I was trying to open up a .SWF file because I am trying to learn about Flash programs, or "movies" , except I find I learn best by looking at an already done project. (i am the same way with Math too, which really sucks), but anyways, I was trying to open up this .SWF file in Flash MX and it said "Cannot open protected movies" so my guess is whoever made this didn't want anyone to look at his/her work. I would like to know if there is a way to open these protected movies. btw, if this is not legal (i doubt it, but just incase), my appoligies, i didn't know...I am just trying to learn how these things work. Some of you out there might understand the need to rip something apart and put it back together, and when you are done, you know how it works.

Well, the protection is there for a reason, so that you don't claim another developer's work as your own. But as long as you didn't agree to any license agreement, you are free to reverse-engineer the file if you want, as long as you don't try to pass it off as yours (that's copyright infringement). Anyway, that being said, you can check this utility out: http://www.buraks.com/asv/index.html although it won't do miracles for a newbie. I know how you feel, people just don't post their .fla files to help new developers out.

Thanks for the help! Too bad the program is only shareware unless you buy it, but so far I have learned so much already, considering i knew NOTHING about Flash files. I thought they were like an interactive animated GIF, but d*** was I wrong! It is more like a programming language. As for releasing something that wasn't mine, I would never do that unless I had the permission from the developer, and I have no need to do so. I am in it for the knowledge and that is all.