The Tools panel is where all the tools you use to create graphics reside. The details of the Tools panel, also called the Toolbar, are discussed in Chapter 2. If you do not see the Tools panel, select Window | Tools from the menu.

1. In the Toolbar, select the Text tool. As in many other applications, it appears as a letter A in the Toolbar, as shown here:

2. Before inputting the text on the stage, select the font, color, and size of the text you are about to create. To do so, go to the Properties Inspector, where you can set and modify the properties (characteristics) of the text you are about to create. From the Font pull-down menu, select Arial. To the right of the Font selection is the Font Size box. Type 40 in this box. Then click the Text Fill Color swatch to the right of the Font Size box and select a color from the pop-up menu to complement your background color selection. Make sure the font color you choose contrasts with the background color you originally chose. At the far right on the top row of buttons, select the Center Justify button. This button looks like a small paragraph whose text is centered. When you select this you can be sure that the text will be referenced from the center when you type it in. The appropriate settings for your text are shown here:

Tools and controls in the Toolbar and Properties Inspector conveniently display tooltips. When you position your pointer over a tool, its name appears. These tooltips help you get to know the various tools in Flash. Shortcut key information appears to the right of the tool name in the tooltip too, making it easy for you to memorize the shortcuts. Shortcut keys help you quickly access a tool by pressing a letter key. For example, by pressing the letter T you can access the Text tool.

Tools and controls in the Toolbar and Properties Inspector conveniently display tooltips. When you position your pointer over a tool, its name appears. These tooltips help you get to know the various tools in Flash. Shortcut key information appears to the right of the tool name in the tooltip too, making it easy for you to memorize the shortcuts. Shortcut keys help you quickly access a tool by pressing a letter key. For example, by pressing the letter T you can access the Text tool.

3. Once the properties of the text are set, you can type in the text. Click in the middle of the stage and type the word ANIMATION. Once the word is typed out, click away from the text (anywhere in the Flash workspace) and then press v to access the Selection tool in the Toolbar. Use this tool, a black arrow, to select the text and position it on the stage. Position the arrow over the title until you see a crosshair appear in the bottom right of the arrow. The crosshair indicates that you have selected the text. Then click and move the text. The result should look similar to this illustration:

Now that the background is colored and text is created and in position, you can animate the text.