chalk text

**jen0dorf** · 11 December 2006, 11:15 AM

Hi

I'm trying to create a chalk on blackboard graphic for a project. So a menu can be shown as on a blackboard.

Found a blackboard graphic but although I can find a brush which might be construed as chalk like I can't seem to apply it to my text.

Can someone tell me how?

thanks
Ian

**parahandy** · 11 December 2006, 11:37 AM

I experimented with blurring and feathering Ian

**salaam** · 11 December 2006, 11:51 AM

You could also try using a plugin.
This forum has a lot of plugin links.
Here is one:
http://www.littleinkpot.co.uk/FreePlugins.htm
I haven't tried it so I don't know if it is compatible with Xara.

Anas

**MarciaB** · 11 December 2006, 12:44 PM

Hello Ian, just draw or wright with the Freehand and brushtool (the Chalk brush), then ajust the line width and colour. You can modify and make lines more round or straight with the Shape editor tool.

**Intbel** · 11 December 2006, 01:05 PM

This also works quite well ...

1. Convert line to shape.
2. Add fractal plasma
3. Feather to taste ...

... and the text still remains editable.

**MarciaB** · 11 December 2006, 01:16 PM

Well Raymond, that's a good one, but I think mine's better

because in Real Life people use to wright on a blackboard and not print, ain't it? So Ian, choose me, choose me

**jen0dorf** · 11 December 2006, 04:28 PM

Thanks one and all, I know it's perhaps not in the spirit of graphics but the25th is approaching and my holiday!

Found this free chalk font and I post the address here in the hope that it will get someone else out of a hole!

http://www.1001fonts.com/font_details.html?font_id=1397

Cheers

Ian

**Xhris** · 12 December 2006, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by jen0dorf

Hi

I'm trying to create a chalk on blackboard graphic for a project. So a menu can be shown as on a blackboard.

Found a blackboard graphic but although I can find a brush which might be construed as chalk like I can't seem to apply it to my text.

Can someone tell me how?

thanks
Ian

I made a chalk brush specifically for this purpose some time ago along with a massive bunch of other brushes. It's located here, or here. Copy the Xar file into the ..\templates\brushes folder to have it load every time Xara starts and it will increase the default number of brushes available.

I've also made another chalk related brush called "chalk beat". I tried to simulate the imprint you get when you smack a chalk rubber on the board to spell out profanity before the teacher comes in.

Try using transparency on the original chalk brush to reduce the effect of pressure on the chalk line.