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I've instantiated my movie clips and set visible to false. I even set up the linkage properties, assigned variables, and set alpha to 0, but I can still see them. they are on the stage in frame 1 but I want them invisible until told otherwise.

Overall, instead of using the timeline to fade movie clips in and out at certain intervals I'd e like to transition that task to AS 3.0 How do I accomplish this? Thanks for your help.

Edited by Reliable because: incomplete
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Dani AI

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Nice catch, — PSD import quirks are a common source of "mystery" artwork showing up on stage even when runtime code is trying to hide or control clips. Below are practical tips to avoid the trap and a small, safe AS3 pattern to fade clips only when you want them visible.

Keep authoring and runtime separate

  • Import Photoshop layers so transparency and distinct layers are preserved (import to the library or as separate symbols), or export those parts as separate bitmaps/movieclips you instantiate at runtime. If a composed/flattened bitmap ends up on the stage during authoring, it will be visible before your code runs.
  • If you must lay things out visually in frame 1, keep dynamic artwork on later frames or in a separate layer that is blank on frame 1. Another option is to export symbols and addChild() instances from code so nothing exists on stage until added.

Simple, reliable fade pattern (AS3)

  • Use a tiny enter-frame tween to interpolate alpha and set visible only when appropriate. Also turn off mouse interactions when invisible so invisible clips do not block clicks.
  • Consider a tween library (GreenSock) if you want cleaner, maintenance-friendly calls.

Troubleshooting checklist

  • Verify you are addressing the correct instance (duplicate names on different frames are easy to miss).
  • If things still show, inspect the imported asset in the library to confirm it is not a flattened bitmap that merged layers.
  • Watch for timeline scripts that re-show things; calling stop() on frame 1 or running initialization from a document class constructor ensures your first paint respects your visibility setup.

These steps preserve a visual workflow while keeping runtime control in AS3, avoiding surprises caused by how Flash imports and stages artwork.

Member Avatar for Reliable

Never mind. Solved my own problem. I was importing the PSD incorrectly.

I had a gradient layer that went from blue to transparent and was under text but over the other pictures. When I imported I was importing the gradient layer as a flattened image which merged it with the other pictures underneath. I need to import it as a bitmap with editable layer styles.

I'm using Flash CS4, by the way...for those who may run across the same or a similar problem.

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