Flash: from frame properties to instance properties without losing selection
In Flash, selecting a keyframe in the timeline will also select the stage object (graphic, movieclip, etc.) involved in the keyframe. When I am animating an identical transition of a large number of objects at the same time — such as setting the alpha to 0 to fade-out a set of objects — I will select all of the keyframes involved in the edit. This will automatically select the instances of the objects in the transition.
The only problem is that the Properties panel is sensitive to the type of object that is selected. This sensitivity is normally a very good thing, but in this case it means that the panel still shows the Frame properties, not the instance properties that would allow me to edit the alpha. In order to show the instance properties, I have to click on the stage. Unfortunately, this can unselect everything that I just selected! Traditionally, I get around this by shift-clicking one of the selected objects. This will toggle the selection for just that object, which I can shift-click again to reselect. Now the instance properties are available, and the edit can be made.
There is a better way! I just accidentally discovered a handy way of switching from the frame properties to the instance properties without losing the selection! After selecting the keyframes in the timeline, hit “v” to re-enable the selection tool (or “q” to use the transform tool), and now the Properties panel show the instance properties! The selection is intact.