Creating a symbol

Each of the navigational labels will get the indicator positioned in front of it. We will convert our triangle into a symbol. A symbol is stored in the document's library. The advantages of having recurring elements defined as symbols are:

• one central copy of the symbol
• the symbol is edited in its own window
• all instances (copies) of the symbol change when the symbol is edited

In order to convert the triangle to a symbol it needs to be selected. Use the solid black pointer tool to select the triangle. To convert a selected object to a symbol choose Insert > Convert to Symbol or press simply the F8 key.

Enter a name for the symbol, I called it "Indicator". It will be a graphic symbol, the only kind of symbol we will use during this tutorial.

You can now inspect your new symbol in the library panel. In this panel you will find all the symbols for the current Fireworks document. Symbols can be exchanged between documents if you open them at the same time and drag and drop the symbol. Copies of a symbol are referred to as instances. You create an instance by duplication another instance or dragging they symbol from the library panel.

When placed on the canvas and selected a symbol has a link handle that shows that it is an instance of a symbol. When you double-click an instance the symbol will be opened for editing in its own window.

Let's create an instance for every label in the navigational system. The quickest way is to select the first instance, click on it and duplicate it through the ALT key technique we learned earlier. Remember also that when you press the SHIFT key you can constrain the movement of the duplicate to either horizontal or vertical.