Default _sans sizing

I've got a query about the _sans default when using the text tool in MX. When I use this tool to create text on the stage everything is fine - I've got pixel snapping switched on and the text is sitting nicely on exact pixels rather than decimals. However when I export a .swf from the .fla the text inevitably takes up more space than it does in the .fla.

Anybody got any idea why this happens and if I can remedy it at all? I like using the _sans default because it keeps the text nice, crisp and legible. I'm not adverse to using named fonts but at smaller sizes they do tend to blur, even if they're on the pixel as well. I use special bitmap fonts as well but these generally work for 8 pt/px text, the problem area I have is 10 - 12 pt/px, where named fonts tend to blur and bitmap fonts aren't big enough.

Any ideas/thoughts? . . .

I'm guessing possibly 2 things

The browser is set for another font size
At which time the font picks up the characteristics
set by the browser.

Or Cross standards.
Arial is the standard for sans fonts in pc machines
I don't know what is for Mac (hectiva I think)
If you have a different default sans serif on your
hard drive the span/sizing may be affecting the appearance
Also if the sans font is not identical.

Check your transform settings for the font. You may be
able to better control the dimensions via that.

Also watch out for scaling of fonts. Device fonts are
not intended to be scaled.

Frets

So is using the _sans and _serif option in the fonts drop-down the same as opting to use device fonts (through the check box in the properties inspector)? . . .

yep

otherwise they are embedded fonts

Fair warning embedded fonts have aliasing
issues. at lower pt sizes.

Best to go with pixel fonts if under 16pt

Frets

I've picked up pixel fonts from FFF & MINML but they always seem to use 6 or 8 pt as their default.

Do you know anywhere which provides pixel fonts with 10 or 12 pt as their default size? . . .

Arial 11 for flash makes a good read.
http://frets-files.com/html/modules/...ile.php?lid=21

Pixel fonts work best at multiples of the pt size though
can break up a bit much

ergo 4 might work well at 8pt it will still be crisp at 12
but the pixels will show thru.

Here is my list of good font sites.
http://frets-files.com/html/modules/...wcat.php?cid=1

Frets

Yep - For legibility & neatness I like to keep them at their default pt size rather than multiplying them up.

Thx for the the links, I'm going to take a look at Arial 11 now . . .

You seem confused regarding the size of pixel fonts. The fact that you need to set the fonts at 8 pixels doesn't mean that they are actually 8 pixels, in fact they can be 30 pixels or 4 pixels, and they all still need to be set at 8 pixels.

Does this make sense now? I hope so... :)

they need to be set at 8 POINTS, which, as FFF pointed out, has nothing to do with the height in pixels