PSP 9 Questions

[jaye]

Ok I've been obsessing over PSE for a while now and have learned some new things (still have a lot to learn but now I'm bored).

I love the text paths people create and now you can't do it in PSE. I had PSP on my computer a long time ago and deleted it because it looked really confusing. I just reinstalled it and made a text path but here are my questions:
1. How do you delete the shape outline so only your text shows?
2. Are there other shapes you can use?
3. How would you type text in, say a swirl pattern?
4. What format do you save in so it can be opened in PSE?


Thanks :smile:

[~Cathi~]

I use PSP9 and I'm still learning every day. I've done text to curve once and for the life of me can't remember how I got rid of the shape, and I've never tried any shape other than a circle.. I did find a tutorial once for text to curve, but not sure if I can post it here (being an outside link and all)..

[jaye]

thanks Cathi, I was going to google it but didn't get around to it. Being lazy and hoping someone can pop in and say 'oh yeah, you do this and this', lol.

[Jennifer]

Jo-IM me when you get a chance, I think I found a few ways to do them in PSE!

[jillzey]

Find and bookmark Suz's Place, Suz Shook's PSP Tips & Tricks website. It is a gold mine of information on PSP for versions 7, 8 ,9, X, XI and XII. She has a very through tutorial on "Text On A Path in PSP 9" that should answer all your questions. I'm not sure if a link is allowed but Google should find it for you easily.

Another good source for knowledge and help with PSP is the Corel Newsgroups, accessable from the Corel site. There are some very knowledgeable, experienced and helpful people there.

As for your questions...

1. How do you delete the shape outline so only your text shows?
The text and shape are separate objects that are linked. Until the text is converted from vector to raster it will revert to a straight line if the shape is deleted. You don't delete the shape, you make it invisible in the layers palette.

2. Are there other shapes you can use?
Any vector shape can have text fit to it's path.

3. How would you type text in, say a swirl pattern?
By finding or creating a vector swirl pattern to fit the text to. This was actually discussed in the Corel newsgroups at one time. I'll see if I can find my notes for you.

4. What format do you save in so it can be opened in PSE?
Since I have only rarely used PSE I'm not sure of the best answer here. I think I would save a copy of my shaped text as a png file to use in PSE. That will "freeze" the shape. If any editing of the text was needed, I'd go back to PSP and do it there. As long as you save the original file in PSP as a layered PSPimage file with the vector shape and text layers intact you can make changes.

HTH,
Jill

[jaye]

Thank you Jill!!!
Now I just noticed it turned all my jpeg's into psp files, my digifiles, pictures everything.....arggghhhhh. Think this was why I deleted in the first place and went ti PS.

Jen I'll be buzzing you in a sec, gotta get my coffee

[jillzey]

Jaye, I've never known PSP to CHANGE files, but it will associate all your graphics files with PSP (meaning that if you double clicked on a jpg file PSP would open with the file). That's just an arrogant and annoying habit most graphics programs have of taking over file associations when you install a program. You can control file associations in Windows. I have set my file associations to Windows Picture and Fax Viewer because it's a small program and opens quickly. If I double click on a graphic file I just want to look at it quickly. If I want to open it and work on it, I open the program first and open the file from within the program.

Jill

[jaye]

I used the wrong word, it didn't change it, associated them yes. How do I change it back to windows picture and fax viewer? I agree I want them to open quickly, not wait for a whole programme to open up.

Thanks again for your help. Right now I'm really loving PSE even more.....PSP has me all confused, lol.

[jillzey]

Basically, in My Computer or Windows Explorer, just right click on a file of the type you want to change the association for, choose "Open with..." click on "Choose Program" and pick the program from the list. Before you click OK, put a check mark by "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file"

Of course, all this assumes you're using windows, but since I don't think there is a version of PSP for Mac I guess it's a fairly safe assumption. :icon_biggrin:

Jill

[jaye]

yep, windows xp. thank you so much for your help :smile: really appreciate it.

[VanessaF]

Creating text on a curve is really quite simple. It is basically wrapping your text around the outline of a vector shape.

To start with create your vector shape. This can be any vector shape. When doing this I prefer to use just the outline of the vector rather than have it filled.

Then click on your text tool, select the type and size of font that you want to use and place your text tool cursor over the point on your shape where you want your text to start from. You should see the cursor change from a normal text cursor to one with a curve underneath it.

Type your text and apply the changes.

Now go to your vector in the layers palette and click on the "+" sign to expand it. You will see two object in the vector layer, your text and the shape.

Click on the shape and "X" out the eye and your shape will disappear. Now convert it to a raster layer and voila - you have your text but no shape.

Quite easy really. Hope this helps.