[ScrapBooth]

Hello! I'm new here. I'm teaching myself PSE 5, but my question is regarding creating a text path in PSP 6. I've created the text path along a curve following a tutorial I found on the web. I create it at 300 dpi and save it transparent as a .png file. However, when I take it into my other software to put it on my layout, if I select it and drag it by the corner to enlarge it, the font is blurry (yes, it's a TT font). So I tried going back in and making it large initially and resaving it, but then when I reduce it down, it's too small to read and looks blurry. Is there an ideal size that text along a curved path should be made (at 300 dpi)?? Hoping someone can help me.

[varanda]

It might be easier to use the type paths we offer here rather than going into PSP and importing into PSE. And the point size depends on the size of your page---is it 12x12 or 4x6? Also depends on the fonts, they read differently by the way the letters are cut or designed----but that may be too much info, lol!

I'd say about 10-14 point depending on the LO size and the font.

[anemone1983]

Welcome to ScrapGirls! Fonts have always been a little weird for me, but here's what I've found:

- Always resize your fonts using point size. If you scale it by dragging on the "handlebars" in PSE5 it will get blurry the bigger it gets.
- If you want your element to be a certain size in your "other software" create it that size or larger in PSE5. My rule of thumb is to avoid sizing a .png to a larger size. Smaller is ok, larger compromizes quality.
- Not sure what your other software is, but PSE 5 is excellent for creating layouts, so any element you create in it can just be additional layers and you don't have to do the steps of saving/resizing a .png file.

I'm sure more knowledgable scrappers will be along to give you more assistance. In the mean time, HTH!

[ScrapBooth]

varanda, on May 19 2009, 09:23 AM, said:

It might be easier to use the type paths we offer here rather than going into PSP and importing into PSE. And the point size depends on the size of your page---is it 12x12 or 4x6? Also depends on the fonts, they read differently by the way the letters are cut or designed----but that may be too much info, lol!

I'd say about 10-14 point depending on the LO size and the font.

Yes, it would be easier to use pre-mades, but it's just not in my budget at the time being. Also, would love to have the knowledge of how to use my software to create what I envision. But thanks for the suggestion!

I did try it at 13 points, but it looked fuzzy and had "white" areas when enlarged. I'm somewhat familiar with fonts, so are you meaning the font itsself might not have had the right kernaling, etc., to enlarge and reduce correctly? I'm using a font created from handwriting by a fairly popular website. I've used it straight line before, enlarged, and reduced, and not had problems. So perhaps it's the curve that throws it off? I did notice there were extra settings I could adjust in PSP 6 in the font box regarding kernaling, etc., but I was unsure what to do with them. Do you think this might be the problem?

[ScrapBooth]

anemone1983, on May 19 2009, 09:30 AM, said:

Welcome to ScrapGirls! Fonts have always been a little weird for me, but here's what I've found:

- Always resize your fonts using point size. If you scale it by dragging on the "handlebars" in PSE5 it will get blurry the bigger it gets.
- If you want your element to be a certain size in your "other software" create it that size or larger in PSE5. My rule of thumb is to avoid sizing a .png to a larger size. Smaller is ok, larger compromizes quality.
- Not sure what your other software is, but PSE 5 is excellent for creating layouts, so any element you create in it can just be additional layers and you don't have to do the steps of saving/resizing a .png file.

I'm sure more knowledgable scrappers will be along to give you more assistance. In the mean time, HTH!

I'm creating the font along the curve in PSP 6, saving as a png file for the transparency. Took it into Microsoft PhotoDraw, as I haven't learned how to work with elements in PSE 5 yet, and tried both enlarging and reducing. Not being familiar with PSE 5 yet, is it easy to create text along a freestyle drawn line? Because I don't think I can adjust the font size once it's saved as a png. Do you know if there is another way to save the file in PSP 6 that allows it to be easily opened in PSE 5 and still adjust the font points? In other words, is there a file format that is better for resizing than png files. Also, aren't most word arts on the web saved as .png files?? (I know going between programs can be a hassle, but I also want to use the best program for the desired outcome and not have to limit my creativity.)

[Vaughnde]

Valerie is right...its harder to import text or fonts from PSP into another program. I agree the curve could be throwing it off. You can create your fonts in Vector mode rather than in floating mode and kerning is something that is really like a practice until you like it type of thing. See if you can try it in a regular font like Times New Roman or Arial and see if that makes a difference. Basically its like practice and play, play,play until you are satisfied with how it looks. Some days a layout takes me awhile when I play in Text on a path Its fun though....and I hope you can find a way to do it the way you want to and get satisfied with it

[ScrapBooth]

Thank you for all of the ideas. I went back into PSP and did it again only this time checking the Auto Kernaling feature in the text box and drawing the path larger & setting the font larger (approx. 23 points). It seemed to work fine. I took it into PhotoDraw & resized it and didn't have any problems. I'm not sure if this can be attributed to drawing it bigger in the first place with a larger font point (which is in-between both I tried originally) or due to the kernaling feature. But it seems to work o.k. now even in a .png file format.
Thank you all for the ideas! Off to check out the rest of the forum!!