Visualize it...you control the way your text moves

How to make text move the way you want it to move:

Lately, I've been giving Flash alot of thought. For example, it is now 2:30 am, I can't sleep, and I'm writing about Flash. I'm consumed with everything Flash. While I've been working on creating tutorials in Flash, I have also been helping to create a game in Flash as part of a class project. Perhaps you think I should be an expert by now but you see...Flash is a complicated program!

Flash is complicated simply because you can do so much with Flash. I think, however, looking at the whole potential of Flash can be a bit self defeating though. Consider the ways in which you will use Flash...what techniques are you most interested in developing? Exploit your interests and don't worry about mastering Flash. And now, to my point...when you can't find help in a manual sometimes it pays to consult yourself (unless actionscript is involved).

In the instance of animating text, I think this technique works well.

Every time I want to do something new, the first thing I try to do is look for a tutorial online or ask someone if they can help. Of course, that's not a bad thing, but there's also another dimension to Flash that doesn't always require a textbook or a tutorial. When I can't find an instruction booklet, sometimes I have to get creative. If you look around on some of these tutorials on the Web, you'll see examples of remarkable creativity. Now, granted, you have to start somewhere. But here's an example of a situation when directions are not always necessary:
I want to make my text simulate a "bounce effect" and I can't find a tutorial on how to do this. I begin thinking, "Well, shifting text on a timeline causes it to move...but, how can I make it bounce?" I visualize the act of bouncing. By mimiking the act of bouncing in my head, I am able to understand the act of a bouncing object.

1) I want the text to have an initial contact with another steady object.
2) I want the text to simulate caving in and then retracting outwards like so:
] bou n c e
]bou n c e
]bounce
]b o u nce
] b o unce
3) this would be followed by a series of smaller chain reactions, simulating a resting of the bounce.

Making animated text have a desired effect is all about timing mechanizms (use of timeline), and the shifting and spacing of words and letters.

Finally, if you can visualize the process, the effect or the emotion you want to convey, many times you can use creative skills to acheive your goal.