Making Text Follow a Path

Friday, September 05 2008

Paths are very useful in PhotoShop and have many uses. They can be hard to get used to at first, but like most things, the more you use them, the easier they become to work with. In this tutorial, we will be looking at how we can use the Pen tool to create Paths that we can then use for text to follow.

We are using Server Intellect and have found that by far, they are the most friendly, responsive, and knowledgeable support team we've ever dealt with!

As usual, we will start off with a blank canvas. We will choose the Pen tool and begin to draw a line we want the text to follow. We can either use the Freeform Pen tool, or the regular Pen tool. In this example, we will use the regular Pen tool and plot points. Once we reach our last point, we can press Escape to end the Path. It should look something like this:

Now we can choose the Convert Point tool () from underneath the Pen tools, and convert the points to curves, like so:

Now we can simply choose the Text tool and hover over the Path, you'll see the cursor change:

Now if we click while this cursor is showing, we can begin typing on our Path:

Yes, it is possible to find a good web host. Sometimes it takes a while. After trying several, we went with Server Intellect and have been very happy. They are the most professional, customer service friendly and technically knowledgeable host we've found so far.

Now if we go into our Paths Panel, we will see we have two Paths, both with the same thumbnail. The second one, with the description of the text we input, is now its own Path - we can delete the original one and use the text one to modify, if we need to. However, we will keep the original, just in case.

We can also created more adventurous Paths that text will follow, like so:

Notice that when we delete the original Path from the Paths Panel, we are no longer able to see it on the canvas - just the text is left. However, if we export the image to GIF or JPEG, the Path will not be visible as it is only a guide and not an actual element in the page.
Once the text has been positioned with a path, it is still editable and will still follow the path. However, you can only modify the Path itself if the original is still in the Paths Panel (I.E. is still visible on the canvas). Like so:

Using this method is useful if you want text to follow around an object - all you need to do is trace the object with a Path, and then let the text follow it! You won't see the Path, just the text following it, which will look like the text wrapping to the object you trace.

We chose Server Intellect for its dedicated servers, for our web hosting. They have managed to handle virtually everything for us, from start to finish. And their customer service is stellar.

Guys, please take a look at Server Intellect for Windows Web Hosting. I'm very pleased. You will be too. Take a look and see for yourself!

Comments

Becky Hayes said on 03/25/2009 at 10:49 AM

I may be using a version of Photoshop that doesn't allow this. I'm using Photoshop 7, the educational version. I use the pen tool, as directed, use the conversion tool, as directed to turn the spikes into curves, then click on the text tool and when I run my cursor over the path, nothing happens to the cursor. If I click to begin typing, the text goes straight across -- does NOT follow the curve. What am I missing here? I want to learn to do this, but the program isn't cooperating. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. Becky Hayes, Snowflake, AZ.

The Admin said on 03/25/2009 at 1:38 PM

Unfortunately Becky, I believe Adobe introduced this feature into PhotoShop at version 8 (CS).

mukmin said on 04/01/2009 at 9:51 AM

i dont find the convert point tool

TimmehXXL said on 05/03/2009 at 7:50 AM

Well actually i had this once at accident and i coulnd find how to do it again :) thx i know now

70-270 exam said on 12/11/2009 at 8:03 AM

nice effort

Rolex Milgauss said on 01/18/2010 at 12:53 AM

thanks for sharing your special ideas with us , thanks and regards to all.

replica watches said on 01/30/2010 at 2:13 AM

Wovvv, that's really great, I am happy to find it. Thanks for sharing it.

replica watch said on 01/30/2010 at 2:15 AM

Very good post. I appreciate the work you guys put in to make this world a better place for the disabled. Thanks!

m65 field jacket said on 02/28/2010 at 3:53 AM

good read thanks for the share

kamagra said on 02/28/2010 at 3:53 AM

thanks

Links of London Jewellery said on 04/06/2010 at 10:08 PM

After the mastectomies,I knew that one way to get myself going would be to start exercising again,so I headed for the local pool.In the communal shower,I found myself noticing other women‘s breasts for the first time in my life.Size-D breasts and size-A breasts,sagging breasts and perky breasts.Suddenly and for the first time,after all these years of missing a leg,I felt acutely self-conscious.I couldn‘t bring myself to undress.

Ed hardy said on 05/08/2010 at 1:52 AM

This is not the first of your posts I've read, and you never cease to amaze me. Thank you, and I look forward to reading more.

notebook battery manufacturer said on 05/11/2010 at 1:20 AM

Paths are very useful in PhotoShop and have many uses.

adidas outlet said on 05/24/2010 at 10:05 PM

In America many people have a romantic idea of life in the countryside. adidas shoes

Abercrombie & Fitch said on 06/01/2010 at 10:14 PM

thank you !

tiffany said on 06/03/2010 at 2:20 AM

Thank you very much!

Your article is very useful!

Nike Air Jordan said on 06/08/2010 at 12:02 PM

thanks

coach outlet stores said on 06/11/2010 at 5:28 AM

Useful information..

cheap coach handbag said on 06/11/2010 at 11:00 PM

one should be equipped with the right knowledge and skill in choosing which handbag would perfectly suit his or her lifestyle.

Hostess said on 06/20/2010 at 3:08 PM

I think about it and I can not forget how I tried this a few times with no luck at all.

Thanks to you I got it now.

parker pen said on 06/25/2010 at 3:24 AM

If you have a vintage pen and wish to sell it properly on ebay, with good description and sense of the market, please drop us a line at the email address noted below. I enjoy discussing vintage pens with collectors and enjoy looking at pics of nice vintage pens. This service is provided free of charge.

hollister uk said on 07/07/2010 at 11:07 PM

You may notice that the edges of the fireball are a little rough

Inchirieri masini said on 07/17/2010 at 7:42 AM

I like the way you explained so easy for us now to understand and follow. Thank you so much.

louis vuitton bag said on 07/21/2010 at 10:00 PM

louis vuitton bag

gucci bags said on 07/26/2010 at 6:09 AM

<a href="http://www.guccicn.net" title="gucci bags">gucci bags</a>

<a href="http://www.guccicn.net" title="gucci bag">gucci bag</a>

<a href="http://www.guccicn.net" title="gucci handbags">gucci handbags</a>

<a href="http://www.guccicn.net" title="gucci handbag">gucci handbag</a>

<a href="http://www.guccicn.net" title="discount gucci handbags">discount gucci handbags</a>

Abercrombie fitch outlet said on 07/29/2010 at 5:26 AM

thanks for letttin me know how to do dis i appreciate it

I love your site and the article is useful!