Fit text to a path

To add text along a path
To fit text to a path
To adjust the position of text that is fitted to a path
To mirror text that is fitted to a path
To separate text from a path
To straighten text

You can add artistic text along the path of an open object (for example, a line) or a closed object (for example, a square). You can also fit existing text to a path. Paragraph text in a text frame can be fitted to open paths only.

After you fit text to a path, you can adjust the text position relative to that path. For example, you can mirror the text horizontally, vertically, or both. Using tick spacing, you can specify an exact distance between the text and the path.

CorelDRAW treats text fitted to a path as one object; however, you can separate the text from the object if you no longer want it to be part of the path. When you separate text from a curved or closed path, the text retains the shape of the object to which it was fitted. You can also modify the text and path properties independently.

The text reverts to its original appearance when you straighten it.

Text and curve as separate objects (upper left), choosing a path with the Fit Text to Path pointer (upper middle), aligning text while fitting it to path (upper right), text fitted to path (lower left), interactive feedback about offset distance (lower middle), and text and curve stretched horizontally by 200% (lower right)

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When text fitted to a path is brought into Focus mode, the text object and the path are brought into focus together. Once in Focus mode, you can select and edit the text and the path separately. For more information about Focus mode, see Edit objects in Focus mode.

To add text along a path

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1 Using the Pick tool , select a path.
2 Click Text Fit Text to Path.
The text cursor is inserted on the path. If the path is open, the text cursor is inserted at the beginning of the path. If the path is closed, the text cursor is inserted at the center of the path.
3 Type along the path.

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Text cannot be added to the path of another text object.

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You can also fit text to a path by clicking the Text tool and pointing to a path. When the pointer changes to the Fit Text to Path pointer , click where you want the text to begin, and type.

To fit text to a path

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1 Using the Pick tool , select a text object.
2 Click Text Fit Text to Path.
The pointer changes to the Fit Text to Path pointer . By moving the pointer over the path, you can preview where the text will be fitted.
3 Click a path.
If the text is fitted to a closed path, the text is centered along the path. If the text is fitted to an open path, the text flows from the point of insertion.

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Artistic text can be fitted to open or closed paths. Paragraph text can be fitted to open paths only.

Text cannot be fitted to the path of another text object.

To adjust the position of text that is fitted to a path

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1 Using the Pick tool , select the text that is fitted to a path.
2 Choose a setting from any of the following list boxes on the property bar:
• Text orientation — specifies how the text bends to follow the path
• Distance from path — distance between the text and the path
• Offset — horizontal position of the text along the path

 

You can also
 
Use tick spacing to increase the distance between the path and the text in specified increments
Select the text. On the property bar, click Tick snapping, enable the Tick snapping on option, and type a value in the Tick spacing box.
When you move the text from the path, it moves in the increment you specified in the Tick spacing box. When you move the text, the distance from the path is displayed below the original text.
Change the horizontal position of fitted text
Using the Shape tool , select the text, and drag the character nodes that you want to reposition.
Move fitted text along or off the path
Using the Pick tool , drag the red glyph that appears next to the text.
When you drag the glyph along the path, a preview of the text is displayed. When you drag the glyph off the path, the distance between the text preview and the path is displayed.

To mirror text that is fitted to a path

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1 Using the Pick tool , click the text that is fitted to a path.
2 On the property bar, click one of the following buttons:
• Mirror text horizontally — flips the text characters from left to right
• Mirror text vertically — flips the text characters upside down

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You can apply a 180-degree rotation to text that is fitted to a path by clicking both the Mirror text horizontally and the Mirror text vertically buttons.

You can also mirror artistic text and paragraph text frames. For more information, see To mirror text.

To separate text from a path

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1 Using the Pick tool , select the path and the fitted text.
2 Click Object Break Text Apart.

To straighten text

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1 Using the Pick tool , select the path and the fitted text.
2 Click Object Break Text Apart.
3 Using the Pick tool, select the text.
4 Click Text Straighten Text.

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