Bitmap text: experiment with this option if you find that smaller size fonts in your flash movie appear too blurry to read. Bitmap text has sharp edges as opposed to the fuzzy edges created by anti-aliased-type options that sometimes make smaller font sizes harder to read. You can also use this option to deliberately create a font that appears jaggy and computerized. This option does result in a larger file size because font descriptions are embedded in the SWF file. Anti-alias for animation: use this option for text in motion. It will produce text that blends well with the background of the animation resulting in a smooth play. This option results in a larger file size because font descriptions are embedded in the SWF file.
Anti alias for readability: use this option for exceptionally readable text. This option results in a file size larger than any other rendering option because font descriptions and additional font information are embedded in the SWF file. Custom anti alias: use this option if you need readable text but you want to tweak the settings. The default custom setting is based on the anti alias for readability settings. From here, you can manipulate the settings to complement obscure fonts or special characters. This option results in a large file size similar to the anti alias for readability option since it also embeds font descriptions and additional information. When you select custom anti alias, a dialog box appears. Here you can customize the thickness and sharpness dynamically. Aliased text is bitmapped text. It appears as if the edges are jagged. Text that is anti aliased on the other hand, appears smooth because the edges of the text subtly blend in with the pixels of the background.
Theoretically, small anti aliased text may appear blurry because of this blending of pixels. In some cases, aliased text may appear crisper than anti aliased text. Since different designs can produce different outcomes, experiments with these settings to find the correct balance of readability and quality for your project. Sans serif fonts such as veranda, Arial, and Helvetica are more readable at smaller sizes than serif fonts such as times roman or Garamond. Devices fonts are fonts not embedded in the flash player file you publish. If you design your flash movie with device fonts, when an SWF file is played on a viewers computer, the default serif font and Sana serif font in that computers system will appear in place of the device fonts. To use device fonts, check the use device fonts in the font rendering method pop up menu in the properties inspector. A sans serif font will default to a font that looks like Arial, Helvetica, or verdana. A serif font will default to a font that looks like times roman. A typewriter font will default to a font that looks like courier. You can also assign devices fonts from the font list will default to a font that the device fonts are listed as sans, serif, and typewriter.