Types of text and text boxes

In “Flash” we have three types of text.
We have “Static text“, “Dynamic text” and “Input Text“.

We use “Static text” when the text in a text box is fixed, in other words, when it should not be changed through “ActionScript”.
“Dynamic text” is just the opposite. We use “Dynamic text” when the text enbales change through “Action Script”.For example, in a game that keeps track of the score.

And the third type is the text in Flash is “Input Text“. We use “Input text” when a user needs to enter in a text area, for example in forms or surveys.

All these types of text are placed in text boxes.

When we enter static text, we can see the text on one line which gets longer while we type. In other words, with a variable width.
Or you can text fix the width and height of the text box.

In this case the field,is extended, and the words automatically gets entered in the next line.

“Flash” displays a handle on the corner of a text field that indicates the type of text.

So you have a circle in the upper right corner for a text box with a variable width, and a square for a text box with a fixed width.

If you wish to have a text with variable width, or a text field to a fixed width, click and drag the circle to the right of the text field until the desired width.

The same is true for dynamic text and input text, you can also place this text on a single line or in a text field with a fixed width and height.

Again, the type of text is displayed by a handle at the corner of a text field.
The only difference with the static text field is that it is intervened in the lower right corner.

To add a floating text box, click once on the “Stage” where you want the text.
To add a text field with a fixed width and / or fixed height, click and drag the mouse pointer across the “Stage”, until you’ve reached the right size.

In both cases, first select the “Text” tool in the tool bar, but you know this well I think.

 

Text Properties

When we text, or rather select a text box on “Stage”, we have quite a few properties we can set.

Let me digress here a little further on.
At the top of the properties (1) we determine the “Type” of text.
Clicking on the downward pointing arrow gives us a drop-down menu with the different types of text.

In the section entitled “Position and Size” (2) in the upper part, we determine the x and the y-position of the text box.
Enter the zero value here for both boxes, then the text will be placed entirely in the upper left of the “Stage”.
Enter your x-value. For example, 100 in x-value and 50 as a y-value, then the text box extends 100 pixels to the right and 50 pixels to the height.

In other words, the x-value determines the horizontal axis, the y-value the vertical axis.

In the lower part of this section, we have three options.
One for the width (W) and one for the height (H) of the text area, with its left button to lock those two options.
This lock is a toggle button, in other words, when the subjects are unlocked and you click this button, you lock these boxes, when the boxes are locked and you click this button then you’ll unlock these subjects.

In the section “Character” (3) we determine the font, style, size, color, spacing, all of us have known I think, and the “Anti-aliasing”.

With the “Anti-aliasing” option, we determine how smooth the transition between text and background is to be displayed. (More about this below).

Among the “Anti-aliasing” option we have five buttons.

When you click the first, visitors can, or rather the users of your movie can select the text in the text box, for example, then to copy it.

The second button is only available with “Dynamic text” or “Input text”, and whether or not you render text in HTML, then what we use when we start coding in “ActionScript”.

The third button, which is also only available with “Dynamic text” or “Input text”, place a border around the text box.

The next two buttons control your “Superscript” and “Subscript” on or off.

In the “Paragraph” (4) section, we determine the “Format” of the text, align left, right, center, etc., I’m guessing you know all of these options.

Below we have two boxes for the “Distance”.

The first relates to the “Indentation” of text, the second is “Line spacing”.

Below we have two boxes for the “Margins”.

The first determines the left margin, the second the right margin.

Then we have the “behavior”.

This has three options.

1. Single Line: what it does, seems clear to me.
2. Multiline: This option will automatically create a new line when you’re at the end of text entered.
3. Multiline no wrap: If you choose this option, you will press down the Enter key on your keyboard on your own to start a new line.

Then we have the “Orientation” box where we have the option dispalying text horizontally or vertically. Seems obvious.

Finally, we have the “Options” section .
They depend on the type of text.
For example, with the static text options “Connect” and “Target”.
In the box “link:” you can specify the Internet address to which you want to create a link.
In the box “target:” click the option where you want the link open.
“_blank” is in a new window.
“_parent” is in the same window.
“_self” and “_top” be chosen when you use frames in your Web page.
To add a link to text of course you first select the text.

“Anti-aliasing” options

1. “Device Fonts”
   To use fonts on the local computer to display the letters in the text box. When you use this option, it is advisable to select only common fonts.
2. “Bitmap” (no “anti-alias”)
   Turns “Anti-aliasing” and thus makes the text convoluted. This font is best used in a maximum size of 6 points.
3. “Anti-alias for animation ”
   Creates a smoother animation by ignoring information about alignment and kerning. For readability you need a font size of at least 10 points, when you select this option.
4. ‘Anti-alias for readability ”
   When using this option, you must publish to “Flash Player” 8 or higher.
   Use this option if you want to animate text, use instead “Anti-alias for animation”.
5. “Custom Anti-Alias ”
   This allows us to set the properties of the font.
   With Sharpness, set the smoothness of the transition between the text edges and background.
   With thickness, specify how thick the transition for antialiasing the font looks like.
   The higher the values, the thicker the characters.
   When using this option, you must publish to “Flash Player” 8 or higher.

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