Non-Rectangular Text Area

Hi,
Is it possible in Xara to create a non-rectangular text area? For example, I'd like to create circular or oval text areas.
Thanks.

I am moving this to the xara graphics chat forum

Hi IRBill, welcome to Talkgraphics!

The way to do this in Xara is to create a rectangle and then your circle or ellipse, make sure your ellipse or circle is placed over the rectangle select both and hit ctrl+4 to slice out the ellipse or circle from the rectangle. Discard the elliptical piece and you will be left with a rectangle with a hole in it. create your text in the usual way and send it to the back (ctrl +B) Right click the rectangle and select repel text under. You can now make your rectangle 99% transparent.

This is from the Xara Xone Tips and Tricks (archived) It can work with any irregular shape.

Quote:

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Can you place text inside of a circle? I would have said no, but Mickie Mason says, you bet you can! Add a series of evenly spaced lines that are the same width as the sides of the circle. Join the lines (Arrange > Join Shapes).

With the lines selected. click the Text Tool cursor in the top left corner of the first line and begin keying in your text. Xara may split some words where they do not want to split, simply place the text cursor before the split word and press the Spacebar a few times to move the word to the next line.

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I never knew that! I have learned something new today :D

Hi,

I came up with this method (see attached filed), it allows you to put text in any shape and have the text automatically flows even if you change the shape.

Excellent solution Grant.

You could probably increase the transparency to 99% which would make it entirely transparent, or make the repelling object the same color as the background.

This is pretty much the same method I suggested, only I suggested slicing instead of subtracting, but I'm glad you are able to get the results you needed. :)

When a picture on its own isn't worth a thousand words