Text objects are the backbone of digital design. From simple headlines to complex layouts, mastering text manipulation is crucial. This section covers creating, editing, and styling text, as well as advanced techniques for converting text to shapes and applying visual effects.

Typography isn't just about words—it's about visual impact. We'll explore how to transform text into vector objects, apply distortions, and integrate text seamlessly with graphics. These skills will elevate your designs from basic to eye-catching.

Text object manipulation

Creating and editing text

• Type Tool creates and edits text objects (point text for single lines, area text for paragraphs)
• Character panel controls font properties (typeface, size, leading, kerning, tracking)
• Paragraph panel adjusts text block formatting (alignment, indentation, spacing, hyphenation)
• Text on a path tool arranges text along vector paths or shapes (curved or circular layouts)
• Text wrapping in Illustrator flows text around objects (dynamic compositions)
• OpenType features access advanced typography (ligatures, swashes, alternate characters)
• Text layers in Photoshop remain editable and accept layer effects
• Illustrator offers more extensive text manipulation capabilities

Advanced text editing techniques

• Text tool options bar provides quick access to common formatting controls
• Vertical Type tool creates vertical text layouts (useful for Asian languages or creative designs)
• Area Type Options dialog customizes text box properties (columns, inset spacing)
• Find and Replace feature enables batch text editing across documents
• Spell Check tool helps maintain text accuracy
• Smart Punctuation feature automatically converts straight quotes to curly quotes
• Glyphs panel allows insertion of special characters and alternate glyphs

Text styling and formatting

• Style panels create and apply character and paragraph styles for consistent formatting
• All Caps, Small Caps, and other case options modify text appearance
• Superscript and Subscript formatting for mathematical or chemical notations
• Faux styles (Bold, Italic) simulate font variations when true styles unavailable
• Text color and opacity controls adjust text appearance
• Strikethrough and Underline options for emphasis or editing notations
• Baseline Shift moves individual characters up or down relative to the text baseline

Text to shapes and paths

Converting text to vector objects

• Create Outlines command transforms text to editable vector shapes
• Text-to-shape conversion enables complex effects (gradient fills, patterns)
• Converted text shapes modified with vector editing tools (Direct Selection Tool, Pen Tool)
• Shape operations (Pathfinder tools) create complex letterforms and logos
• Text-to-shape conversion ensures font compatibility for file sharing and print production
• Keep editable copy of original text object for future modifications (conversion is irreversible)
• Expand Appearance command in Illustrator converts text with effects to editable shapes

Manipulating converted text

• Anchor point editing customizes letterforms (adjusting curves, adding/removing points)
• Pathfinder operations combine or subtract shapes to create unique typography
• Envelope Distort applies custom distortions to converted text shapes
• Width Tool in Illustrator adjusts stroke width variably along converted text paths
• Shape Builder tool combines multiple text shapes into complex forms
• Offset Path creates outlines or inlines around converted text shapes
• Simplify command reduces anchor points while maintaining overall shape

Text effects and distortions

Applying visual effects to text

• Layer styles in Photoshop add effects (drop shadows, bevels, glows)
• Appearance attributes in Illustrator apply multiple effects to text objects
• Warp Text options create preset distortions (arc, wave, flag effects)
• Envelope Distort in Illustrator enables custom text distortions (predefined shapes, user-created meshes)
• 3D effects create depth and perspective in typographic designs
• Blend modes and opacity settings produce creative text interactions with other elements
• Transformation tools (Scale, Rotate, Skew) alter text objects while often maintaining editability

Advanced text effects techniques

• Filters and effects libraries offer extensive creative text treatments (textures, artistic styles)
• Liquify tool in Photoshop allows for organic distortions of rasterized text
• Puppet Warp in Photoshop enables precise deformation of text shapes
• Blend Tool in Illustrator creates smooth transitions between text objects
• Scatter Brush applies text characters along a path with randomized properties
• Perspective Grid places text in 3D space for realistic environmental typography
• Gradient Mesh tool in Illustrator creates complex color transitions within text shapes

Text integration in design

Positioning and aligning text

• Alignment and distribution tools ensure precise text positioning relative to other elements
• Smart Guides provide dynamic alignment assistance when moving text objects
• Baseline Grid aligns text across multiple text frames or columns
• Text Frame Options in InDesign control text positioning within frames
• Tab stops and leaders create structured text alignments (tables of contents, price lists)
• Optical Margin Alignment adjusts punctuation positioning for visual balance
• Text Wrap feature in InDesign and Illustrator controls text flow around objects

Combining text with graphics

• Masking techniques integrate images within text shapes (knockout text effects)
• Clipping masks in Illustrator fill text with patterns, images, or illustrations while maintaining editability
• Layer blending modes create interactions between text and background elements
• Typography hierarchy uses different text styles and sizes to create visual flow and emphasis
• Color harmony techniques ensure text colors complement overall composition
• Negative space utilization in text layouts contributes to balanced designs
• Text as texture technique uses dense text to create visual patterns or image effects