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Modeling > Text > Creating text surfaces
Creating text surfaces
A text surface is like any other 3D surface except that its shape is not defined by points; instead, it is based on a font.
You can translate, scale, or rotate a text surface, animate its parameters, include it in relations, animation, and interaction, but you cannot edit its points or change its shape using push or bend tools.
To create a text surface:
- Choose Modeling > Text.
- Enter the text in the Text Entry dialog that appears, then click OK.
- Select a font and a font style in the Font dialog that appears, then click OK. See Selecting Fonts.
Note: The size of the text is determined by its Scale value, the font size is not important.
The text appears in the center of the World and a text object appears in the World Explorer.
- Adjust the text parameters in the Parameter Editor. See Surface Text Parameters.
To adjust the size of a text surface:
Select the text object and do one of the following:
- Set its Scale parameter in the Parameter Editor.
- Turn on the Scale button or press E, then drag the text in a viewport.
To adjust the thickness of a text surface:
- Select the text object and expand the TextGeometry parameters.
- In the Parameter Editor, turn on Extrude.
- Scale the text along its Z axis. Press E to turn on the Scale tool, then Shift-drag the text using the right mouse button.
To manipulate text:
Select the text object and do one of the following:
- Turn on the Scale, Rotate, or Translate button or press E, R, or T, then drag the text in the viewports. To avoid accidentally selecting another object, hold the E, R, or T key while dragging the text.
- Adjust the Position, Orientation, and Scale values in the Parameter Editor.
Surface Text Parameters
Determines the position of the text in 3D space.The center of a text object is in the lower left corner of the first letter.
Makes the text outlines smoother. Also turn on anti-aliasing in the viewport to see the effect.
Displays only one side of the object. Turn off Single sided to see the inside and the outside of the object.
Converts the text to 2D overlay. See Creating text overlay.
Extrudes the text to give it thickness. To adjust the thickness, scale the text along its Z axis.
Determines how much the shape of the text can deviate from the original font shape. Increasing tolerance reduces the polygon count but it also reduces the quality of the text. Adjust the tolerance to get the right balance between quality and performance.
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