Type on a Path error message - wavey box

[Heather53]

Thanks for your help. I tried making the rectangle and then making it wavey - but i can't use the type on a path tool without gettting the error message

"you must click on a non-compound non-masking path to create text inside a path"

do you know what i am doing wrong to get this message?

 

[apepp]

...are you looking for something like this?

http://www.zen63258.zen.co.uk/tek/waveybox.jpg

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...the above linked image was created using 'effect > warp > flag', applied to both the text and rectangle at the same time by having them both selected...

...then apply a bit more to just the text so it flows a bit better if required...

...the text is simply typed above the rectangle, no text to paths or text area frames created or used...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

this error message:

>>> you must click on a non-compound non-masking path to create text inside a path <<<

...basically, with the other text tools you need to click on a paths vector line or on the very edge line of a shape if using the area tools, not inside the shape but on the edge of it...

...you don't need to use this method to create the linked image from above in my earlier post...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

From the help files:


=============================
The Type tool (T) creates individual type and type containers and lets you enter and edit type.
=============================
The Area Type tool changes closed paths to type containers and lets you enter and edit type within them.
=============================
The Path Type tool changes paths to type paths, and lets you enter and edit type on them.
=============================
The Vertical Type tool creates vertical type and vertical type containers and lets you enter and edit vertical type.
=============================
The Vertical Area Type tool changes closed paths to vertical type containers and lets you enter and edit type within them.
=============================
The Vertical Path Type tool changes paths to vertical type paths and lets you enter and edit type on them.
=============================

Andrew

 

[Heather53]

thanks for all your help. the image that you made is what i am looking for - but the text has to perfectly follow the curve of the box as it is only 2mm from the edge. the text is also only 2/3 of the length of the box - so i just can't get it to wave the right way. the words end up going down too far at the end. can i manually move the letters after i have done the wave?

 

[apepp]

...i suggest you do ut in several stages:

1. create the box and apply the flag effect (effect > warp > flag). Get it to how you want.

2. expand appearance of the box (object > expand appearance).

3. select the bottom curved line of the box with the direct select tool (white arrow).

4. copy and paste in front. now you should have just the curve that makes up the bottom of the box, select the select tool (black arrow) and move it up a bit.

5. choose the 'type on path' tool (third one from the left of the text tool).

6. click on the path you just pasted and type your text.

7. to adjust the direction of the text you may need to use the select or direct select tool (black or white arrow) and pull the control bars about to suit and fit all the text.

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...if you find the text upside down then grab the thin middle guide that is part of the text on path with the select tool, your cursor will change and have a 'T' symbol, click and drag up and this will flip it the right way up on the path...

...there are two other guides on a typed path that control the start of the text and the end of the text, if these guides are too close together the text you type will overflow, a small red box will be visible if this occurs...

...drag the start guide away from the end guide to reveal all the text you type...

Andrew