User Guide

Chapter 10276
Importing text
You can import text from any application that saves text in rich text format (RTF), in plain text
(ASCII), or from HTML documents. Use the standard importing procedure with File > Import
to import any RTF, ASCII, or HTML document. To import an HTML document from the
Internet, click the Internet button in the Import dialog box (File > Import) and enter a URL in
the File URL text box.
Text and RTF files are always imported and stored inside the movie file, even if you select Link to
External File.
When you import text from an HTML document, Director recognizes most standard tags and
parameters, including tables, and approximates the formatting. Director does not recognize
embedded objects other than tables, and it does not support nested tables. It also does not
recognize
APPLET, FORM, FRAME, INPUT, or IMAGE tags.
Director ignores any tags it does not recognize. For HTML files that are updated frequently, make
sure you’re satisfied with the formatting when importing.
When you import text from an RTF file, Director recognizes most standard RTF formatting, but
it does not import pictures embedded in the file.
The amount of text in a cast member is limited only by the memory that is available in the
playback system.
Importing text with Lingo
Lingo can import text in several ways. See individual entries in the Lingo Dictionary.
• To import text from a URL, use the getNetText() function.
• To import text from an external file from a URL or the local computer, select or create a
text cast member and set its
fileName property to the name of the external file that
contains the text.
• To import text from a file on disk, use the getPref() function. If no setPref command has
already written such a file, the getPref() function returns VOID.
Editing and formatting text
Director offers several ways to edit and format text. You can edit text directly on the Stage and
format it with the floating Text inspector, or use the Text window to work in a more traditional
text editing environment. Many of the same formatting controls are in the Font and Paragraph
dialog boxes, as well as in the Text window and the Text inspector. Select the most convenient
option for your work style.