Adding Text to Your Cards

Most of us find it necessary to add text to our cards to relay information. We can not be reliant on just graphics to get our lessons or messages across. There are a number of different ways to place text on your card. We will explore two of these methods.

Using a "Text Object"

The most reliable method for placing text on your card is a "Text Object." To place a "Text Object" on your card you will need to click on "Objects"

"Add a Text Object," as shown below.

The next step you will have to take is to place that "Text Object" on your card somewhere. You can drag it by clicking once on it and dragging it around your card, and you can resize it by dragging on it's corners. Once you have it in place simply click anywhere off of it and the following image will appear:

You will need to give the object a title so HyperStudio will know what it is it needs to load on this card. You can manipulate the text and background color settings on this card as well as the some actions the text can take during the presentation. Click "OK" once you have titled this "Text Object."

Next you will something that looks like the image shown below. By typing at the cursor you are able to place any text you wish in this box.

If move your cursor off of the "Text Object" you will notice a small pointing hand as your cursor. You will also notice that the same cursor is highlighted in the tool box that we have previously moved to the work space. The tool box should look like this:

Clicking on the arrow in the tool box will allow you to move the "Text Object" as well as resize it. Click back on the pointing hand to allow you to type or change what you have written in the "Text Object."

Using Plain Text

Using plain text is not a preferable method for placing text on your cards. The main problem with using plain text is that it acts like a basic color when it comes to backgrounds. If you decide to use the fill method for placing your backgrounds then the small holes in letters like "O" and "P" will not be filled in. Also, if you decide to erase your background to change the color or from a pattern to another pattern you will loose all plain text you have inserted.

Therefore, the only time we recommend using plain text is when you are absolutely certain that you are not going to make any more changes to the card. It is even a hassle to try to fix any mistakes you make with plain text. You will have to use the easer tool to get rid of the mistake and start over.

That said, to place plain text on your card you will need to click on the alpha tool in the tool box. It looks like this:

After you have clicked on the alpha tool you can click anywhere on the card and start typing. You will notice that the color of your text is the one you have chosen on your color palette. In the following instance we have chosen a blue color for our text:

Click on the arrow to continue with the HyperStudio Tutorial.