UGH!! Trouble with text on a path in PSCS2

[andyapc]

This is driving me crazy. I am trying to do text on a curve but my text is upside down and I can't get it right side up.

My curved shape is on the left hand side of my canvas, all along the left border.

How can I get my text to NOT be upside down? I would like it to run from the bottom left of my canvas, going upwards to the right all the way to the top of the curve. I'd like to be able to read it easily as I'm looking at my layout straight on. As it is right now, it's upside down and I would have to physically rotate my layout counter clockwise in order to easily read it.

Is there a fix to this? :(

oops - forgot to add the screenshot! sorry!

[Amanda]

I haven't done text on a curve before (cuz when do i ever get to scrap anymore????) but is it possibly the way you drew your path? Maybe you need to draw in from the other direction????

Just throwing out ideas here - cuz I really have no idea what I am talking about :)

[Happy2bhere]

After figuring out my circles on a path with your help, I thought, now to learn about this curvy paper I'm seeing everywhere.
I'd like to help with the text writing but didn't get that far yet. I'm stuck after I made my custom curvy shape. I can't figure out how to cut some paper with it so that I can write something on its edge.
Good Luck!
Happy

[Lisa Carter]

Text on a path:

when you place text on a horizontal path the text goes from left to right...just as if you were "writing" it on paper.

when you place text on a vertical path the text goes from top to bottom...just as if you were "writing" it on paper.

you can however switch the text to the other side of the path which would reversing the direction of the type making the text go from right to left or bottom to right (as if you turned your paper 180° and began to write)

**SEE ATTACHED IMAGES FOR VISUAL HELP**

NOW.....
if you need your text to be left to right but inside of a paper you have cut out using this path...Select that layer in you layers palette...Select your move tool and move it by either dragging to position or nudge it using your arrow keys.

HOPE THAT HELPS.....
Don't forget about DSU225 starting next month....this class teaches you the Path tools

[andyapc]

I think I got it to work! Thank you so much Lisa!!

And what do you mean, don't forget about your paths class? are you kidding? I CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT CLASS!!

[Lisa Carter]

Glad you got it figured out...I hope my post helped.

Let me know if you have more questions!!
Glad to help anyway I can

[Happy2bhere]

Oh, thanks for the reminder. I could learn a lot here.
Off to sign up!
Wendy

[andyapc]

JAGS!! I spoke too soon. My text had been on the outside of the path, all along the curve. Using the Path Selection Tool, I moved the text to the inside of the path, but it's automaticall placed on the opposite side of my path (to the upper left hand corner, instead of on the inside of the curve). And I don't know how to "move" it once it's inside my path. The Path Selection Tool doesn't move it, so I tried my text tool, deleting all the text, then using my space bar to get to my starting point, but then I can only type up to a certain point before I'm "blocked" - it's liked it gets blocked at a point which is a tiny little outline of a square - I'm guessing that's an anchor point, but how do I avoid it?

I've attached 2 screenshots.

[serena812]

I am trying to do something similar and following this thread and I am so confused. Where is the path selection tool? I am just starting with the pen tool and making myself crazy. I can't take the class next month because I will be moving (insert sound of me crying miserably) so I see no hope in sight.

[serena812]

I made my shape, created a path and typed on the path. To get the type on the other side I selected the area outside of shape, created a path and typed on the path. I think it works but am still playing.

[andyapc]

Serena ... thank you so much ... that was a great idea and I did get it to work.

But I would still like to be able to figure this out. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.

What I would really really prefer is that my text be on the outside of that path and read from bottom to top. I guess that's not possible??? If not, then I really need to know how to move it around once I get it on the inside of the path. WAAAAAAHHHHHHH. :(

[serena812]

Hi Andypac -

I am still trying to get it to work too. I just thought that we could use what I did as a quick solution in the meantime.

When I did the second step it did give me the type from top to bottom on the outside of the original path.

There never seems an end to the learning but that's part of the fun (and frustration :)).

[Lisa Carter]

your text on a path has a starting and ending point...you may need to adjust these spots in order for the text to fit.

To do this...use your path selection tool http://jagsgifts.com/tools/path%20selection%20tool.png (just above the pen tool in the toolbox)
When your cursor turns to http://jagsgifts.com/tools/beginning%20of%20text.png then you can adjust the beginning position of your text, either up, down or on the other side of the path.
When your cursor turns to http://jagsgifts.com/tools/end%20of%20text.png can adjust the end position of your text, either up, down or on the other side of the path.

MOVING CURSOR TO OTHER SIDE OF PATH WILL FLIP THE TEXT

Again...you only have 4 choices for direction: (see my Attached Image in previous post)
VERTICAL: top to bottom (this is always on the right (outside) of your path)
bottom to top (this is always on the left (inside) of your path)

HORIZONTAL: left to right (this is always on the top of your path)
right to left (this is always on the bottom of your path..upside
down)

If you want your text going VERTICAL: bottom to top...but want the text outside of your filled in path...You will have to adjust the position of your text in the layers palette, via the move tool. Select the text layer, select the move tool and use your Arrow key to move text. (depends on which direction you need to go as to which direction arrow key you need to press)

Answering Path tool questions is very very hard in the forum...I hope that you can get a basic understanding of what I am telling you here.
I highly suggess DSU225 if you want to LEARN you path tools.

Again..I am happy to help at any time!!
Hopefully this didn't confuse you too much

[Meryl]

JAGS!! I spoke too soon. My text had been on the outside of the path, all along the curve. Using the Path Selection Tool, I moved the text to the inside of the path, but it's automaticall placed on the opposite side of my path (to the upper left hand corner, instead of on the inside of the curve). And I don't know how to "move" it once it's inside my path. The Path Selection Tool doesn't move it, so I tried my text tool, deleting all the text, then using my space bar to get to my starting point, but then I can only type up to a certain point before I'm "blocked" - it's liked it gets blocked at a point which is a tiny little outline of a square - I'm guessing that's an anchor point, but how do I avoid it?

I've attached 2 screenshots.

Jags has given you the correct way, with lovely pictures of how to move the text - but I'm wondering if the "blocked' text is that you have not got the correct text alignment? I remember battling with this once - in the text palette look under paragraph? change some of those and see what happens?

[Emma]

I didn't read this as thoroughly as I should before answering, but have you tried adjusting the leading (line spacing) to get the text above or below the line as desireed without actually moving it? Moving it causes it to flip over or realign sometimes, but just the leading provides fine control once you get it mostly right.

[andyapc]

Thank you everyone! Got it to work, following Lisa's suggestions - thank you!!!

Meryl & Emma - changing the leading & alignment is usually the first thing I check when I'm having problems with text - in this case, it helped a little to make my text look better, but it didn't solve the problem.

BTW - does anyone know if 85 is the automatic default tracking setting in the character palette? or does it depend on the font?

[Lisa Carter]

Andy....another way....which might be easier is to adjust the BASELINE SHIFT to a negative number in your Character Palette.

[Starling]

I can't wait for the end of the week! Paths have just been impossible to learn on my own and I've registered for the class and can't wait for the first lesson.

[Happy2bhere]

Andy and Starling -
I'm in the class to and can't wait! :) :) :) :) :)

[Lisa Carter]

YIPPEE!!

I am glad to hear that you all will be in the class. I am looking forward to teaching you these wonderful tools!!
Talk with you on the 1st!!

[Rosemary]

Lisa! Thanks for your tips for text on a path, worked beautifully! This reminds me that I have signed p for your class but not even looked at it yet!! Must get my rear in gear before the end of the month!