Converting fonts to a curve or path

[scotiarules]

Hey folks! Haven't posted for some time but I have gotten alot of great info here so thanks for that.

I am converting fonts to a curve or path in Illy for printing purposes but I have never done this before. I did some searching and came across this info saying the following ...
Use the Text Tool http://www.sambodata.com/images/itex.gif to add the numeral as artistic text. Use a font similar to that used in the logo. With the text selected right click and select Create Outlines. Right click again and select Ungroup. Right click one more time and select Release Compound Path. We can now use the Direct Selection Tool http://www.sambodata.com/images/idst.gif to tweak the curve until it's a close match to the original. We have now finished tracing our logo. Delete the bitmap, select the four paths and right click. Select Make Compound Path. This combines the four paths into one compound path.

Is this correct? Thanks all in advance for any help!!

[AlexNJ210]

you are thinking about simply converting fonts to paths. This is simple and there are a few ways to do it. The directions you have are basically correct, except it ads more that just relates to that particular tutorial's example.
Type tool, (type what you want how you want it (caps or not, font style,)
Selection tool (black arrow) select the text
CRTL+SHIFT+O (COMMAND MAC) or Object menu>create outlines
Viola
The compound paths arent necessary to convert the text to a path.

[scotiarules]

Soo creating them to a path just follow those few steps. Perfect! That makes my life alot easier ;-)

Now is that the same as converting them to a curve? The reason I ask is the printing company said they would prefer that the fonts were converted to curves but paths would do.

Thanks for the info! You rock!

[AlexNJ210]

not sure what you mean by "curves". They might mean to "vector" but are just using a different term. Vector art work or (paths) are lines and shapes that are created by the program based on mathematical equations, NOT pixel dimentions. So you always get crisp quality at any size and editing is a snap. Text on screen is not pixel based or vector based(in the way paths are). When you convert the text to outlines(computer graphics term) the program converts the text shapes to exact copies based on vector format. Now the text is essentially a bunch of shapes rather than letters that you type. Anyway, youre welcome.
oh and uh welcome to the GDF

[scotiarules]

They must mean vector cause when they asked for the image to be sent to them they said it needed to be a vector image. I'm relatively new at all this and still learning. I never even considered the fonts so now I know. Thanks for shedding some light there!! :-)