How to Create Curved and Custom Text in eXPerience 8: Master Text Placement

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Introduction

Text placement is a powerful feature in eXPerience 8 embroidery software that allows you to position text in creative ways to enhance your embroidery designs. This tutorial will guide you through the various text placement options and show you how to apply paths to text objects.

Basic Text Placement Options

Step 1: Understanding the Default Horizontal Placement

When you first add text to your design, it will use the “Horizontal” placement option by default. In this mode:

Text flows in a standard left-to-right horizontal line
You can move individual characters if needed
This is the most basic text placement option

Step 2: Exploring Vertical Placement

To change text orientation to vertical:

Select your text object
Change the placement option to “Vertical”
Your text will now be arranged in a vertical column
You may need to adjust letter spacing and alignment to achieve your desired look

Working with Line Segment Placement

Step 3: Text Placement on a Line Segment

For text that follows a straight line:

Select your text object
Change the placement option to “On line segment”
Your text will appear on a straight line with green handles at each end
Use these handles to:
- Change the line’s position
- Adjust the angle
- Modify the length

Step 4: Adjusting Alignment on a Line Segment

When text is on a line segment, you can control its alignment:

Select your text object
Use the alignment options:
- Right
- Left
- Center
- Full

When using “Full” alignment, the letter spacing will automatically adjust if you change the line’s size.

Step 5: Using Offset on a Line Segment

To control where the text begins on the line:

Select your text object
Adjust the offset value
Type your desired value and press Enter to apply it
The text will shift its starting position along the line

Step 6: Changing Direction on a Line Segment

To reverse the direction of text flow:

Select your text object
Enable the “Reverse direction” option
The text will now begin from the opposite end of the line

Step 7: Understanding Text Placement Relative to the Line

You can control how text sits in relation to the line:

Select your text object
Choose one of the “Text placement” options:
- Baseline: Letters are placed along the line, with descenders (like in letters g, j, p, q, y) going below
- Bottom: All letters sit on top of the line
- Ascent: Most letters go below the line, with ascenders possibly extending above
- Top: All letters are positioned below the line

Creating Text on an Arc

Step 8: Placing Text on an Arc

For text that follows a curved path:

Select your text object
Change the placement option to “On arc”
Your text will appear on a curved arc with three control handles:
- One at the start of the arc
- One at the end of the arc
- One in the middle to control the radius

Step 9: Customizing Text on an Arc

When text is on an arc, you can:

Move any of the three control handles to reshape the arc
Use the same alignment options as with line segments
Apply the same text placement options (Baseline, Bottom, Ascent, Top)

Advanced Text Placement Using Custom Paths

Step 10: Using the “On User Path” Option

For maximum flexibility with text paths:

Select your text object
Change the placement option to “On user path”
You can move the text as is
You can adjust alignment and placement options

Step 11: Editing a Custom Path

To modify a custom path:

Select your text object
Switch to “Edit nodes” mode
Add or edit nodes as needed
Use all available node editing functions to customize the path
This advanced technique allows for unique baseline effects

Step 12: Using Design Elements as Paths

You can use any part of your design as a text path:

Select both the text object and the line element you want to use as a path
Right-click and select “Apply path” from the menu
The text will now follow the selected line

Step 13: Using an Ellipse as a Path

To place text along an elliptical path:

Create an ellipse
Select both your text and the ellipse
Right-click and select “Apply path”
Start the Text tool to adjust the placement on the ellipse
You can later edit this path using the node editor if needed

Practical Example: Placing Text on Sail Shapes

Step 14: Preparing Sail Shapes for Text Paths

Duplicate each sail shape you want to place text on
Change the type of the duplicate to “Running”
Scale it slightly larger to make selection easier

Step 15: Creating Custom Paths from Sail Shapes

Use the node editor to split the sail outline
Create the specific paths you want to use
Use Break Apart to separate multiple paths
Remove any unnecessary paths

Step 16: Applying Text to Sail Paths

Select a text object and one of your prepared sail paths together
Right-click and select “Apply path” from the menu
The text will now follow the sail’s contour
Repeat for any other text and path combinations

Step 17: Customizing Text on Your Paths

With the text applied to the path, start the Text tool
Edit the text content as needed
Adjust any placement options to perfect the positioning

Step 18: Removing a Path When Needed

If you want to return to standard text placement:

Select the text object
Right-click and choose “Clear path”
Your text will return to its default placement

Conclusion

The text placement options in eXPerience 8 embroidery software provide powerful tools for creative embroidery designs. By mastering these techniques, you can create professional-looking text that flows along any path or shape in your design. Experiment with different placement options to add unique artistic touches to your embroidery projects.