Two ways of creating dynamic text: which is best?

[fireseeker]

I'm setting up some dynamic text fields to present data from external .txt
files, and I see that there are two ways of going about it: through the Text
tool and using ActionScript (createTextField).

From the explanation I'm reading, I can't see the difference in these two
methods, and I'd like to know if there is an advantage in using ActionScript or
the Text tool, or limitations in compatibility, etc. What's the difference, and
which method will give me a more stable text field?

Thanks!
Marisa

[creativity06]

I, personally, like making the dynamic text field and loading external .txt
files in it. It is very simple. Also, there is now createTextField which works
very well with creating text.

[S=CreateTextField]http://actionscript-toolbox.com/flashmx_createtext.php[/S]
[L=Explains
createTextField]http://livedocs.macromedia.com/flash/mx2004/main/wwhelp/wwhimpl/
common/html/wwhelp.htm?context=Flash_MX_2004_Documentation&fil e=12_as381.htm[/L]

That explains how to make a text field using createTextField.

Loading external text is easier with dynamic text fields I think because you
can position your text box easily without having to use all those numbers. I
guess it is up to the user to pick which one he or she wants to use.

I haven't looked into loading external files with createTextField yet. Im
actually going to look into it. Both ways will work. Both are easy. I think the
difference is that some flashers like to work more with actionscript than
actually making text fields, etc. on the movie stage. So basically, the way you
load external text files is up to you.

[fireseeker]

Ah, so it's basically a matter of having more control to fine-tune, then (the
ActionScript option). It sounds like something I'd like to try sometime, but
for now I need to get the site done for my client, so I'll use the text fields,
since there's no difference in performance.

Thanks for the information and advice!

[creativity06]

No problem. I think you should use dynamic text fields for now, but experience with the new createTextField function later on and you might like it better and easier to use.