Yesterday I told you why you should never use arched type, now today, I’m going to show you how to do it in a couple of the more popular programs.
This is one of the easiest things that I had no idea how to do for a very long time. We’ll start with illustrator since it’s probably the most popular vector design programs right now. Oh and if you’re wondering, I am currently using Adobe Illustrator 9, so this could be slightly different for CS3, but I think that it’s similar enough that this should be able to help.
First you start off with a circle or squiggly line (mine was created using the PEN tool, from the tool bar, though you could use the PAINTBRUSH tool or PENCIL tool just as easily)
Next, under the TYPE tool(on the tool bar) there are several options you can bring up by holding the button down for a few seconds. From this menu, choose the PATH TYPE tool. Now click on the area of the circle or line you want the type to start at and start typing.
And there you go, arched or squiggly type made in Illustrator.
Now for Freehand. This program is pretty much dead now that Adobe bought it, but it’s what I learned on, so I will show it anyway.
Again, start with your circle or squiggly line or whatever you want. This time type out what you want to arc somewhere on the page, it doesn’t matter where.
Then SHIFT SELECT both the type and the circle and go up to the TEXT menu, select ATTACH TO PATH, and tada! You have your arched text.
Now a little tip when attaching to a squiggly line; where ever you start the line will be where you’re text will start once you attach it. So, this means if you start on the left and the line go to the right, then the text will look normal. If you start the line to the right and have it go left, the text will attach upside down and backwards. Handy if that’s what you want, a pain if it’s not.
Finally I’ll discuss Photoshop. Now I have never done this before today in this program, so I will be learning as much as you. (All of my type I do in Illustrator as I was trained to use Photoshop only for photo manipulation). Also I currently have Photoshop 6 so this is quite possibly different with newer versions.
Start with your text.
Go up to LAYER, TYPE and WARP TEXT. This should bring up some nice style options and you should be able to adjust the bend and distortion. Adjust to desired.
Now that you know how to arc text, remember to never use that knowledge. Or I will hunt you down. I swear! I know where you live!*
*Christina will not hunt down any readers of the blog and does not know where anyone lives, including herself. Seriously. She gets lost on the way home from work.
