Beginner Question re: SWF files and FLA files

Question

Hi,
Im new to flash. I have some templates (in FLA format with all supporting files...xml; html; and the swf file). When using html templates, I can modify the content easily by simply adding or changing the text <p>original text</p> to <p>steve custom text</p> and so on.
My issue is Im trying to modify the content of the fla files into a new swf file but do not know how to access the text, background or images the tempalte is currently producing. The timeline at the bottom doesnt show objects and their timelines like the basic tutorials show me.
Is there a way to access the content of of an fla file or perhaps the content of an swf file? I think the swf file is like a jpeg coverted from RAW, meaning its the end product and the source file is where the modify is done.
Am I swimming in the deep with sharks?
Thanks!

Answer 1

hmm..so if the template ive downloaded depicts a green ball bouncing across an orange  background(swf file). The objects (green ball) and the background (simply overlay colored orange) is embedded into the FLA AS3 code?
not necessarily.  they could be created with code, they could be created with the tools in the fla and they could be loaded bitmaps.
To be clear these objects (in my example: ball and background) are not external jpegs (or similar file type like png) which I can open, edit, then allow the code to access and utilize the new object. For example, change the ball into a square and changes it color to purple and then change the background to pink via PS or illstr.
In short, Im having trouble trying to find the objects which are being manipulated by the code. My current perspective with templates is to modify the image or text by accessing the files delivered with the template. If the .html commands to place image221.jpeg in certain div, I would just open the images files, find image221.jpeg, modifiy the image and then save it as image221.jpeg. Of course I can create a new image save it as steve123.jpeg, save it to the images folder and then modify the code to access the new file by using its new name.
This is what Im trying to accomplish with my flash template but cant find the source objects .
Im getting the impression this cant be done.
that's almost certainly incorrect.
My final question is then, where are source images or text or movie files stored?
noone can say without direct inspection.
Is it possible they are on third party servers on the web?
no
Are they imbedded in the code?
maybe yes, maybe no.
I can only assume if they are stored on my drives (in an external format) that I would be able to access them.
correct.  more specifically, they would have to be in the directory with your embedding html and swf or a subdirectory.
If however, they are on a a third part web site or embedded into the code, then I may be in way over my head.
you can assume this is not the case.
so, open the fla in flash.  click control/test.  click view and make sure bandwidth profiler and streaming graph are checked.  you should then be able to see the main timeline as the swf plays.  note the main timeline frame where you see the object(s) you want to edit. 
close the test environment and go to that main timeline frame and start sleuthing to see if the objects were created in flash.  you can also click on the first object in the library and arrow down looking for the object(s) you want to edit to see if they were created without code.  if you find them, note their library name and possibly linkage id or class.  use movie explorer to search for those names.
but, to be sure, it can be very difficult to edit templates.  i've not seen one yet that was made by a competent developer and i've worked on dozens of them.