Introduction to Flash MX Tutorial > Create and mask vector art > Add a layer |  |

Add a layer

Rather than create the shapes on the Background layer, you'll add a new layer on which you can draw the shapes.

1 | To add a new layer, choose Insert > Layer, or click the Insert Layer button. Name the new layer Shapes.
2 | In the toolbox, select the Oval tool.
3 | In the Property inspector, select Hairline from the Stroke Style pop-up menu. Click the Stroke Color control. In the color palette, select the gray with a hexadecimal value of 999999.
| Remember, you can either enter the hexadecimal value in the hexadecimal text box, or find and click the color swatch with the same hexadecimal value.
4 | If the Color Mixer isn't open, choose Window > Color Mixer. In the Fill Style pop-up menu, select Solid. Click the Fill Color control to select it. In the R (red) field, type 109. In the G (green) and B (blue) text boxes, type 45, then press Enter or Return.
| You are specifying the values for the amount of red, green, and blue within a color.
5 | In the Timeline, verify that the Shapes layer is selected. On the Stage, constrain the oval to a circle by pressing Shift as you drag, to draw a circle that extends from the canvas area above the Stage to the canvas below the Stage.
| Note: If you make a mistake, choose Edit > Undo and try again.
6 | Select the Arrow tool in the toolbox, then double-click the circle on the Stage to select both the fill and the stroke.
7 | If the Transform panel isn't open, choose Window > Transform.
8 | To expand the Transform panel, click the white arrow in the upper left corner. Select Skew and type 20.0 in the Skew Horizontally text box, then press Enter or Return.
| The circle that you drew changes into a skewed oval.