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June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
June is blossoming with new tips and techniques! Get into the Mould tool and see how to lay text in perspective over photos to "write" your own novel! Gary shows you how in the June 2012 Tips and Tricks tutorial, Using Text As A Shape.
Study it here and then come and back and show us your shapes!
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
I didn't use a photo, instead I used a vector illustration that I already had from a project I did for a family photo album once. The font I used is Mayflower Antique (a Dieter Steffman font) that goes quite well with the book.
Attachment 90297
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Hi Frances—
If no one is thrilled with the photograph of the blank book, let me offer a render. Click to expand the view of the jpeg, and then right-click to download it.
Attachment 90299
What I'm trying to demonstrate in this month's bonus tutorial is perspective, and as a secondary consideration, lighting. I'd like members to learn how to blend text into a scene, not simply add to existing content.
I try not to create easy tutorials. Not impossible or lengthy ones, either. But this one here will serve you well to learn when you need to add something photorealistic into a scene, in this case text and perhaps an illustration.
My Best,
Gary
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Ok here is another try. I've used your render as I don't happen to have a blank book handy at the moment. I think this one is more in the spirit of the tutorial! ;))
The spirit bear artwork to some improvising to get it looking right and I'm still not completely happy with it. This was a very complex vector drawing that takes time just to load never mind mold, so my solution was to create a bitmap copy at 300dpi and I used the perspective mold to get the perspective to match the page. However the image was too square, it didn't match the curve of the page. Unfortunately Xara's envelope molds don't mold bitmaps so I went to a tool that can warp them, the liquid colour filter. This was fiddly, as I had to do a series of edits kind of trial and error to get it to look right.
I wish the liquid filter had an option to show your page behind the image you are editing this would make doing this kind of thing much easier.
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Much more to the spirit of the tutorial and a wonderful effort and example, Frances.
I didn't (and don't) recommend fooling with bitmaps when trying to conform a fake page to the angle and slope and curvature of a book page, for precisely the reason you encountered.
However, you could auto-trace bitmaps so the area to be Moulded is all vector, and as far as alignment goes, setting the group to partial transparency as you work, and then finally restoring opacity, lets you look under the design to the book area underneath.
I think it's quite an effect and have often used it in a composition. Here's one dating back to 1996:
Attachment 90327
I think modeling the book helped me envision the perspective needed to add text. If anyone uses a modeling program (such as Blender or Poser), I've attached the model I created to render the book. Pose it, render it, have fun with perspective and Xara's Mould tool!
My Best,
Gary
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Thanks Gary, I've downloaded the 3D file and will take a look at it in Blender later. I tried the bitmap trace route with the spirit bear and I still wound up with a complex amount of shapes that was slow to mold. Perhaps if I had more time to play with the tracer settings I would have been able to get a better result.
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
This is slightly off-topic:
If you need to visualize something in Xara, in addition to just plain taking a photo and putting on a layer to trace over, there's also a useful, extremely simple-to-use site 3DTin.com. The management want you to register, but you can use a Facebook or Google account and get in and to work in about 30 seconds without supplying yet another site with personal info.
All I did was choose from some preset models and move, rotate and scale them. If this looks like it has potential as part of an illustration, to me, it's certainly an easy way to get a handle on drawing with perspective.
Attachment 90331
-gary
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Well I had some fun with the book, thanks for sharing your model Gary. Because I needed to go into the node editor anyway to set the materials to display in blender I decided to create some new materials of my own to give the book a whole new look. I posed and lit the book on a different angle.
Here is an old book of quotes, and I have included my blank rendered image of Gary's book for anyone who would like to use it
Attachment 90334 Attachment 90335
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
I have another idea for this month's theme, perspective, if I get anyone who wants to learn this stuff in addition to Frances! :)
Would anyone like to learn how to put signage on the side of a commercial building, that was photographed at an angle (in perspective)?
—gare
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Quote:
Would anyone like to learn how to put signage on the side of a commercial building, that was photographed at an angle (in perspective)?
Yes please, I haven't had a chance to try out this tutorial yet but it looks good and I could do with learning more about how to use the mould tool effectively.
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Same reply as Xtom. I read the tut. and have followed Frances's progress but for the life of me can't get the text on the page as she has done. So some extra curriculum on the mould tool would be great. :D
Stygg
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Okay: There are two different modes for the Mould tool. I ran through the Envelope mode in the page layout tutorial, but a simpler mode—Perspective—can and is used to create text and graphics on planar surfaces.
Attachment 90337
In the attached Xara file, I locked the photo and roughed out a few areas in red dashed lines where a good sign could go. "Used Cars", "Stygg's Brewery -Free Samples", "Save the whales", you get the idea. What you do is create a roughly rectangular sign, and then use the freeform Perspective mode of the Mould tool to line up the four sides just inside of the dashed lines.
You can delete my own sign. In fact, you should, to use the brick wall area.
My Best,
Gary
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
On the old book of quotes I used the perspective mold to get the perspective I wanted quickly and then I deviated from the tutorial a bit. Over the page I drew a rectangle and sent behind the text. This rectangle needs to be longer than your text to give room above and below. I made this rectangle 99% transparent and grouped it with the text. I then went to the live effects > distortion> liquid colour with the draw selected and a large brush I gently pushed and pulled to get the text to conform to curves of the page.
The transparent rectangle gives you extra room to manipulate your group without the edges getting chopped off.
I like the sign on the wall idea I'll have a go at it later, when I have time to play!
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
There's another way to get perspective text seated within a space, although it's similar to what you mention, Frances.
Look at the target area, and then try to visually create a rectangular shape that's approximately the same dimensions. Give the rectangle no fill and a thin contrasting outline width. Add your design work, simplify stuff like Contours if you use them, and then group everything.
Then use the Perspective mode. When you're done, select inside the group (hold Ctrl and click with the Selector tool), and delete the original rectangle.
Attachment 90341
Play with the attached file.
My Best,
Gary
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
I had fun with the add signage file. :)
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Loki the SouthWestern Native American Trickster, eh?
Love it, Bill. And I see you went the extra step of using an image file of noise to mux up the lettering.
By the way, it's okay to take the dashed lines out of the finished file, friend! :)
Also, folks, use blending modes when you do this stuff and don't be afraid to use the fractal types to mess with the transparent areas, thus adding visual complexity.
When stuff is too perfect, it looks fake. The world is a visually complex place...pay homage to it!
-g
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Hey, the black sign in the photo is partially hiding a really prime location in the image for another title in perspective.
So I retouched it out.
Attachment 90344
download and play with this file if you like.
Gary
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Thanks Gary.
Still on a nostalgia kick, so I thought an old fashioned 5 & Dime store would be nice.
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
I decided to give the Cereal box a go. I ran into trouble with this one something about the bowl of cereal is causing program errors and that bowl of cereal will not mold but I persevered and here is what I came up with.
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Yes please, I would be interested to see how you do it.
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
@Bill—Now that's a lot of fun, man.
A word about the photo, which Barbara took. We had an armory downtown, I think a lot of cities have such an area, mostly in disrepair. But here in Syracuse, some rent and renovations deals turned the place into an artist's haven. Fancy restaurants, an iMax theater, and the tenants paid careful attention to preserve the architecture. So that might be why you're getting nostalgic vibes, Bill.
I swear, if I ever had to fake a brief scene in a movie of the Upper West Side in Manhattan, I'd do it in Armory Square. I was a Manhattanite for 17 years; trust me, I know the architecture and the two are very, very similar.
@Frances—Nice! Very ambitious, but worth it, no?
Okay, here's another blank 'un. A supermarket chain? A moving van? You decide! Put your design skills to work and the tips I passed along with the logo tutorial in May.
Attachment 90355
My Best,
Gary
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
I had a go at the truck, I couldn't resist!
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Nothing fancy here just practice with the mould tool with text, looks like I need a lot of practice! This image is really good for practice as I see the lorry will be, sorry, truck :D
Stygg
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Frances and Stygg—
You want to practice caution that the text isn't too wide, distorted, you know?
When text looks stretched, it provides a clue to the viewer that something tricky has been going on.
And retouching should be outrageous, but invisible.
It's a matter of degrees, just a little more practice, eh?
@Stygg— I thought a lorry is a step-up van. Does the term apply to all trucks, even 18 wheelers, as we call that one in the image?
-g
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
That's what we tend to call all trucks, depends sometimes where you live in England, but if you were telling someone you'd just seen a really big truck, 18 wheeler, most would say a juggernaut. As for vans, the most disliked lot in England, the dreaded white van man, they just run you off the road in their dash delivering. Fun place Britain for driving :D Almost forgot, thanks for the feedback, will practice more on the two images, not as simple as it seems using the mould tool.
Stygg
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Fun place indeed, Stygg.
I've also noticed in the Bond flicks, that you blokes drive on the wrong side of the street.
That causes accidents, doesn't it?
<big grin>
Seriously: a friend of mine from NSW just moved to France, and boy oh boy, is she having a time trying to remember to drive on the right side of the street. I'd think the position of the steering wheel in the cab would be a hint.
-g
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
No, no no, we drive on the correct side of the road, its you yanks on the wrong side. :D
Stygg
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
May our paths never meet, Stygg.
At least not head-on.
:)
-g
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
True, then it would be see you on the other side!!! :D
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
The other side is the whole reason the chicken crossed the road, I'm given to understand.
Here's another "blank scene", very easy to embellish using only the Perspective, not the Envelope mode of the Mould tool, although working with the Envelope is a valuable education in and of itself.
Attachment 90364
-g
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Gary could you tell me, in this truck image, is the moulded text suppose to run with the angle of the background? The trouble is, it gives the appearance that the company name runs up at an angle as such, but in real terms, when I see this truck on the road the name Eddie Stobart is perfectly parallel, straight along the truck. :confused:
Stygg
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Here's a file that should help and actually be of a lot of value in the future.
I created a lot of cells and then used Perspective to put a grid as an overlay on the truck.
Is this easier to use and follow now, Stygg?
I use grids for perspective all the time in drawings. Ya gotta put some faith in a technique that's been around since 5th century B.C., shown in architectural drawings uncovered in Greece.
Attachment 90370
My Best,
Gare
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
...and yet another. This one requires that you work with the Envelope mode of the Mould tool.
Attachment 90373
-g
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Thanks for the grid Gary, last nuisance image I promise but this is what I meant by have a problem with. Thanks for your patience :)
Stygg
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Shopping bags and coffee sounds like fun :) I'll have a go at these soon. One thing I have found is that if you are going to mold vector groups be sure NOT to use the shadow tool or the group will not be moldable. All shadows must be vector shapes.
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
There are several things you can't include in a group you want to apply a Mould to.
So Keep It Simple, Silly. If you feel a design needs a drop shadow, add it after you've Moulded your vector art. Bitmaps effects such as bevels, contours, special stuff won't allow itself to be Moulded.
This is sophisticated composition work, so take your time and strategize before you design.
-g
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Making a grid does really help Gary, thanks for the tip. I made this grid to see how much it improved my text mould, it sure did, not perfect but getting there. :D
Stygg
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
It's all good, stygg.
Now go get yourself some nice typefaces! Ya can't use Arial all the time :)
You got the tune. Now make it sing.
-g
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
Locally we call the type of truck shown in the image a 'boxtruck'. Only 10 wheels rather than 18 and the cab and cargo area are mounted on the same frame.
Performance Food Group supplies some restaurants and cafaterias in the local area.
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Re: June 2012 Tips and Tricks - Using Text as a Shape
You have the perspective nailed, Bill.
I'd like to see, though, some air around the signage. I don't think people paint or put clingies that close to the edges of a surface.
My Best,
Gare