Introduction to Flash MX Tutorial > Tween bitmap effects within a movie clip > Create a movie clip symbol |  |

Create a movie clip symbol

In the finished file, three views of the electric car fade in and out in the opening scene. This effect is achieved by creating a movie clip symbol that has a Timeline independent of the main Timeline. Next, you tween the alpha transparency between three views of the car to create a fade in/fade out effect. To begin to create the effect, you'll create the movie clip.

1 | With the Images layer still selected in the Timeline, drag the view1.png object from the Library panel to the Stage, placing the car within the area where the gradient background is lightest.
2 | Choose Insert > Convert to Symbol, or press F8.
3 | In the Convert to Symbol dialog box, name the symbol Car Animation. Verify that Movie Clip is selected and that the center square is selected in the Registration indicator, and click OK.
| Bitmaps, like other Flash objects, have registration points used for positioning and transformation. When you align the three views of the car within the movie clip, all three views should align relative to a center registration point.