by special request . . .

creating text on a path isn't difficult, but hard to figure out at the beginning.  Like everything else, it's a matter of steps.

Let's start!  I have my graphics ready for the text and I want the text to run in a wave.  You don't know how long I wanted this ability before it was added to PSP6.

Step 1
Add a new layer to your image.

Step 2
Name the layer whatever relates, I named mine 'text'.

>Step 3
You will use the draw tool.  Click on it now.

Step 4
Now we will use the Tool Options box to check the settings so that they match the image below.
                     PSP7                                                                         PSP6

Step 5
Now we will set the fills and colors for the text.

In PSP7, one setting will take care of it.  Set the top styles selector to the pattern, paint, or gradient you want to choose for the text.
     PSP7 setup

PSP6 needs a few more settings,
PSP6 setup
first click on the fill tool the open the Tool Options box and make your choice of fill styles.

then select the pattern source (pattern image must be open in PSP6)

If using a pattern or gradient, it will help you a lot if Match mode is set to None so that when it comes time to fill with the pattern, you will only have to click in ONE of the letters to fill all of them.

the choose white as your 'fill' color.

Step 4
With the 'draw tool selected, draw a line at any angle to achieve the slant you want or straight across for horizontal.

Step 5
Where you click depends on how much wave you want;  the farther above or below the existing line - the more curve;  the shape of the curve will depend on how far away from the end of the line you click - the farther away the milder the curves.
I'm going for a 'slight' curve and wave.  You always do the end where you started the line first - I went left to right with the line, so I do the left end first.  The X shows where I clicked.  The x on the right is approximately where I will make my right end click.  Can't show it easily as the second you click there, it creates the wave.

this is the wave I created.

helpers you can use if you want to.

Step 6
Prepare for the text tool to be used.  Click on the text tool.

PSP7 setup
on your 'styles' selector, click on the arrowed 'L' shaped to switch your pattern, gradient or fill from the top box to the bottom one.  This is the only preparation step for PSP7.

PSP6 setup
We have already set PSP6;  nothing to change here.

Step 7
You are now ready to find your mark.  If you run across the vector (curved) line slowly a few times you will see the cursor switch back and forth between your regular cursor and  cursor with a little 'A' in an bowed line on the corner of it.  Mine looks like this because my settings are set for precision tools - regardless of what you regular cursor looks like, the little rockin' A will be on it when you are on your mark to click for the text editor.  When you see the little rockin' A, stop and click.

Step 8
Again, we have version differences.

In PSP7 you see this;  no changes required - choose your font, choose your size, type your text and click the OK.

In PSP6, you see this;  match the settings on the right, choose white for your font color; choose your font, choose your size and click OK.

Step 9
In PSP7, you have created your filled text and at this point you are able to add blading, drop shadows and drag the text around the page for final placement at this point before we drop the text.

In PSP6, what you have at this point differs in that you will see white text outlined and ready to be flood filled with whatever you chose earlier using the fill tool (bucket);  then you will be able to do your blading, drop shadows and drag the text around the page for final placement.

Step 10
When you are happy with the text, it's time to drop the text from the vector layer to the lower raster layer of the image.  Using the Selections menu, choose Select none.

You will get the window unless it's been shut off in the preferences, click YES.

In the Layers menu, select delete to get rid of the vector layer all together.

Step 11
You text is complete and the only way to edit it from this point is to 'undo' all the way back to the vector layer and redo it.

Step 12
Now my image is done and so is this tutorial with my apologies to my dear friend Jean because I should have done this one for her a loooooooooooooooooong time ago!

Close window when Finished.

Tutorial by CSGreen

Zipped tutorial in PDF format . . . 692KB

* I do not generally compress my graphics but for the sake of loading time - the tutorial graphics are compressed!