<cfx_imageflare source="
  b = Bitmap()
  f = Font( 'Coliseum Normal', 36 )
  b.size( f.getdimensions('Some Text') )
  b.fill( Color('white') )  
  b.text( 'Some Text', 0, b.height, f, Color('grey') )
  b.save( '#expandpath('.\example03a.gif')#' )
">

When drawing a string you must first decide if you are going to draw on a single line or multiple. In the above script we draw on a single line.

b.text( 'Some Text', 0, b.height, f, Color('grey') )

In the ImageFlare API, this method call is listed twice with differing arguments.
This method is `overloaded`. It can accept either set of arguments.

The first definition, which is being used above, anchors text in the lower left corner. The second definition allows you to define a rectangle in which text will be drawn, optionally wrapping lines and performing various other alignment/formatting as set in the Font objects formatting properties.

The images to the right demonstrate this difference in possible arguments.

As mentioned, the second definition allows you to define a box within which you can format text, wrapping and aligning via the Font's properties.

<cfx_imageflare source="
  b = Bitmap(120,80)
  b.fill( Color('white') )  

  f = Font( 'Assiduous', 14 )
  f.wordwrap = true
  f.aligncenter = true

  s = 'This is just some text that we would like to see formatted in various ways.'  
  b.text( s, 0, 0, b.width, b.height, f, Color('darkgrey') )

  b.save( '#expandpath('.\example03d.gif')#' )
">

Here, we've created a 120x80 image and drawn some text. Using the wordwrap and aligncenter properties of the Font object, we've told ImageFlare to wrap the text into multiple lines and center it. This is only possible using the second definition of the text method.

In similar fashion, you can also align text to the right or left.

<cfx_imageflare source="
  s = 'This is just some text that we would like to see formatted in various ways.'
  c = Color('darkgrey')
  
  b = Bitmap(260,80)
  b.fill( Color('white') )  
  
  f = Font( 'Assiduous', 14 )
  f.wordwrap = true

  f.alignright = true
  b.text( s, 0, 0, (b.width/2)-10, b.height, f, c )

  f.alignright = false
  f.alignleft = true
  b.text( s, (b.width/2)+10, 0, b.width, b.height, f, c )
  
  b.line( b.width/2, 0, b.width/2, b.height, c )
    
  b.save( '#expandpath('.\example03e.gif')#' )  
">

This example draws the same text twice in different places, while using the same Font. The Font objects alignright and alignleft properties are adjusted before each string is drawn. Two seperate font objects could have been created, but in this case it is more convenient and efficient to manipulate the properties.

Finally, a line is drawn between them with b.line( b.width/2, 0, b.width/2, b.height, c )

Aside from more aesthetic text, fonts can also be used for barcodes, ocr, micr, clipart, and better securing of verification codes, as seen on Yahoo and Paypal.
Secure verification codes, as well as dynamic buttons, will be discussed in later examples documentation. The others are self-explanatory...

		3 of 9 Barcode • 18 Point
		MICR • 9 Point

On a final note, it should be noted that fonts will most often look best at a point size which 72 is easily divisible by. eg... 9, 18, 36, 72

As usual, feel free to contact us with questions.
Click here to return to the examples index, or continue on to Example 4.