KB31082: How to Create Embedded Fonts for MicroStrategy 9.4.x Visualization Framework

In the Strategy 9.0 Visualization Framework the user has the ability to embed fonts in custom visualizations. Embedding fonts in the visualizations gives the user more flexibility when defining the style of the text that uses such fonts. The user should prepare a special SWF file containing the embedded font. This technical note documents the steps to create such SWF file with an embedded font in the appropriate format to be consumed by the Strategy DashboardViewer.
 
The steps documented in this technical note make use of the following software:

• Adobe Flash Professional CC 2014
• Adobe Flash Builder 4.0.1 with Flex SDK 4.1

These programs must be installed in the development environment before continuing.
 
Two file are provided as part of this technical note to help in the development of the embedded fonts.  These files can be used as templates to generate the new embedded font:

• WebdingsFont.fla
• Webdings.as
  

• Files
  

 
Follow these steps to create the embedded font file:

• Open the sample FLA file using Adobe Flash Professional CC 2014.
• Select all the fonts symbols located  in the library and delete them
• Change the font family in all 4 textboxes to the appropriate font family and style to be embedded as shown below:
  

• For each of the textboxes do the following:
  
• Select "Dynamic text" in the properties inspector.
• Click on the embed button and select the symbols to embed. It is recommended to select the fewer symbols as possible since the more symbols the user add, the bigger the final file will be. The recommendation is to include only "Basic Latin" or "UpperCase, LowerCase, Numerals and Punctuation".
•  Enter a name for the font as shown below
  

• For each newly created font, in the Font Embedding window, go to the ActioScript tab and check the "Export for ActionScript" and "Export in frame 1" option: 
  

• Publish this document as a new FLA file. This step will generate a SWF file.
• Create a new ActionScript project in Flash Builder 4.0.1 and use the sample ActionScript code provided in this technical note as a template.
  Note: the sample action script implements the IFontModule interface, which is an external class. Refer to Flash documentation for more information. 
• Modify the action script with the correct font name and change the references to point to the SWF file created on step 9.
• Compile this project and located the SWF file that is generated. This SWF file is the one that is going to be used to embed the font.

 
Third Party Software Installation:
WARNING:
The third-party product(s) discussed in this technical note is manufactured by vendors independent of Strategy. Strategy makes no warranty, express, implied or otherwise, regarding this product, including its performance or reliability.