TechNote

Adobe Flash 8 text rendering blurry with vector-based pixel font emulations

Issue

Text created using vector-based pixel font emulations (sometimes referred to as "pixel fonts") looks blurry when published using Adobe Flash 8. This text is notably blurrier than in previous versions of Adobe Flash.

Reason

Vector-based pixel font emulations are fonts designed to look like pixels, although they are actually created with vectors. They are specifically designed to remain aliased when viewed with Adobe Flash Player. Aliased fonts improve legibility by having increased contrast, especially at small sizes. Pixel font emulations are usually designed to look best when placed on an even pixel in Adobe Flash.

However, the new Adobe Flash 8 FlashType text rendering engine can render pixel fonts blurry.

Solution

To display pixel fonts at their best quality in Adobe Flash 8, adjust a text block using the font to not use the Adobe Flash 8 FlashType text rendering engine. To do so, select each text block and choose "Bitmap text (no anti-alias)" in the Properties Inspector's Font Rendering Method pop-up menu.

Watch the demonstration below for the steps to disable the Start Page.