Noob needs help...

[chiefyg]

I assume this is fairly mundane for the Illustrator veterans out there, but for me it presents quite a challenge. I want to take the image below and modify it so that instead of TAPOUT it spells TAPEOUT. What method would be recommended for doing something like this? Obviously the stylistic design of the E is subjective. Also, how believable a result should I expect to acheive?

Thanks!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s46/chieftang/misc/ST005.jpg

[SpugNothuson]

To make it a little easier for yourself rather than adjusting the image that you currently have, recreate it from scratch.

Use www.identifont.com (http://www.identifont.com) to find a font that is near to the one used and then with a little editting you should be able to get the word TAPEOUT looking right but obvioulsy it'll be on a nice straight line.

Then start messing with the other tools and filters to achieve the effect that you are after.

Finally you need to add a stroke and fill in the gaps between some of the letters.

Hopefully this has put you in the right gear to approach the job from a different angle.

[budafist]

I would draw an E and then trace the other letters around it to fit. I wouldn't use a font, easier to draw/trace everything.

[PrintDriver]

Where did the 'Tapout' come from and won't they be upset if you add an 'e' and use it for something else?

[morea]

^ that was my thought, too.

[chiefyg]

Oh, don't worry. This isn't for a commercial project of any kind. It's just for fun and learning. Spug, thanks for your unique suggestions.

[MD]

Spug is right recreating this should be easy.

Try Illustrators Warp Tools.
Effect > Warp - Then Use Arc Lower (With a negative percentage)
Object > Expand
Effect > Warp - Then Use Arc Upper (With a negative percentage)

For the outlines copy the tapeout art and play around with
Effect > Path > Offset path

[SpugNothuson]

Cheers MD, I knew someone would come along and put the right terminology into it.

I use so many flipping programmes I get confused as to which one calls them Paths, another one Outlines, another Curves. Silly things, some company needs to come along and set a Benchmark that everyone has to adhere to. Make my life a darn sight easier!

[chiefyg]

So here's a first cut. The art work needs to be cleaned up. But I wonder what everyone thinks about the E... should the top and bottom be curved? Is it sized right? Etc.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s46/chieftang/misc/TAPEOUT.jpg

[Samakimoto Graphics]

That's quite good, it could benefit from juxtapoing several options using the "E" for comparison. The size/height of the "E" relative to that of the "O" is visually off.

Needs a little tweeking to get that lower curve right. The tracing has messed about with the kerning of the letters, they're somewhat uneven.

[PrintDriver]

Definitely a slopy trace.
Also you might try a curved E. The blockiness in your current version draws attention to it in an ETAPOUT way.