Using Type > Applying text effects > Attaching text to paths |
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Attaching text to paths
You can align text to a path that is open or closed, with curve or corner points. The text can be linked to other paths or text blocks. Type specifications of text attached to a path remain intact. You can apply transformations to text attached to a path as you would any other object.
Text flows along the top of a closed path and center-aligns by default. On an open path, only characters up to the first carriage return or tab appear. An indicator dot appears in the text's link box if the text overflows the path. Left-aligned text on a curved path is respaced automatically to avoid overlapping letters.
You can also make text flow inside a path; see Flowing text inside a path.
To attach text to a path:
1 |
Select a text block and a path. |
2 |
Choose Text > Attach to Path, or click the Attach to Path button on the Text toolbar.
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You can edit text directly on the path or use the Text Editor; see Using the Text Editor.
To place text on the top and bottom of an ellipse:
1 |
Position the Text tool in a text block at the point where the text should split between the top and bottom of the ellipse, and press Enter (Windows) or Return (Macintosh) to insert a carriage return. |
2 |
Shift-click to select the text block and an ellipse. |
3 |
Choose Text > Attach to Path. |
4 |
If necessary, do one of the following: |
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If the text disappears, choose Window > Inspectors > Object. In the Object inspector, choose None from both the Top and Bottom text alignment menus. |
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If the text flows in the wrong direction, Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Macintosh) the path to select it. Choose Modify > Alter Path > Reverse Direction. |
Note: FreeHand 10 does not adjust text on a path in files created in earlier versions of FreeHand unless you detach them and reattach them to the path. Left-aligned text attached to paths in FreeHand 10 retains the adjustment when opened in previous versions of FreeHand. For more information, see Detaching text from a path. |
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