TechNote (Archived)

Filter effects applied to invisible buttons do not function properly

Issue

Developers might add a Filter effect to invisible buttons (buttons that only have content in the Hit keyframe) in Macromedia Flash. An invisible button with Filter effects applied to it can still receive keyDown events and show up in the Debugger panel. However, the button will not function properly.

For example, the hand cursor will not show up on the button once the movie is compiled and viewed in the Flash player, and the button will not receive mouse events.

Reason

Filter effects are not supported on invisible buttons (no visible states) and may cause problems. (Ref: 131130)

Solution

Adding filter effects to invisible buttons is not an intended workflow with filters. The filter effects (Drop shadow, Blur, Bevel, etc.) will not display on an invisible button, so do not add a filter effect on an invisible button expecting it to work properly.

Create a Movie Clip in a layer below the button that is the size of the invisible button, and apply the filter effect on the Movie Clip. This workaround should allow the invisible button to function properly.