Trouble with text on a path

[andyapc]

Ugh. I know how to type text on a circular path but I am trying to follow the directions for text on a different shaped path from one of the scrapalongs (which scraplifted Meryl's layout here: http://tinyurl.com/anexp )

I am working in PSCS2 and I would like to have my text be inside the shape of an hour glass (although not quite so skinny in the middle).

I have clicked on my custom shape tool but I'm not sure what shape I should use. I tried using the wave, but that gives me 3 waves, one right under the other. I tried rotating it (because I like the shape it vertically, even thought it's not an hourglass shape) using Edit>Transform Path, but I still don't know how to widen the space between two of the waves and get rid of the third wave and still keep it as a path. Then I tried using just a plain circle but I couldn't figure out how to squeeze in that center and still keep it as a path that I can put text in.

Does this make any sense??

[Amanda]

I've actually never done it!

Who can help Andy?

[Lauren]

Ive done it - but ive usually done it around shapes Ive created myself by using a selection as a base - ( in the paths palette- create path from selection) - You can also use the pen tool to create your chosen path.

[andyapc]

I'm sorry - I still can't figure it out. I'm not sure if I should use my marqee tools to draw my paths or my rectangle/elipse tool to draw the top & bottom of my shape, then how to merge the two selections. I tried using my pen tool but I've never used it before and boy ... is my hand shakey!!

I tried using my custom shape tool (selecting the thin triangle) and drew a triangle on one layer. Then under Edit I rotated it so that the point was facing down. Then, on the same layer, I drew another triangle directly underneath it but didn't rotate it, so that the points were overlapping (kind of like an angular hourglass shape LOL). It would be nicer if I could just duplicate my first triangle so that I could ensure both of them were the same size, but that's another thing I don't know how to do.

Now what do I do at this point? How do I get rid of that section where they overlap, so that I have one continuous space inside the triangles, where I want my text?

I think I'm going about this all wrong. Can someone walk me through this, or at least point me in the direction of a good tutorial? Tell me what shape I should use and what steps to follow?

Thanks so much for any help!

[Lauren]

Im a bit confused as to what you want to do - - why not start with something simple first like putting the text on a circle - I find its easier to learn a new task by taking baby steps instead of taking giant steps - You need to learn how to make the path from the selection first - create the selection by making a selection - opening the paths palette and creating a new path from the selection.- Then you can go add your text to the path -

[Lauren]

Also you can create a path from ANY selection -if you want a double triangle - draw a triange selection - fill it - then duplicate the layer - rotate and drag it to where you want it - merge the layers and select then create your path from that new selection - you dont need to use custom shapes - you can use anything to make a selection from.
When i re read what you really wanted to do - here is how I would do it
I would drag out a rectangular selection - I would use the liquify filter to push in the centre to form the hourglass .
Then create your path from that selection and add your text

[andyapc]

Im a bit confused as to what you want to do - - why not start with something simple first like putting the text on a circle - I find its easier to learn a new task by taking baby steps instead of taking giant steps

Haha!! I already knew how to do this ... I was trying to be ambitious and take it a step farther. Should have known better!! :rolleyes:

Also you can create a path from ANY selection -if you want a double triangle - draw a triange selection - fill it - then duplicate the layer - rotate and drag it to where you want it - merge the layers and select then create your path from that new selection - you dont need to use custom shapes - you can use anything to make a selection from.
When i re read what you really wanted to do - here is how I would do it
I would drag out a rectangular selection - I would use the liquify filter to push in the centre to form the hourglass .
Then create your path from that selection and add your text

Tried to do the double triangle thing, but didn't know what you meant by "fill it" - is that fill pixels? Drew out 2 triangles, merged them, went into paths but "make work path from selection" was grayed out.

Then I stretched a square shape into a rectangle and went into the Liquify Filter - :eek: :eek: :eek: the liquify filter and I are no longer on speaking terms and I don't know if I ever want to see it again.

So, ultimately, I did this: used my custom shape tool, drew out a square thin frame, went under Edit>Transform>Warp and somehow maneuvered it into a semi-decent shape, then went into Paths and went to town with my text.

Thank you for your help! Maybe one of these days, I can actually finish this layout and post it.

[Lauren]

Tried to do the double triangle thing, but didn't know what you meant by "fill it" - is that fill pixels? Drew out 2 triangles, merged them, went into paths but "make work path from selection" was grayed out.
. I would not use a shape for this - i would use a selection and fill it - just a simple fill

[andyapc]

I would not use a shape for this - i would use a selection and fill it - just a simple fill

I am so sorry to sound so dense, but how do I make a triangular selection? I've got my rectangle drawn out using my rectangular marquee tool and it's filled. Am I supposed to "subtract from selection" using another rectangle, but rotated? If so, how do I rotate a selection?

[Lauren]

To make a triangular selection use the polygonal selection tool - click- move to the next spot - click move again click - and join it up- simple - but youd still be better off using a rectangle and persevering with the liquify filter for an hourglass shape.

[Meryl]

Sorry I've come in a bit late on this and you have had some great advice already, however since its my page you looked at if it helps this is what I did
First I selected the bouquet CTRL + Click on the bouquet layer
Then went to the Path Pallet and clicked on the little icon 4th from the left "Make Workpath from Selection"
and then put my type into the path which had been made.

If you already have a shape that you want to fill with ther text this is the easiest way to go - if you have not and have to make the shape first I would suggest working through a few tuts on using paths and using the pen tool.
I was soooo scared of the pen tool till I decided on day to just learn it - best tuts I found were at www.myjanee.com and WZ2K (http://www.wz2k.co.uk/pages/downloads/download-search.php?tutorialName=pen+tool) - this one has free video tuts to download, bit of a pain that they didn't use the player that I already had, so had to download that as well (but all free, just more clutter!) all links are at the site. I must say watching and following with the video made such a difference.

[Emma]

How's this project coming along?

I'm not sure what you mean by "squeeze in that center"

You're learning to work with Paths the same time as you're learning to put text on a path. Learning to finesse all those nodes and use the Pen Tool and Vector Selection Tools takes some doing. Honestly, I don't feel I really had a grasp on it until I started making tons of custom shapes for my PSE class, and teaching the shape tool in PSE (it's vector only, so I was forced to become proficient at them).

Have you been able to put text on a simple path yet? Just a little curved line you draw with the pen tool, or a circle? Start easy, and then we'll work on nodes and altering vector shapes and all of that.

Or would you rather learn that part first?

[andyapc]

Hi Emma - yes, I can do text on a simple path (like a circle or a wave) - I was hoping to get text in the shape of an hour glass (kind of like your mouse when it's waiting for something to finish - it switches from an arrow to an hourglass - that's the shape I wanted). I just couldn't figure out how to make that hourglass shape and then turn it into a path. I was trying to use a rectangular shape and slightly squeeze in the center but I didn't like my result. Then I tried to use two triangles on top of eachother and bulge out the center, but I couldn't figure out how to get the 2 triangles, each on a different layer, to become one path. I searched the web for an hourglass shape that I could turn into a path but I couldn't find any.

I finally opted not to even use the hourglass shape since I was totally frustrated by that point. Meryl's way sounds the easiest, if I had a shape to begin with. It's making the shape that I'm having trouble with.

I just recently tried using the liquify filter when I was doing this and it just plain freaked me out - don't know if I ever want to see it again. I also just tried using the pen tool (I was following a tutorial on making curved borders) which I also think is extremely difficult to use - I needs LOTS of practice with that one.

I would love to learn how to make shapes but I have taken so many classes here (and I'm waiting for the montage class to be offered) that I really don't think I can justify the cost for another class about element making just so that I could get the custom shape instructions - I rarely use elements in my layouts.

[mekstamper]

Boy - we all want to see this layout when it is done!!!!

You have gone miles beyond me at this point Andrea!!! LOL

[Meryl]

Oh yes Andrea we are all waiting to see this LO!! If it is the shape tool you want to learn (or any other PS basics for that matter) do look at Janee's Tuts (http://myjanee.home.insightbb.com/tutorials.htm) when I first got Photoshop I stumbled upon them and the best stumble I ever did - her tuts are clear, concise and never skip a step. I learned so much from her and still do.
You will see from her that even an hourglass is simply a collection of shapes.

[Emma]

yep, just a collection of shapes. If you have PSE you can do it by combining shapes with Add, Subtract, Intersect, Exclude. In PS you can do that as well as edit individual nodes.

If you only know how to draw raster shapes, you can do that. Then Ctrl-click the layer to select it. In the Paths Palette, click the icon: Selection to Path and you'll get a vector outline of your shape on which you can type or do whatever else with, like Define Custom Shape.

Let's walk you through the project. I'm sure there are tons of others wanting to use this tool who will benefit from this.

So, you want to make an hourglass shape? First start by finding the shape closest to it, either by extracting from a photo, or clip art, or custom shape, or combinging custom shapes. Then we'll work with it from there.

are you game?

[andyapc]

Emma! Have you ever known me to NOT be game for something?? If you throw a challenge at me, it is my nature to snatch it, chew it, chomp it up and spit it back with some akin to a result. :p

I'm game ... gotta pick my little one up at preschool (last day *sniff sniff*) and then hopefully can get back onto the computer this afternoon.

Name the place and time - I'll be there. Should we just do it through this forum??

[Emma]

please don't spit at me
I'm constantly covered in bodily fluids, either mine or my children, from various orifices, so I don't need any additions to my collection... :rolleyes:

Yeah, I'm thinking right here would be great. LMK when you get a starting shape or photo to work with, and we'll go from there, depending on what you find.

and stop the *sniff sniff* because it involves mucus, yet another bodily fluid we don't need around here

[Emma]

hey, I was only jokin' 'bout the bodily fluids, I know you can't reach me from there!

Had a chance to work on this yet?

[andyapc]

ugh - no - I haven't had a chance. Since my youngest is out of preschool, I don't have those precious 2.5 hours by myself that I had before. But ... I'm scheduling some playdates so hopefully I will have some time to myself soon. Thanks so much for offering to help Emma ... I really appreciate it. Hopefully I'll be posting something soon.