curved text block

[lavaspit]

Im trying to lay text into a curved block. imagine a donut-like shape cut into a quarter. How would I do this in CS2? Ive tried arc effects but its not accurate. I dont want to draw text lines by hand.

[resdog]

Which program?

Illustrator: choose the circle tool, draw the curve. Choose the text tool, press alt and click on the edge of the circle. Type your text around the curve.

Photoshop: with the pen tool, draw the curve, or circle. then choose the text tool and click on the pen line.

Is that what you are looking for?

[urstwile]

I think you might mean Object>Envelope Distort>Make with Top Object, where the top object is the shape you want to use for the type, and the type underneath that object. Select both objects and use the above.

[lavaspit]

Default
I think you might mean Object>Envelope Distort>Make with Top Object does not work with all fo the shapes I need on this arc. Also, this panel is comprised by two arcs of differign radii. (See attached)

To recap: I need to round the corners of the interior graphic shapes to make sense withthe larger CNC panel. I then need to lay blocks of type that curve with with the shape apropriatley.

[JustAGuy]

If you make a text-path with a top-width of radius 1 en a bottom-width of radius 2

A shape like this (very rudamentary):
[_\

Then do the same thing urst said. The textsize is the same in the newly enveloped text-path.

I hope this helps!

[Broacher]

Actually, Corel has got AI beat for envelope shaping-- which it's done for well over a decade now. But AI's pretty close. Don't forget to check out all the little control options though.

Another one that sometimes gives better results in AI is to convert the text to an art brush and stroke the curve with it. Again, more options to play with too.

[lavaspit]

Thanks guys, Ill try that. Since the inner shapes are already curved I cant get a round corner effect to work. any idea how i can do this (so that they mimic the outer CNC shape).

Thanks.

[PrintDriver]

A lot of pathfinder, releasing of compound paths, inlining paths and copying of shapes comes to mind.
Think like a sign guy, in layers, rather than broad shapes.

I can't really help you any more than that without actually seeing the file. And I don't want to do that.

[lavaspit]

Uh...yeah, a lot of stuff comes to mind for me too.

Thanks?