Text On A Curve
This tool requires the user to select a single line of text with the Draw Text tool and a single vector curve/line. It will take the text and fit it onto the selected vector to follow the curvature. Options within the tool allow position, space and location against the line to be edited.
To edit properties of text object that was already on a curve, just select the text object. To place it on another curve select both the text object and a vector.
It is also possible to use a closed vector to wrap the text around it.
Watch this video to see this in action:
Text Size
Maintain text Size
Will not change the size of the text block
Scale text to fill curve
Will increase the character size in order to fit along the entire length of the selected curve.
Text Spacing
The slider can be used to increase or decrease the word and character spacing. Each time the form is opened, or new text is selected, this control starts at the 100% mark. While this text is being edited the spacing scale can be increased or decreased from its original value.
Text Position
Above Curve
On Curve
Below Curve
Text on other side
Offset Distance
Allows the text to be moved away from the curve by a specified distance.
Text Alignment
The 3 options allow the text fitted to the curve to be aligned to the left, middle or right hand side of the selected curve. Or, when using a closed vector curve, relative to the Start Node.
Note
Remember the Start node can be changed using the Node Editing Tools available from the Right mouse menu and selecting Reverse Direction.
Characters in the text string can also be aligned 'normal' to the drive curve or left in the original vertical position.
Position on the curve
The text's position on the curve can be adjusted interactively, by dragging the anchor point handle in 2D View.
Detaching from the curve
The text object that was wrapped on a curve can be detached from it.
To detach text right-click on the selected text object and select "Remove Text From The Curve" option.
Usable In Both Views
This tool can be used in both the 2D and 3D View.
2D View offers a more direct way to view your vectors while the 3D view offers more flexibility to work with Vectors in 3D Designs and to make use of the Edit Boxes.
When in the 2D view, a number of the forms tools will be driven by options in the form only.
- Middle - Move the vectors (Hold Alt and move the selected objects in one axis)
- Middle - Click a second time to switch to Rotational center. Click and drag the Rotational Anchor to reposition the Rotational Center of the current selection.
- Corner (White) - Scale the vectors proportionally (Hold Alt for scaling non-proportionally, Shift to scale around the centre)
- Edges (White) - Scale the vector in one axis (Hold Shift for scaling proportionally)
- Corner (Black) - Rotate the vectors (Hold Alt to Rotate in 15° increments) about the Rotation Center.
In the 3D view, there is an expanded number of handles to directly edit the vector within the view, without needing to use the creation form on the left.
In the 3D View, the Handles are:
- Middle - Move the vectors (Hold Alt to Move the selected objects in one axis)
- Middle - Click a second time to switch to Rotational center. Click and drag the Rotational Anchor to reposition the Rotational Center of the current selection.
- Corner (White) - Scale the vectors proportionally (HoldAlt for scaling non-proportionally, orShift to scale around the centre)
- Edges (Black) - Scale the vector in one axis (Hold Shift for scaling proportionally)
- Rotation Arrow (Top Black) - Rotate the vectors (Hold Alt to rotate in 15° increments)
- White circles are properties unique to this tool to allow direct mouse editing of values in the tool form from within the view.
When you select a Transform Handle, it will activate the appropriate Edit Box for that Handle.
If you need an exact value for a field while dragging it, release the mouse button and type in the desired value, followed by Enter to accept the new value.