Class #3 Text

Today we're going to cover some of the basics of text editing in Illustrator.

The Tools:
There are three horizontal type tools: The Type tool, the Area Type tool, and the Type on a path tool. Each of these has a vertical counterpoint.

• Type Tool- Creates a block of type that isn't associated with a path. You can also draw a rectangle with it and enter type inside the rectangle; you can use it to enter type along the edge of an open path; or you can use it to enter type inside a closed path. It is the most versatile of all type tools.

• Area Type Tool- Creates type inside an open or closed path. Lines of type that are create with this tool automatically wrap inside the path.

• Type on a Path Tool- Creates a line of type along the outer edge of an open or closed path.

Character Window
To open the Character Window, click on the "A" symbol on the right hand panel, or go to Window>Type>Character in menu bar at the top of the screen. This window allows you to change fonts, sizes, and letter spacing. Basically, all of your word processing functions.


Point Type/Text box
If you simply click on a blank section of the art board, you can immediately start typing away. This is called Point Type. It is neither inside an object nor along a path. This kind of type is appropriate for small amounts of text that stand independently, such as headlines and titles.

With the type tool selected, you can also create a text container, by dragging the mouse to create a rectangle. When you release the mouse, a flashing marker will appear, and you can being typing. Type inside this container will wrap automatically to fit the area, making this tool perfect for paragraphs and other large bodies of text.

*You can edit the shape of the text container after the fact, and the type will readjust itself accordingly.


Import text
Bringing in text from an outside source is easy. The simplest method is:
-Copy type from a word processor, web-page, or other source (Command+C)
-Then, in Illustrator, click on the artboard with the type tool (or drag a text container)
-Paste (Command+V).

This is often a good idea when dealing with lots of text, because you can take advantage of the more comprehensive spellcheck and grammar check of word processors.

Area Type
To fill a closed object with type, use the Area Type tool. Click on the edge of a shape, and a flashing marker will appear. The fill and stroke of the path will disappear, and you can begin writing or pasting text. Like a text container, the type will hug the contours of the shape automatically.


Type on a Path/Type on an Ellipse, etc.
To create text along the outside of a shape, use the Type on a Path Tool. Much like the area type tool, just click on the outside edge to begin typing. Don't hit return or enter though, this tools works for single lines of type.

The selection arrows allow you to edit the positioning of this type after the fact. When you click on the type, 3 brackets will appear.
• The left bracket adjusts the starting point
• The right bracket adjusts how much type shows
• The Center bracket moves the type along the path.

Type on a Path options:
To edit the appearance of type on a path, go to the top of your screen at click Type>Type on a Path>Type on a Path options.
This allows you to move the type inside the path, outside the path, and flip it's orientation.


Type Effects
At the top of the screen under Effects>Warp, there are various preset type effects, similar to those in Photoshop. Try them out for neat effects!

Appearance Panel: To re-edit effects after they've been committed, use the Appearance Panel. If you can't find it, click on Window>Appearance, up at the top of the screen.


Create Outlines
Type in illustrator isn't editable in the way shapes are. They remain a separate entity so that text can be edited over and over. If you're happy with your spelling and word choices, but need to edit the individual letters as shapes, then you'll need to turn the type to outlines.

Simply highlight the text, then go to Type>Create Outlines. Now your letters have turned into editable shapes. They may still be grouped together, but you can fix that by going to Object>Ungroup.