ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS 7.0
User Guide
535
Path Options controls for the Path Text effect
You can adjust the following Path Options controls to specify the shape of the path:
Shape Type Defines the shape of the path. The Path Text effect name must be selected in the Effect Controls panel
to make the path visible in the Composition panel.
• Bezier Shapes text along a Bezier curve, defined by four control points (Vertex 1/Circle Center, Tangent 1/Circle
Point, Tangent 2, and Vertex 2). Characters that don’t fit on the path are placed off the end in a straight line.
• Circle Shapes text around the circumference of a circle, defined by two control points (Tangent 1/Circle Point, and
Vertex 1/Circle Center). If the text is longer than the circumference of the circle, the text overlaps itself. If an arbitrary
path is chosen and if the path is closed, this property forms the text around the path, as opposed to looping it.
• Loop Shapes text around the circumference of the circle, defined by two control points (Vertex 1/Circle Center,
and Tangent 1/Circle Point). If text is longer than the circumference of the circle, it flows off the Tangent 1 point in
a straight line. You can also use margin controls to make text enter or exit a circle in a straight line.
• Line Shapes text in a straight line, defined by two control points (Vertex 1/Circle Center, and Vertex 2). Note that,
as with the Bezier path, the distance between the two control points does not affect the spacing of the text, unless
alignment is set to Force. (See “Paragraph controls for the Path Text effect” on page 536.)
Control Points Specify the points on the path.
• Tangent 1/Circle Point Specifies the following points: starting tangent for a Bezier curve, diameter of a circle and
starting or ending point of text (depending on specified alignment), and diameter of a loop and the point where text
enters.
• Vertex 1/Circle Center Specifies the starting vertex for a Bezier curve, center of a circle or loop, and starting or
ending point for text on a line (depending on specified alignment).
• Tangent 2 Specifies the ending tangent of the Bezier curve. The line between Tangent 2 and Vertex 2 specifies the
slope of the curve at its ending point. For circles or loops, Tangent 2 is ignored.
• Vertex 2 Specifies the ending vertex of a Bezier curve and the angle of a line. For circles or loops, Vertex 2 is
ignored.
Custom Path Specifies an arbitrary path. You can use a mask created in the Layer panel or in Adobe Illustrator.
Reverse Path Reverses the path.
Fill and Stroke controls for the Path Text effect
You can adjust the following Fill and Stroke controls to specify the color and width of the text:
Options Specifies the use of a fill or stroke or a combination of both on the text. Fill Only fills the characters with a
color. Stroke Only strokes the edges of the characters with a color. Fill Over Stroke overlaps the fill color onto the
stroke color. Stroke Over Fill overlaps the stroke color onto the fill color.
Fill Color Specifies the color you want to use to fill the characters.
Stroke Color Specifies the color you want to use to outline the characters.
Stroke Width Specifies the size of the outline around each character.
Character controls for the Path Text effect
You can specify the size and kerning of letters by using the following controls:
Size Specifies the size of the characters.
Tracking Specifies the average distance between characters.
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