Making text on a angle with a wave

[john1]

Hey, I am using Illustrator CS3 and i can't figure out how to achieve the look of text angled and with a slight curve to it. I tried the flag and wave distort feature with no success.

Here is some work that i am trying to go off of

http://www.letterheadfonts.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=toprated&cat=0&pos=17#start

http://www.letterheadfonts.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=4#start

http://www.letterheadfonts.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=10&pos=22#start

Thanks!

 

[Travis Stanley]

There is a tutorial on LHF that shows how to do it.

 

[Knep]

not sure in AI...but in flexi and corel its pretty simple, convert the text to curves and then do an envelope on it and it should give you what you need...

 

[Vinylman]

In Illustrator, you chose "type on a path" from one of the fly out menus in the "type" selection tools area.

The first thing you need to do is choose the pen tool, { or make a shape that you want the type to follow} and create the shape you want the type to follow.

Then use the type on a path tool.

Once you have the "TYPE" you want, and BEFORE converting it to outlines, make any adjustments to size, location on the line, etc.

Then with the type highlighted go under the "TYPE" menu at the top of the page is a drop down menu offering you various options for aligning the type.
You can experiment from this point on as to what you want to create.

Hope this helps.

 

[john1]

Thank you, The text on path worked perfect.

Now how would you do it for lets say text with a thin line above and below the text that flows with the lettering though?

 

[The Vector Doctor]

When you create a path for the text to follow make sure you also create stroked lines above and/or below the text. That way when you apply the distortion/envelope tool, make sure both the text and lines are selected so all are distorted/curved at the same time. Alternately you can go in by hand and draw a path that follows the curvature of the text

 

[The Vector Doctor]

example

 

[Malkin]

Eric, in my older copy of Illy (10) when I use the text on path tool, the text is generally perpendicular to the path. The vertical strokes of the letters do not stay vertical (like they have in your example). Is there an option in the newer versions for that?

I can do it easily using Omega when needed.

 

[The Vector Doctor]

I don't recall the options in v10, but my sample was done using the envelope distort tool. Text on a path generally follows the path and will not result in the vertical sides as shown on my sample. Even in newer versions of Illy will not produce these results when using text on a path. You must use the envelope function

 

[vinylbarry]

Ummmm I will have to try that I usally do it in another program.

 

[10sacer]

Text on path

Way back in my younger days when Postscript was just invented - there was a program for the Mac called Typestyler.

It would do it for you automatically. I think its still available and relatively inexpensive.

It has tons of presets to generate all kinds of funky type scenarios.

http://www.typestyler.com/gallery.html


Sean

 

[Malkin]

I don't recall the options in v10, but my sample was done using the envelope distort tool. Text on a path generally follows the path and will not result in the vertical sides as shown on my sample. Even in newer versions of Illy will not produce these results when using text on a path. You must use the envelope function

Ok, thanks for the info! I'll try it out...

 

[saktrnch]

Eric, in my older copy of Illy (10) when I use the text on path tool, the text is generally perpendicular to the path. The vertical strokes of the letters do not stay vertical (like they have in your example). Is there an option in the newer versions for that?

With the text selected, can you go to object>transform>shear?

 

[saktrnch]

Eric, in my older copy of Illy (10) when I use the text on path tool, the text is generally perpendicular to the path. The vertical strokes of the letters do not stay vertical (like they have in your example). Is there an option in the newer versions for that?

With the text selected, can you go to object>transform>shear?

 

[Malkin]

With the text selected, can you go to object>transform>shear?

The 2 on the left use the Path Type Tool, the 2 on the right I applied a 20 deg. horizontal shear. It sort of works for the straight line, but not so much on the curved line.

I still need to play with the envelope function...

 

[cartar929]

You don't really need to type on a path. There is another way to do it.

This is in Illustrator CS3
1. Create your type and whatever graphic element you want around it.
2. Select it all, and group them together.
3. With everything selected you want to warp go to: effect > warp (then choose the style you want to warp your selection)
4. Check the preview box to be on so you can see how your selection is being effected.
5. Click ok and your manipulation will take effect.
6. You can also warp your previous manipulation to compound effects if you need to.

 

[Vinylman]

You don't really need to type on a path. There is another way to do it.

This is in Illustrator CS3
1. Create your type and whatever graphic element you want around it.
2. Select it all, and group them together.
3. With everything selected you want to warp go to: effect > warp (then choose the style you want to warp your selection)
4. Check the preview box to be on so you can see how your selection is being effected.
5. Click ok and your manipulation will take effect.
6. You can also warp your previous manipulation to compound effects if you need to.

The problem with your suggestion, is that the effect you created can not be "cut" with a plotter because it is an "envelope" NOT a true vector piece of artwork.

Though you could print your example, if I am understanding the example you posted, it is NOT plot-able.
There in lies the problem of creating artwork only from a designers point of view, without bringing it into a venue such as the sign business where many sign folks still rely heavily upon the plotter to create their finished work.

 

[Rick]

The problem with your suggestion, is that the effect you created can not be "cut" with a plotter because it is an "envelope" NOT a true vector piece of artwork.

Though you could print your example, if I am understanding the example you posted, it is NOT plot-able.
There in lies the problem of creating artwork only from a designers point of view, without bringing it into a venue such as the sign business where many sign folks still rely heavily upon the plotter to create their finished work.

There in lies another problem, not knowing your software...
If you "expand" it, it will cut on a plotter....

 

[cartar929]

vinylman just thought i would talk about another way to achieve the effect.
rick thanks for the help.

 

[Vinylman]

There in lies another problem, not knowing your software...
If you "expand" it, it will cut on a plotter....

Rick:

THANKS, I have been using Illustrator since 1988, and I never fail to be amazed at how many of the features that STILL escape my observation.

I used to belong to a Mac Users group about 18-20 tears ago, and one of the members was a High School graphics instructor told us that most users of any design program only tap into 15-20% of the capabilities.
And I have found that to be true over these many years.
Again, thanks for the "new" tid bit.