This document provides an overview and objectives for learning text manipulation tools in CorelDRAW, including defining legibility of text, creating titles by modifying text, and creating titles in metal. It outlines various text tools and basics, such as font versus typeface, font families, OpenType support, and working with artistic versus paragraph text. Additional topics covered include points as a measurement of text size, using text envelopes, converting text to curves, fitting text to paths, and techniques for improving text legibility and adding interest. Challenges of working with metal text are also discussed.

1. TEXT
October 4, 2012

2. OBJECTIVES
Learn to Use Text Manipulation Tools in CorelDRAW
Define Legibility of Text and Create Legible Text
Create Interesting Titles by Modifying Text
Create Titles in Metal
Positive versus Negative Spaces
Creating Art Pieces Using Text

3. TEXT TOOLS
Scan this article: Typography in CorelDRAW X6
Font vs. Typeface
Better description of the difference
Choosing a Typeface
Combining Fonts
More than you will ever want to know about typefaces
but will be glad you do

4. FONT FAMILIES
Families are groupings of fonts that share similarities
Serif: Old Style and Modern
Slab Serif
Sans Serif
Scripts (may include Black Letter)
Decorative or Distressed

5. TEXT TOOLS
Continued: Typography in CorelDRAW X6
OpenType Support in CorelDRAW X6
OpenType sets have options to create a more stylized
look not found in TrueType sets
Beginners Guide to OpenType
Working with OpenType fonts in CorelDRAW X6

6. TEXT BASICS
Scan this article: Adding and Selecting Text in CorelDRAW
We only work in Artistic text
Paragraph text is not likely to be used for our purposes
VIDEO: Basics of Text in CorelDRAW - Artistic Text and
Paragraph Text -- again, skip the last half of the video where
he talks about paragraph text

7. POINTS
Points refer to the vertical size of text
A letter that is 72 points is approximately one inch tall
72 points = one inch is only a guideline
Use guidelines on the page to set letter heights
When you drag a text bounding box to resize the text, the
point size also changes

8. TEXT TOOLS
OPTIONAL: Fo!ow along with next video by insta!ing the fonts
Okay, I give up, I’ve tried to insta! the fonts shown in the video
but am unable to do so. If you figure out how, please let me know.
Megalopolis Extra: Scroll down to download button
Lobster
Directions for installing the downloaded font
Good Luck!

9. TEXT TOOLS
VIDEO (start 40 seconds in): CorelDRAW X6 OpenType
font support and new character text features
Megalopolis Character Map on FontSquirrel.com

11. TEXT ENVELOPE TOOLS
Create a document, use the text tool to add text
Use a large size font and type, “Envelope” in all caps
VIDEO: CorelDRAW Text Effects Training Tutorials:
Envelopes
VIDEO: CorelDRAW X6 for Beginners the Envelope and
Perspective Tools

12. CURVES AND NODES
VIDEO: Converting Text to Curves - A CorelDRAW How-
to
Scan this article: Reducing the Number of Nodes in Curve
Objects

13. REVIEW SKILLS
To apply text to a path you will need to be able to draw
shapes or lines
Drawing Basic Shapes with CorelDRAW
Squares, ellipses, and polygons
The Curve Tools
Curve tools, nodes, and lines
A Letter Shaping Game

15. FIT TEXT TO PATH
Scan this article: Interactive Fit Text to Path Tool
VIDEO: CorelDRAW X5 - Fit Text to Path (Curve Around
Circle)
VIDEO: CorelDRAW X5 Training Video Tutorials: Text on
a Path

16. TEXT LEGIBILITY
Legibility
More important for
titles than paragraphs
Instant recognition of
letterforms
Typeface
Spacing (kerning)
Contrast

17. THE MOST LEGIBLE TYPE
Plain sans serif with an average x-height
x-height: thanks vs. thanks vs. thanks
A regular or medium weight
Lowercase letters with capitals where they belong
Avoid condensed, expanded, and oblique (slanted)
More letter spacing in smaller point sizes and less letter
spacing in bigger point sizes

18. CHOOSE THE FONT THAT IS EASIEST TO READ
Few forgive without a Few forgive without a
fuss. fuss.
Few forgive without a Few forgive without a
fuss. fuss.
Few forgive without a Few forgive without a
fuss. fuss.
Few forgive without a
fuss.
From The Non-Designer’s Type Book by Robin Williams,
Peachpit Press, Berkeley, 1998, page 48

19. ADDING INTEREST
The most legible text is boring
The Rules are only a guideline
Learn how to wisely break the rules
Start with OpenType font, consider using Small caps, old-
style numbers, and ligatures
Consider remodeling individual letters: Swash characters,
initial caps, ornaments and dingbats

21. METAL CHALLENGES
Positive cut challenge - how to hold all the letters together
Weld to solid background
Design elements that connect all letters
Negative cut challenge - how to keep only what you want
Use backing pieces - contrasting metal or pieces of rod
Design letters with breaks across the letter forms

24. ART TEXT
Text as Image

28. PRACTICE TUTORIALS
Try following the video tutorials for additional learning
Curve text
Using the Envelope Tools
Text on a Curve
You may also need this tutorial