Fit text to new shape

[krelvin]

I've used the mold tool before, but how do I get text to fit a shape that is not available in the tool? I assume I can create a new shape to use, but when I tried using it, I couldn't get it to use it.

[Christine Farrelly]

Mold's can only have 4 sides. That said you should be able to creat the shape you have without using more than 4 sides. Then it is just copy the shape and use paste mold.

You can also modify existing molds after they are applied using the shape editor tool.

Christine

[iamtheblues]

Type your text, and select it with the mold tool. On the info bar, choose Default Envelope and bring the bottom two node handles upwards as shown. I use a guideline for accuracy.
Saludos,
Bob.

[James Allen]

I've used the mold tool before, but how do I get text to fit a shape that is not available in the tool? I assume I can create a new shape to use, but when I tried using it, I couldn't get it to use it.

Hi krelvin,

Christine and Bob summed it up well, but I had some time to kill and I wanted to try out my new program (Camtasia Studio 7) so I thought this would be a good way. See the video of my example here:

http://www.globaldesigns.com/talkgra...nto-shape.html

Moulds like this only takes a few minutes. In the old days I used CorelDraw, but Xara is pretty quick so I prefer it. This is just my way, and everyone is different.

1) The guiding shape for the mould can be cut out using a circle and square

2) I don’t use lines around the fonts

3) Convert the text into curves and break it in half

4) Regroup each piece and align into the top left and right sides

5) Use the mould tool using the ‘default envelope’ which looks like a rectangle

6) Select nodes and raise, while holding down ctrl key (to keep it vertical).

7) Adjust the shape to suit, using nodes or the line mould curve itself

8) If any letters look strange you can edit them to suit afterwards


Good luck!

[gwpriester]

Have a look at Tony Roberts' Mould Shapes. There are two sets of custom envelope shapes at the bottom of this page. There are also instructions for how to copy the shapes, edit if necessary, and paste them onto other objects.

[Albacore]

Yes Gary, Tony's guest tutorial was one of the most successful tutorials on the Xone in my opinion. I have it still on my hard drive to remind me how to use the custom shapes and use the clipboard.

[handrawn]

very useful indeed