Fitting text to a path

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

After you fit text to a path, you can adjust the text’s 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.

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

CorelDRAW text path dr Fitting text to a path

Text and curve as separate objects (top left); choosing a path with Fit Text to Path tool (top middle); aligning the text while fitting it to the path (top right); text fitted to path (bottom left); interactive feedback while setting offset distance (bottom middle); and stretching the text and the curve by 200% horizontally (bottom right).


To add text along a path

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Fitting text to a path
1.
 
Select a path by using the Pick tool CorelDRAW pgx pick tool Fitting text to a path .
2.
 
Click Text CorelDRAW onestep Fitting text to a path 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.

CorelDRAW note Fitting text to a path

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You can’t add text to the path of another text object.

CorelDRAW tip Fitting text to a path

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

To fit text to a path

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Fitting text to a path
1.
 
Select a text object by using the Pick tool CorelDRAW pgx pick tool Fitting text to a path .
2.
 
Click Text CorelDRAW onestep Fitting text to a path Fit text to path.
The pointer changes to the Fit text to path pointer CorelDRAW loc pgx text path cursor Fitting text to a path . 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.

CorelDRAW note Fitting text to a path

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Artistic text can be fitted to open or closed paths. Paragraph text can be fitted to open paths only.
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You can’t fit text to the path of another text object.

To adjust the position of text fitted to a path

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Fitting text to a path
1.
 
Using the Pick tool CorelDRAW pgx pick tool Fitting text to a path , select the text fitted to a path.
2.
 
Choose a setting from any of the following list boxes on the property bar:
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Text orientation — the angle at which the text sits on the path
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Distance from path — the distance between the text and the path
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Horizontal offset — the 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.

CorelDRAW tip Fitting text to a path

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You can also change the horizontal position of fitted text by selecting it with the Shape tool CorelDRAW pgx shape tool Fitting text to a path and dragging the character nodes you want to reposition.
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Using the Pick tool, you can move text along or off the path by dragging the red glyph that appears next to the text. When you drag the glyph along the path, a preview of the text is displayed. If you drag the glyph off the path, the distance between the text preview and the path is displayed.

To mirror text fitted to a path

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Fitting text to a path
1.
 
Using the Pick tool CorelDRAW pgx pick tool Fitting text to a path , click the text fitted to a path.
2.
 
In Mirror text area of the property bar, click one of the following buttons:
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Mirror horizontally CorelDRAW text mirror horiz Fitting text to a path — flips the text characters from left to right
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Mirror vertically CorelDRAW text mirror vert Fitting text to a path — flips the text characters upside down

CorelDRAW tip Fitting text to a path

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You can apply a 180-degree rotation to text fitted to a path by clicking both the Mirror horizontally and the Mirror vertically buttons.
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You can also mirror artistic text and paragraph text frames. For more information, see “To mirror text.”

To separate text from a path

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Fitting text to a path
1.
 
Select the path and the fitted text by using the Pick tool CorelDRAW pgx pick tool Fitting text to a path .
2.
 
Click Arrange CorelDRAW onestep Fitting text to a path Break text apart.

To straighten text

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Fitting text to a path
1.
 
Using the Pick tool CorelDRAW pgx pick tool Fitting text to a path , select the fitted text and the path.
2.
 
Click Arrange CorelDRAW onestep Fitting text to a path Break text apart.
3.
 
Using the Pick tool, select the text.
4.
 
Click Text CorelDRAW onestep Fitting text to a path Straighten text.

Fitting text to a path