Flash CS3 Documentation

Learning ActionScript 2.0 in Adobe Flash > Working with Text and Strings > About font rendering and anti-alias text > Font rendering options in Flash

Font rendering options in Flash

Five different font rendering options are available in Flash. To select an option, select the text field and open the Property inspector. Select an option from the Font rendering method pop-up menu.

Device Fonts  Produces a smaller SWF file size. The option renders using fonts that are currently installed on the end user's computer.

Bitmap Text (no anti-alias) Produces sharp text edges, without advanced anti-aliasing. This option produces a larger SWF file size, because font outlines are included in the SWF file.

Anti-Alias for Animation Produces anti-alias text that animates smoothly. The text also animates faster in some situations, because alignment and anti-alias are not applied while the text animates. You do not see a performance improvement when you use big fonts with lots of letters, or scaled fonts. This option produces a larger SWF file size, because font outlines are included in the SWF file.

Anti-Alias for Readability The advanced anti-aliasing engine is used for this option. This option offers the highest-quality text, with the most legible text. This option produces the largest SWF file size, because it includes font outlines, and also special advanced anti-aliasing information.

Custom Anti-Alias The same as Anti-Alias for Readability, but you can visually manipulate the advanced anti-aliasing parameters to produce a specific appearance. This option is useful to produce the best possible appearance for new or uncommon fonts.

For an example of how to use anti-alias with ActionScript, see Setting anti-alias with ActionScript.

Flash CS3