Curvature tool for text. What are your tips?

[Windy]

I have a devil of a time using the curvature tool in the design tool, and getting a result that has the right curvature for a product, such as for example, a Frisbee, or a Christmas tree skirt. Can anyone share an idea of how to approach this tool? 

[PenguinPower · Accepted solution]

It varies by the product, how precise you can be, but I find that typing in a number, rather than using the sliders generally gives you finer control. Experiment- some items you can make adjustments in at least 10ths of an increment, while the slider may only give you full or 1/2 increments. It never hurts to try…. Type in 10ths or even 100ths. If the tool doesn’t accept them it will just default to the closest number it can take. 

[ameliacarrie · Accepted solution]

Penguin Power is right.  Further, here's something else that may or may not help. Sometimes when I type a text on top and something else on the bottom the bottom seems a bit more squished together. So I use the letter spacing on the bottom to make it appear more uniform. I also may put slightly different spacings on each if I want the text to both seem end about the same place around the circle.  Last, it took me a while to do it instinctually but you need to click the arrow down to make the ends of the circled lettering rise up and the up arrow to make the ends of the circle go down. LOL... Whenever I'd go to adjust the circle I'd always just click the wrong arrow on my first try.  

[PenguinPower · Accepted solution]

It varies by the product, how precise you can be, but I find that typing in a number, rather than using the sliders generally gives you finer control. Experiment- some items you can make adjustments in at least 10ths of an increment, while the slider may only give you full or 1/2 increments. It never hurts to try…. Type in 10ths or even 100ths. If the tool doesn’t accept them it will just default to the closest number it can take. 

[Windy]

Thanks! That sounds like a good approach. I will try it.

[Wildart · Accepted solution]

Hi Everyone. I know what you mean by hard to use, that's fur sure. My way around it(I am NOT a numbers Girl) is to use my arrow keys. just the arrow lef and right, and if you hold down the CTRL key at the same time(this goes for all of the design tool adjustments) it will change in SMALL increments. It's useful for resizing and nudging in any direction ( by adding in the up and down keys). Especially useful when trying to flow a pattern in the wrapping paper seams!

[Windy]

This is welcome info.  I have been wondering FOREVER how to nudge. In my adobe products it's the shift key, but here, I can use CTRL?  I never happened upon that trick. This will be SO useful! 

Thanks!

[ameliacarrie · Accepted solution]

Penguin Power is right.  Further, here's something else that may or may not help. Sometimes when I type a text on top and something else on the bottom the bottom seems a bit more squished together. So I use the letter spacing on the bottom to make it appear more uniform. I also may put slightly different spacings on each if I want the text to both seem end about the same place around the circle.  Last, it took me a while to do it instinctually but you need to click the arrow down to make the ends of the circled lettering rise up and the up arrow to make the ends of the circle go down. LOL... Whenever I'd go to adjust the circle I'd always just click the wrong arrow on my first try.  

[Windy]

Very helpful!  I totally have the same instinct regarding the arrows. The idea of different spacings on top and on bottom could really help. I really never would have thought to use the different spacings to make the top and the bottom seem more uniform.

[igiftcenter]

Just a heads up / tip:
from my experience if you have curved text on the top and bottom of lets say a sticker creating curved text on the top carefully making sure it fits the space well and the curve allows for customization by the buyer....
copy and pasting it to the bottom and using the design tool to make it curve the other way will not work to give you the same nicely placed curve you have on the bottom. You will still have to play with the text to make the bottom work. 

I thought it would be simple to copy and paste the curve and simply change the curve from concave to convex would be all I'd need to do......have not found any tricks to make that work 🙂