Text on a Path with PS

by Christine Gundersen

I used Photoshop CS3 for this tutorial.

1. Create a path, any shape or size, that you desire.

2. Select the text tool and hover over the path, until the cursor turns to an I beam with a squiggle next to it, as shown below. If you can not see the path, check your paths palette to be sure that it is highlighted.

3. Click on the path and type the desired text, adjusting font, size, spacing and color as desired.

4. To adjust the text on the path, switch to the white head arrow found below the text tool.

5. The small x on the path, shows the beginning point of the text and the small o on the other end shows the ending point of the text. If you type beyond this small o, the last part of your text will not be seen. You will need to change the position, size, spacing or font to make it fit.

6. Also using the white head arrow (direct selection tool,) hover over the text and you will see an I beam with a solid arrow next to it. This allows you to pull the text to the other side of the curve, which will cause the text to reverse direction. Make sure that you watch where the small x and the small o are, or you may not be able to see the entire text. If you need to move the small x or o, switch to the black headed arrow (path selection tool). Using the direct selection arrow (white) will change the curve of your path.

You can turn off the line from the path by going into the paths palette and clicking on the empty area beneath the paths. Even if it is showing, it will NOT print.