.

Duration:

Specifies the length of the Enter phase, in seconds.  Action! adds the Enter duration to the object's total duration.

To use Start/End,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its Hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Start/End from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the duration slider to specify the duration of the object's motion.

4.	Drag the object to its starting position.  A duplicate image of the object appears.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

5.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

6.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.

To use Path Editor,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its Hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Path Editor from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the object to the location where you want the motion to begin.  A duplicate image of the object appears at the new location.

4.	Drag the duration slider to set the duration of the first segment of the object's motion.

5.	Drag the duplicate image of the object to a new location.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

6.	Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until all segments of the path are defined.  Be sure that the last position of the duplicate object is directly on top of its Hold position.  Otherwise, the object will appear to hop to its Hold position, rather than moving smoothly.

7.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

8.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.


Return to Link Attributes

Link Hold Options	2 of 9

Duration:

Specifies the length of the Hold phase, in seconds.

Light Effect

Duration:

Lists the light effects Action! can apply to objects.  The light effect starts at the beginning of the Hold phase, and continues for the specified duration.  Specify the light effect color using the color palette.


Return to Link Attributes

Link Exit Options	3 of 9

Transition:

Lists the transitions Action! can apply to the object as it leaves the scene.

Motion:

Lists the motions that Action! can apply to the object as it leaves the scene.  Start/End or Path Editor let you define the object's motion.  For a summary of the steps for using Start/End and Path Editor, see below.

Duration:

Specifies the length of the Exit phase, in seconds.  Action! adds the Exit duration to the object's total duration.

To use Start/End,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its Hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Start/End from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the duration slider to specify the duration of the object's motion.

4.	Drag the object to its ending position.  A duplicate image of the object appears.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

5.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

6.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.

To use Path Editor,

1.	In scene or template view, place the object at its Hold position.

2.	In the Object Editor dialog box, choose Path Editor from the Motion drop-down list.  The view changes to allow you to specify the object's motion.

3.	Drag the duration slider to set the duration of the first segment of the object's motion.

4.	Drag the object to a new location.  A duplicate image of the object appears.  A connecting line indicates the direction of motion.

5.	Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until all segments of the path are defined.

6.	Click Done.  The Edit Object dialog box reappears.

7.	Click OK.  To review the object's motion, use the Control Panel to rewind and play the scene.


Return to Link Attributes

Link Duration Options	4 of 9

Duration:

Specifies the total time the button appears in the scene.

Start Time:

Specifies the start time offset, measured from the beginning of the scene, at which the button first appears in the scene.


Return to Link Attributes

Link Content Options	5 of 9

Style:

Displays the current button shape and lists all the shapes.


Return to Link Attributes

Link Color Options	6 of 9

Foreground:

Displays the foreground color chip. Click the upper left corner of the chip and drag in the palette to choose a fill color. Click the lower right corner and drag in the palette to choose an alternate color for patterns.

Background:

Displays the background color chip so you can choose a color for the button's border.

Pattern:

Displays the pattern sample, so you can choose a fill pattern.

Line Style:

Lists the line styles for the button's border.


Return to Link Attributes

Link Ink and Shadow Options	7 of 9

Lists the ink and shadow effects that Action! can apply to objects.  You may need to experiment with different ink and shadow effects to find the one you want.  Some ink effects have a different effect when working in color rather than black and white, some effects work well with patterns, while others work better with solid colors.  Copy and White Transparent do not affect graphic objects.  Transparent makes the background of a pattern transparent, so that you can see objects underneath, and works best with patterns.  Reverse reverses overlapping colors, and works with patterns or solid colors.  Ghost makes objects appear white.

When checked, Show  Shadow  displays a shadow behind the link object. Click the color chip and drag in the palette to choose a shadow color.


Return to Link Attributes

Link Sound Options	8 of 9

Sound name

Displays the file name of the sound that is attached to the selected object.  Click to display the Import dialog box to attach a different sound.

Loop

When checked, Action! repeats the sound until the end of the object's duration in the scene.  When not checked, the sound plays once.  Since digitized sounds require a lot of memory, using the loop option saves memory by letting you repeat a short sound instead of using a longer sound that requires more memory.

Duration:

Specifies the length of time that the sound plays.  If the sound's duration is longer than the scenes' duration, Action! stops playing the sound at the end of the scene (unless Continue Into Next Scene is checked).

Cue

Cues the sound for playback during the phase you specify.

Delay

Specifies a delay, if you don't want the sound to start at the beginning of the specified phase.

Continue Into Next Scene

When checked, the sound continues playing into the next scene, acting as a transition to the next scene.  This setting does not actually lengthen the sound's duration.  You must set the sound's duration so that it is long enough to continue playing into the next scene.  When not checked, Action! stops playing the sound when the scene ends.  This feature lets you continue playing a sound while Action! loads the contents of the next scene.


Return to Link Attributes

Link Options	9 of 9

Action:

Displays the current action applied to the button, and lists all the actions.  If you use a "Go to" option, you can include a "Return" option in the destination scene to return to the time and location where the "Go to" was issued.  Use a "Skip to" option if you don't want to return.

Destination

Applies only for Go to Link and Skip to Link actions.

Scene:

Specifies the name of the destination scene.

Time:

Specifies an offset time from the beginning of the destination scene.

Sound

Displays the current sound to play when the link is used. You can play WAVE, MIDI, or CD audio when the link object is clicked.

Highlight

When checked, highlights the link when used.


scroll bar

A bar that appears at the right and/or bottom edge of a window whose contents aren't completely visible.  Each scroll bar contains two scroll arrows and a scroll box which allow you to scroll within the window.


compressed view

Both scene and template objects are shown at their Hold positions.  Compressed view allows you to see all objects in the scene, without regard to their scene time.