LXi 8.6 expert need help giving a word hourglass look.

[throwerb]

Hi guys, I hope I posted this in the right section as this id my first post. I am trying to get a word too look flat on top while rounded like a bridge on top. I am also trying to round both top and bottom to look like a hourglass if you will, laying on its side. Thanks I advance...Brad

 

[Z SIGNS]

Distortions and are great for adding contrast to your layouts. This effect allows you to warp a shape or word to imitate the effect of a three-dimensional substrate. Give your text the look of a waving flag, banner, cylinder, foreshortened wall, or almost any other shape. There are 23 presets in LXi and each can be edited using the node and path tools. The only limit is your imagination

Hope this helps

 

[throwerb]

Thanks for the reply but I am still lost as I can't seem to find the presets or a distort feature?

 

[webguru]

Did you click the link provided?

http://www.signwarehouse.com/tech-support/HTML/Software/VE_LXi/distortions.html

Distort
When text is distorted it’s automatically converted to a graphic object that can no longer be formatted or edited as text. To apply a distortion, select the object and choose Effect > Distort. DesignCentral displays the distort tab. Each distortion is customizable with the handles. The best way to learn how to use distortions is to experiment with each one. Look at the diagrams in the DesignCentral dialog box to find the distortion you want to use, then try applying it yourself and moving the control points and direction bars to change the envelope.

 

[mfatty500]

In Flexi 8.6 go to effects>distort,, new window opens, select arch top, go to lower left set of "F's" select that, and select nodes to adjust. Hope that is clear for you.

 

[throwerb]

Thanks for the help guys but when I go to effects distort is not there. My options are weld, outline, shadow, clear outline or separate outline. Feeling kind f dumb at this point.