Can I make text follow a path?

[karossii]

Michael,

I would have to see a video tutorial, or else play with it myself, to be sure - but I think that is exactly what I would want it to do. I'd planned on making a complex vector shape (or even not actually close it and leave it a series of connected lines, splines, and arcs), and having the text follow that path; preferably centered on the path (his sample image looks like it is floored on the path, not centered) - but either way would work. Then, I would play with the spacing and font choice to get the words to break where and how I wanted, and outline the text then use a path offset on the text's outline (just as you did for the JODY plaque), and make that outline a cut path for the front of a frame. In photoshop, I made a quick and dirty example in under a minute... it is nowhere near as neat as I would make an actual frame... but it shows the idea.

[Underdog]

Wrapping text around a shape can be done, but it's a bit more challenging for say, a triangle or octagon. Sometimes it will be easier to do your text in portions (one or a few words at a time) and rotate/align manually to get the effect you want around certain shapes. [...] So, there are times when you want to 'parcel' sections of the text no matter what program you are using.

What would make this SO much easier, is if we had REAL font size controls.... Not this "I'm eyeballing what size this font is as I rotate and put it in place" kinda controls...... Seriously?

[lynnfrwd]

What would make this SO much easier, is if we had REAL font size controls.... Not this "I'm eyeballing what size this font is as I rotate and put it in place" kinda controls...... Seriously?

Designer PRO has the ability to flow text along an open path. (Remember text flows in the direction the path is drawn.) You can also set the size of the fonts in Designer PRO. SERIOUSLY!

[Underdog]

I'm assuming that "Designer Pro" means the new 2.0 or 3.0 versions?

[lynnfrwd]

I'm assuming that "Designer Pro" means the new 2.0 or 3.0 versions?

Yes. Designer BASIC is 1.187. Designer PRO is currently 3.102.

[cestout]

I have found situations where shaping the envelope works better than following a line.
Clint

[Underdog]

Shaping the envelope? What's that?

[bergerud]

That is the Edit Envelope, a feature of Designer 2 and 3. Text and patterns can be "distorted".

[Underdog]

Designer is finally starting to catch up with the big boys, eh? It might actually be competition if they keep this up.

[lynnfrwd]

Underdog, I think it is more of a case of you needing to catch up with Designer. Edit envelope, Text (and Patterns) Along a Path, Font Tools...all introduced over a year ago.