@jkell

thanks for your reply.
Yes this is AS2 as I understand it AS3 deals with classes so it probably would be too complex for me at this time.

Yes there are 2 red2 names in the array this is an error.

I've attached the fla file perhaps it will be a bit more clearer.
What I am trying to do is allow for 6 objects to pass through the visible screen at one time (alpha = 100) while the remainder are invisible.

loops makes sense because I am trying to control the objects in the array.

for (i=0; i<balloons.length;i++){
balloons[i]._alpha = 0;
}

what does the "i" mean in this code?

The fla file was too big (10mb) to attach so I am including it here
www.sanamionline.net/images/finished_file.fla (CS6)

Regards.