How to Make Curved Writing in Photoshop

by Kathryn Hatashita-Lee, Demand Media

Photoshop Elements provides digital tools that adjust text to fit within curved shapes. For example, letters and the modified space between the letters can fit shapes that resemble an arch, flag or shell. Photoshop also provides digital brushes that work with your hand movement on the mouse to mimic calligraphy on the image screen.

Select the Horizontal Type Tool

Open the Photoshop Elements program and open the file image by clicking the “File” menu and the “Open” command. Double-click to select the image file that you wish to enhance with text. The image file expands on an image window on the gray workspace. The toolbox contains the “Horizontal Type Tool” icon that displays a “T” symbol. Clicking the “T” icon brings up the text options on the toolbar. Place the cursor on the image and drag the mouse to insert an outlined text box.

Options for Preset Fonts

Photoshop Elements provides a list of fonts in the “Set the font family” menu located in the left part of the options bar. Examples include “Arial,” “Bookman Old Style” and “Trebuchet.” Other categories on the options bar include “Set the font style” and “Set the font size” that come with drop-menus of selections for a custom look. The “Warp Text” button realigns the text to a specific shape. This button shows an angled “T” over a curved line. Click on the “Warp text” button to open the dialogue box with a “Style” section.

Shaping the Text

Photoshop’s “Warp Text” dialogue box lists 15 styles in four groups: Arc, Arc Lower, Arc Upper; Arch, Bulge, Shell Lower, Shell Upper; Flag, Wave, Fish, Rise; and Fisheye, Inflate, Squeeze, Twist. Selecting one style changes the shape of the text box on the image. The dialogue box displays three options: Bend, Horizontal Distortion and Vertical Distortion. Each option comes with a sliding scale and a text box for numeric values expressed as a percentage. For example, clicking and dragging the slider button to the left for the “Horizontal Distortion” scale expands the left side of the text box. Typing a negative value in the text box also enlarges the left side. Clicking “OK” confirms your selection and closes the dialogue box. The outlined shape is open for your typed text. As you type inside the shape, the text adjusts or warps to fit within the shape.

Tools for Cursive Writing

The “Warp Text” option works for most font types. If you prefer a freehand style where the cursor acts as a brush or pen and follows your hand movements on the mouse, try applying tools that mimic writing implements. Photoshop’s toolbox includes the “Detail Smart Brush Tool (F)” with a selection of brush styles. The upper left corner of the image screen contains the “Show Brush Presets” menu. Brush styles include “Calligraphic Brushes,” “Pen Pressure” and “Wet Media Brushes.” The “Size” text box provides pixel values ranging from 1 to 2500 to set the brush size. The “Opacity” option includes values ranging from transparent to opaque. Clicking and dragging the mouse on the image starts your calligraphic exploration.

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