Using Text Layout Framework

The Text Layout Framework (TLF) is a class library built on top of the Flash Text Engine (FTE). The FTE, available in Flash Player 10 and Adobe AIR 1.5, adds advanced text capabilities to Flash Player. FTE provides a set of low-level APIs for libraries that leverage these capabilities. The FTE classes are in the flash.text.engine package. In most cases, you will not use these classes directly.

The TLF classes are in the flashx.textLayout.* package. You are likely to use the TLF classes when you apply styles with HTML markup to text in text controls that support TLF. These controls include the RichText and RichEditableText controls, as well as the Spark TextArea control.

The primary difference between most Spark and MX text-based controls is the control over the formatting. For Spark controls, the formatting is provided by either FTE or TLF. This gives you a great deal of control over the text formatting, including support for HTML tags, columns, and bi-directional text.

The APIs of the FTE are described in detail in Using the Flash Text Engine.