Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
TIP
You can put text around
any
shape, not just the ones available in the Tool Options area
when the Text on Shape tool is active. Simply use the Custom Shape tool (
The Custom
Shape Tool
)
to draw a shape. Next, create a new layer, get out the Magic Wand, turn on
the Sample All Layers checkbox, and then use the Wand to select the shape. Once you
have a selection, switch to the Text on Selection tool and use it as explained in the previ-
ous section. If you don't want the Shape layer to appear in your completed image, simply
delete it.
Creating Your Own Path
There's yet
another
way to make text loop and curve, and it's the most flexible of all: creat-
ing a custom path for the text to follow. You can draw a path that's any shape you like, and
this technique works just as well on a blank file as on an image file. This is a great tool for
adding dramatic text effects to images. Here's how to use it:
1.
Activate the Text on Custom Path tool
.
Press T and then click this tool's icon, which is at the bottom left of the Tool Options
area and looks like a T with a squiggle below it.
2.
Draw a path
.
When you activate this tool, your cursor changes to an old-fashioned fountain pen nib.
(If it doesn't, head to the Tool Options area and click the pencil icon.) Simply drag to
draw a path for the text. You can follow the outline of an object in a photo, or just
draw freehand. Like the paths you can create with the Text on Selection and Text on
Shape tools, what you draw here is a non-printing guideline for entering text. As soon
as you release your mouse button, you'll see the Commit and Cancel icons.
If you like the path you draw, click the green Commit checkmark and skip to step 4. If
you think your path is imperfect but salvageable, continue with step 3. And if you
want to start your path over from scratch, click the red Cancel icon and try again.
3.
Refine the path
.
If you aren't thrilled with how your path looks, that's OK, because it's easy to fix. In
the Tool Options area, click the Modify button (the gray arrow).
Figure 14-17
ex-
plains how it works. Once you've got the path's anchor points adjusted to your liking,
