Introduction to Flash MX Tutorial > Define properties for a new document and create a gradient background > Define document properties |  |

Define document properties

Configuring document properties is a common first step in authoring. You can use the Property inspector and Document Properties dialog box to specify settings that affect the entire movie, such as the frames per second (fps) playback rate, and the Stage size and background color.

1 | If the Property inspector isn't open, choose Window > Properties. In the Property inspector, verify that 12 is the number in the Frame Rate text box.
| The movie will play at 12 frames per second, an optimal frame rate for playing animations on the Web.
| Note: If the Property inspector is not fully expanded, click the white triangle in the lower right corner.
2 | The Background Color box indicates the color of the Stage. Click the down arrow on the Background Color box, then move the Eyedropper tool over the color swatches to view their hexadecimal values in the Hexadecimal text box.
3 | Find and click the gray color swatch with the hexadecimal value of 999999.
4 | To resize the Stage, click the Size button, which indicates the size of the Stage. In the Document Properties dialog box, type 640 px in the first Dimensions text box and 290 px in the second Dimensions text box. Verify that Pixels is selected in the pop-up menu, and click OK.
| The Stage dimensions change to reflect the new settings of 640 x 290 pixels.