99computer

To put text on a path, you first need a path, obviously. Choose the Pen tool, shape tool, or line tool. Next go to the options bar and make sure the "paths" option is active, then create an open or closed path.

Once your path is created, switch to the horizontal type tool. Bring your cursor close to the path, and your cursor will change slightly, and the status bar will change to say, "Click to create type on a path." Click, then type... that's all there is to it! Well, you do have to click the commit button to accept the text.

1. Draw a line or shape with any of the drawing tools.
2. Select the Text tool. (Shortcut F8)
3. Hold the cursor over the edge of the shape or line, but just above the outline. The cursor will change into an I-beam next to an 'A' on a curve.
4. Click once and a blinking cursor attaches itself to the line or outline of the shape.
5. Start typing and the text will flow along the path.
6. After entering your text, switch to the pick tool and Ctrl-click on the type. From the property bar you can change the text orientation, placement, distance from path, and offset.
7. For readable text on a circle where one part isn't upside down, make two type objects attached to the shape: one for the top half and one for the bottom half.
8. Place one of the text objects on the other side of the path, and adjust the distance and offset to correspond with the other side.

1. The last button on the property bar allows you to put the text on the other side of the path.
2. The line or shape used as a path for the text can be hidden by setting the line and fill properties to none.
3. When text is attached to a shape you will need to Ctrl-click to select one or the other if you want to change line and fill properties independently.

1. Draw a shape--any shape.
2. Select the Text tool. (Shortcut F8)
3. Hold the cursor over the edge of the shape, but just inside. The cursor will change into an I-beam with a small box containing the letters 'AB' next to it.
4. Click once and, poof! Your shape becomes a text container.
5. Start typing or paste some text.

1. The type container behaves just like any other paragraph text frame, which means you can use tabs, drop caps, and even link multiple type frames.
2. While the shape is a text frame, it's also still a shape that can have line and fill properties applied to it. Set line and fill to none if you don't want the shaped text frame to be visible.
3. To select only the text frame or only the shape (for changing line and fill properties) use the Ctrl key as you click. Otherwise, changes will be applied to both objects.
4. This is a great way to make text the follows the circular shape of a CD label.
5. On step 3, if you hold your cursor just ouside the edge of the shape, you can attach text to the outer border of the shape. The cursor becomes an I-beam next to an 'A' on a curve.