How do I insert text along a curve

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    < Faq‎ | Draw

    How do I insert text along a curve?

    Add Fontwork tool palette

    You need the simple Fontwork tool for this operation, not the one with the gallery.

    To easily access the tool, follow these steps:

    1. Go to Tools ▸ Customize ▸ Toolbars
    2. Input fontwork into the Search field, with Category All commands
    3. In the list of available commands, select Fontwork
    4. In the Target dropdown, pick a toolbar you would like the command to appear in
    5. In the list of assigned commands, select a command to define the location of the Fontwork command
    6. Click the right-pointing arrow Add item to add the Fontwork command to the toolbar
    7. Click OK to validate

    Draw the shape/curve

    If your text is to follow a circular or elliptical arc:

    • from the Drawing toolbar Basic Shapes palette, select Arc
    • draw your arc and select it
    • type the text and hit ESC once to keep the shape selected

    You can adjust the arc shape:

    • select Points in Drawing toolbar, shortcut F8
    • adjust the two largest squares which indicate the angles of the beginning and end of the arc

    If your text is to follow any shape:

    • draw your shape
    • right-click the shape and select Convert ▸ To Curve/Polygon/Contour
    • type the text and hit ESC once to keep the shape selected

    If your text is to follow a freehand line:

    • draw the line using the Curve tool of the Drawing toolbar
    • type the text and hit ESC once to keep the shape selected

    Use Fontwork tool palette

    Now you can use the Fontwork tool to determine, how the text will appear on the curve:

    • show the Fontwork tool palette with the button added previously
    • click on one button of the first line to define character inclination
    • on second line, you can select last button to extend text on the whole curve
    • third line of buttons enables to hide/show the line, or to add shadow

    Help content explaining the meaning of the buttons can be accessed by:

    • selecting the Fontwork tool palette
    • pressing F1