How to add text to curved paths (or any path) using Paint Shop Pro

Here’s a quick little text tutorial that will demonstrate how to add text to curved paths (or any path) using Paint Shop Pro. You can create your own paths and/or trace a path on an image using the pen tool, or use the preset shapes built into Paint Shop Pro. Adding text to paths can allow for your designs and projects to become more dynamic and eye catching. We often see a lot curved text designs in company logos, movie posters, postcards, calendars, signatures, avatars, etc. If you haven’t discovered yet, how to add text path to your projects, then you may find this technique beneficial and/or fun. The path your text takes is up to you :) Let’s get started.

Step 1

Select one of the preset vector shapes and/or use the pen tool to draw a custom vector path. Note: Make sure “create on vector” is checked.  Also, if you don’t want the shape to be filled with a background color make sure you set the background to transparent in the materials palette.

Step 2

After you have your vector shape complete, select the text tool. Hoover the crosshair of the text tool anywhere over the edge of the shape. The text tool crosshair will change to the image below which represents that you want to write text to that particular area of the path.

Step 3

Next, left click on your mouse to begin writing the text. Note: Make sure the path symbol is active under the “text crosshair” before you left click, otherwise the text will not be applied to the path of the shape.

Step 4

Once your text is complete you can turn off the visibility of the shape you used to write the text by expanding the vector layer, and toggling off the original shape.

Step 5

That’s it. Remember, you can also convert the vector to a raster layer by right clicking the vector layer in the layers palette, and then selecting Convert to Raster Layer. Converting to a raster layer will allow you to apply effects, such as drop shadows to your text.

January 6, 2009 · Filed Under Beginner, Skill Set, Tutorials Text, Tutorials: All

posted by torQQue

Comments

17 Responses to “How to add text to curved paths (or any path) using Paint Shop Pro”

  1. Julia on January 7th, 2009 3:35 am

    Thanks so much for creating this blog. This has been on my google reader for sometime, keeping up to date with what you are producing. My father gave me PSP for christmas, so I am now using your blog as my primary base for learning. Many thanks x

  2. Kim on January 7th, 2009 11:42 am

    Thank you so much, I’ve been wondering how to do this… I’ll credit you when I make stuff =)

  3. torQQue on January 7th, 2009 7:57 pm

    Julia,

    You are very welcome. I am glad this site is helping you out. I wish I could devote even more time to the site than I currently am. Hopefully, in a few months I should have the time to post two or three tutorials a day.

  4. torQQue on January 7th, 2009 8:05 pm

    Kim,

    No problem. I appreciate your gratitude. You don’t have to give me any credit, however, I would appreciate if you help spread the word around about paintshopblog.com and paint shop pro in general.

    thanks,

    torQQue

  5. Yose3 on January 7th, 2009 9:10 pm

    niceee but it prety simplee

  6. nita on March 8th, 2009 1:49 am

    arbenita ndrecaj

  7. Brandon on April 25th, 2009 5:57 pm

    I am using Corel Pain Shop Pro Photo X2, and I cant seem to find out how to start the first step. Where is the box that says that?

  8. thedailydigi.com » Blog Archive » The Long and Winding…Path? Part 1 on May 7th, 2009 4:06 am

    [...] Paint Shop Pro [...]

  9. Dopapier on July 16th, 2009 7:38 am

    I find the Corel learning centre rather obscure so it has been wonderful to find your tutorials. So clear, so practical. Thanks ever so much.
    David

  10. M on August 13th, 2009 3:22 pm

    The pen is on your very left. Third one counting up.

  11. Miss37 on October 22nd, 2009 11:58 am

    They have opened the job as a full-time position, which means my temp job will no longer exist and I have to apply for the full time one. ,

  12. how to create a Rocker banner w/ text ? - T-Shirt Forums on December 16th, 2009 5:04 am

    [...] Re: how to create a Rocker banner w/ text ? Ok, I see what you mean now. Here’s a little tut I found that should give you the basic idea of it. How to add text to curved paths (or any path) using Paint Shop Pro | Paint Shop Blog [...]

  13. kymali on January 26th, 2010 11:36 am

    Thank you so much. I was searching high and low for a tutorial to make a shaped text path.

  14. Nikki on February 7th, 2010 3:55 pm

    Thank You for this TUT. I’ve been looking for something to show me how to do this. But I’m having a little trouble finding the box to check “show nodes” and “create on vector” I’m using PSP Photo X2. TIA :)

  15. jane on March 11th, 2010 8:13 pm

    Thanks, for the tut. I try to do it in pspx2. I did the part 2. and when I start typing text the text does not shows. What is tool crosshair. I’m new to PSPX2 and very lost. I don’t want to give up. Please help.

    thanks
    janie

  16. jane on March 11th, 2010 8:40 pm

    O.k. finally I found were to click and I did it.

    Thanks so much or the tut.

    janie

  17. Roy on March 11th, 2010 11:43 pm

    Excellent been looking for something like this for ages.. Your a life saver thank you :)

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