Shaping Text 1

[powerplaynow]

I'm trying to shape text to fit the inside a path--just like Harley Davidson has done with their logo. Any guesses as to how this can be done? It's obviously not "Typing along a path," but it has got to be something simmilar.

Thanks!

Brett

Example:

 

[itchybug]

Brett:

Use Envelopes, either one of the presets (Object>Envelope Distort>Make with Warp / Make with Mesh) or make your own Warping shape and use Make with Top Object. I made some custom ones, and used text encapsulated in a Symbol to distort.

Here's the PDF (Which you can open in Illustrator to take it apart):

http://www.itchybug.com/distort.pdf

Here's a HD logo on which I used the same technique:

HTH

Bert


Bert Philippus -

http://www.itchybug.com

 

[powerplaynow]

I really appreciate your help--but I still can't seem to shape the text correctly. It distorts the font into several directions rather than shaping it to the object. Any ideas?

Thanks again.

Brett

 

[vakohles]

Bert actually has your best option Brett - The only other option would be to trace (using the pen tool) your words into the shape of your choice.

How complex are your shapes too? The pointier they are the more difficult a time you will have. For instance words in a Star Shape would be troublesome to say the least.

Trust me when I say your best bet is to play around with Bert's suggestion until you get something close to what you desire.

If you need more detailed instructions on how those features work - I know Bert is good at detailing instructions or I can give it a try.



Virginia

InDesign CS, Photoshop CS, Illustrator CS, Acrobat 7
Windows XP & MAC OS X (Yes I Use Both, Not at the Same Time)

 

[itchybug]

Brett:

A tutorial will be forthcoming later on, when I get some time.

Bert

Bert Philippus -

http://www.itchybug.com

 

[itchybug]

Brett:

We start with a rectangle and a grid with some sample text on it. Note, that for this example I have placed an extra anchor point at the top of the rectangle. Make sure the rectangle is the front most object (Select, then Ctrl-Shift-] to bring to front):

To use envelopes to their full potential, we must adjust the default settings first. Go to Object>Envelope Distort>Envelope Options, and set the options like this:

Select both the rectangle and the grid/text, and hit Ctrl-Alt-C, that's the shortcut for "Make Envelope with Top Object). The result looks like this:

Now, activate the Direct Select tool (white arrow without the +), then activate the Pen (NOT Pencil) tool. The reason you activate the Direct Select tool before going to the Pen tool, is that when you hit Ctrl combined with most tools, you will revert to the most recently used selection tool.

Now, with the pen tool still active, press Ctrl (the pen changes to the direct select arrow) and select the top center anchor, and Shift-Drag it up a ways (Shift constrains the motion to the default constrain angles, in this case 90 degrees):

Release all modifier keys, and press Alt. Now, the pen tool should turn into a little upturned "v" shape, the Convert Anchor Point tool. Grab a hold of the left handle coming out of the center top anchor, and drag it straight down. Here's the result. As you can see, everything is still straight up and down, even though the art is distorted along the vertical axis.

Lastly, press Ctrl, and select the bottom right anchor, and slide it straight up. Still, everything stays straight up and down:

Look at an envelope as a rubber mat. If you pull straight up or down, it will stretch in that direction, but not sideways from that direction. If you lengthen the handles in any direction, that's the direction the distortion will go in the rubber mat.

Look at this final image, and see what happens when handles are pulled in different directions:

To recap: The reason you want to have the pen tool active, is that you can use its modification tools (especially the Convert Anchor) easily that way. As long as you pull straight up and down, the art will only distort along the vertical axis. Go play. Let me know if you have any further questions.

HTH

Bert

Bert Philippus -

http://www.itchybug.com

 

[itchybug]

By the way, I wanted to share the source file for this stuff. It's a pdf, you can open it in Illustrator:

http://www.itchybug.com/pulltug.pdf

Bert

Bert Philippus -

http://www.itchybug.com

 

[vakohles]

A Star for you Mr. Itcybug Man!

You truly know your stuff.

InDesign CS, Photoshop CS, Illustrator CS, Acrobat 7
Windows XP & MAC OS X (Yes I Use Both, Not at the Same Time)

 

[itchybug]

Thanks Virginia.

Bert Philippus -

http://www.itchybug.com

 

[vakohles]

By the way, I was trying/testing to see if you can edit text after it had been molded (enveloped) and it randomly let me - I don't know how, but now I can't get it to do it again. Is there a key command or does the cursor alter in any way in order to tell that you can edit the morphed text? Just because I am curious. Thanks!

InDesign CS, Photoshop CS, Illustrator CS, Acrobat 7
Windows XP & MAC OS X (Yes I Use Both, Not at the Same Time)

 

[itchybug]

Virginia:

To edit the contents of an envelope, hit Ctrl-Shift-V, to get back to the envelope shape itself, same thing.

Bert

Bert Philippus -

http://www.itchybug.com

 

[itchybug]

Virginia:

One other method I use in some cases, is to create a Symbol of the art/text, and putting that into an Envelope. This way, you can have a whole bunch of instances out there and redefine them all at once...

Bert

Bert Philippus -

http://www.itchybug.com

 

[vakohles]

Thanks. You wouldn't happen to know what the MAC shortcut is too would you?



InDesign CS, Photoshop CS, Illustrator CS, Acrobat 7
Windows XP & MAC OS X (Yes I Use Both, Not at the Same Time)

 

[itchybug]

Look next to Object>Envelope Distort>Edit Contents, it should list the shortcut if there is one. You can also assign a custom shortcut if you wish.

The Keyboard Shortcuts shortcut is (Oops, Windows) Ctrl-Alt-Shift-K, I guess on a Mac it would be Cmd-Opt-Shift-K or something. I've only touched a Mac like once in my life.

Bert

Bert Philippus -

http://www.itchybug.com