General Design

I just want to start off by saying that I got flash 2 weeks ago and I have come

along way.  I have used the document class to create symbol instances, 
instainate them on the fly, add mouse events, dynamically create buttons based 
on the events, manipulated the symbol instances.  I am ready to develop my 
first application but if you guys dont mind I would like for you to fillin the 
missing peices for me.  For my first application i am going to create a simple 
flash game the screen flow of my game is as follows:

 1) Animated splash screen to introduce the game
 2) Game setting selection menu(play, settings, credit buttons)
 3) based on the Game settings selection I will Play the game
 4) based on the Game settings selection I will go to settings screen.
 5) based on the Game settings selection I will show some credits

 Questions:
 I know how to to each of those things individually in their own fla/swf file. 
Do i need to bring the 5 above fla files into 1 fla file, or do i need to 
create a 6th fla file to be a wrapper and import the above swf files?

 When viewing games that other people have written they have a status bar with 
a load time.  They have generally the same components that I do above, are they

loading all those movies.  Secondly How do they know how much data they are 
loading and where they are with loads?

 Lastly i want to create a library of all the graphics i have made..  Right now

all my graphics are in individual fla/swf files.  How do I import all my 
graphics from my individual fla/swf files into 1 library so that I can right 
linkage thing and make them instances.

 Sorry for all the words, but i am so close to being dangerous.  I have surfed 
alot, but its hard to find exactly what I am looking for.  Thanks in advance.

good for you - you're on your way :)

 I would recommend that you keep all of your game elements within a single swf 
file - this is best to call them to the timeline at need.  additionally, most 
game companies (if you plan on submitting your game) will 'prefer' that there 
be only a single swf file.

 sounds like you are referring to a 'preloader' bar - and there are many types,

you can actually make a perload indicator from any type of animation really.  
and the 'need' for this will depend on the 'size' of the end swf file.  'where 
to' and 'how to' do this is a matter of preference - there are several ways.  
many will include a looping type of code on the first two frames on a movie and

use the 'getBytesLoaded()' and 'getBytesTotal()' methods to determine a 
percentage of the file loaded - however this can become a problem when loading 
certain things like for instance 'class' files, or items in the Library that 
are set to 'export in first frame' which you will need to utilize when 
constructing a application as complex as a game.  Therefore a much better 
method of 'preloading' is to have a 'wrapper' (as you'd mentioned) swf file or 
'master' loading swf - and then use the MovieClipLoader class to load the swf 
file of the game.  the MovieClipLoader class has several handlers which make 
loading easy to monitor, control and initiate methods with in the loaded file 
when loading is complete.  however - it does sound as though you are using CS3 
- and therefore you may be coding in AS3 which has a 'new' and different system

of handling loaded assets.  but it is also likely that your splash screen may 
be sufficient, and the size of your file should be kept as small as possible 
anyway.

 importing graphics - if you have your 'new' master game doc open - you can use

the File>>Import>>Open external library command to open the library
of another 
fla file - then just simply click and drag the symbol from the 'other' file lib

- to the one your working on.

 just a few thoughts for you to work with.

actually no - scenes and programming are bad, bad ,bad ... lol!  there are 
reasons - and scenes are really meant to assist animators in producing longs 
straight line animations - but but when it comes to scripting, they are
trouble.

 there are several other ways to 'containerize' your elements however, and if 
you're getting into producing games, i would recommend that you use MC 
(movieclips) and become fluent in attachMovie() and removeMovieClip() methods. 

using these you can bring an item to the stage at need, position it and then 
remove it from the stage when called for.

 one can also do this using the timeline and frame labels, and on a button 
press navigate to a frame label using the gotoAndPlay or gotoAndStop methods.  
sometimes this is best depending on the situation - like for instance if you 
have several instruction screens that the user progresses through, or a series 
of character speaking (text) sequences durring a transition between levels or 
something.  however as a general rule when constructing a gameloop you should 
use mostly script, and have very little timeline elements, to retain complete 
control of the system and game events.

 another method would be to have your 'screens' set on different layers within 
the main timeline first frame - all of then as MCs (with instance names, 
always) and 'toggle' the needed screens _visible property.  in this way 
everything kind of 'exists' right there and all you need to do is 'show' the 
correct screen.  but this also will depend entirely on the type of game you are

making.