Chapter 21 - TextStream Builder

The TextStream Builder is a text editor that has additional features which allow for the easy creation of TextStream (RealText) files. TextStream files are a low-bandwidth option for presenting text information in a presentation.

TextStream files can have a number of attributes and also have a robust set of markup tags that can display text-based information in a high impact form. TextStream files can present text information and scroll horizontally or vertically, at varying speeds and contain links to other presentations or URLs. The Fluition TextStream Builder makes the creation of these files easier. TextStream files are saved and inserted into your regions in the same way as other media clips.

TextStream & Plain Text

TextStream files are different from plain text files. The TextStream Builder can open either TextStream or plain text files. When opening a plain text file, the TextStream Builder will read all of the text directly into the editing window where it can be saved as a TextStream file. When saving a TextStream file, the TextStream Builder will automatically create the tags necessary from the options selected in the window. The TextStream Builder makes it very easy to create TextStream files from plain text files. Text can be copied to and from the Fluition TextStream Builder to create your text files.

TextStream Attributes

Scroll Direction

The Scroll direction pop-up selects the scrolling direction of the text being displayed. Selecting "Horizontal" results in the text scrolling across the Region in which it is playing. Selecting "Vertical" causes the text to scroll upwards from the bottom of the Region.

Scroll Rate

The Scroll Rate is the speed at which the text will scroll within the Region. The scroll rate is measured in pixels-per-second.

Width and Height

The Height and Width of the TextStream determines the dimensions of the TextStream file.

Duration

The Duration determines how long the TextStream file will play. This value is independent of the amount of text combined with the scroll rate.

BG (Background Color)

The BG pop-up window will allow you to assign a color to the background of your TextStream file.

Tag Buttons

The Tag Buttons will insert start and end tags around selected text within the TextStream Builder window. These buttons will insert formatting tags and linking tags but will not enter the values. Select the text you wish to have the Tag applied to and select the tag button you wish to use. These buttons save the time of manually typing some of the most common TextStream tags.