Point, area and path type tools in Vectornation by Zaweba
Get started with the Type tools in Vectornation by Zaweba: point and area text, text in shapes and on paths, upright text, and converting between kinds.
Text in a vector app comes in several kinds, and choosing the right one at the start makes the rest of the job easier. Vectornation by Zaweba handles them all from the Text tool (T) and its relatives. Click once for point text, drag a box for area text, and use the related tools for text inside a shape, text on a path, and upright text that runs from top to bottom.
Point text for headings and labels
Click once with the Text tool and start typing. That is point text. It runs along a single line and only breaks where you press Enter. Point text is right for headings, labels on diagrams, logo wordmarks and anything short where you decide the line breaks yourself.
Because it does not wrap, point text is predictable. A word stays on one line however long it gets.
Area text for paragraphs
Drag a box with the Text tool and type inside it. That is area text. The text wraps to fit the box, so it suits paragraphs, captions, product descriptions and anything longer than a line or two. Change the box and the text rewraps.
Shapes, paths and upright text
Text can also fill any shape, not just a rectangle. Type inside a circle for a round label, or inside a custom outline so a paragraph takes on its silhouette.
Text on a path runs along a line or curve. Draw an arc and set a name around it for a badge, or run a caption along a wavy line.
Upright text runs vertically, one character above the next. It is useful for some East Asian layouts and for narrow vertical labels on signs and spines. Vectornation offers upright versions of shape text and path text as well, so vertical text can also fill a shape or follow a path.
Converting between point and area type
Projects change. A heading becomes a short paragraph; a block of text needs to become a single line. Type > Convert to area type and Type > Convert to point type switch a text object between the two kinds without retyping it. Convert to area type when a line is getting long and you want it to wrap. Convert to point type when you want full control over each line break.
Choosing well at the start
A good rule is to ask whether you want the text to wrap. If not, use point text. If so, use area text or text in a shape. For curved or decorative lines, use text on a path.
The commonest beginner mistake is to make a paragraph from point text and press Enter at the end of every line. It looks fine until a word changes and every line needs breaking again. Area text avoids this, because it rewraps automatically.
The opposite mistake is putting a heading in a small area text box, where a longer word drops onto a hidden second line. If text seems to disappear, the box may simply be too small.
Where to go next
Once text is on the page, the Character and Paragraph panels set its look, and the tools for editing in place let you change wording directly on the artboard. Text in Vectornation stays live and editable throughout, until you decide to create outlines from it, so it is worth keeping it as text for as long as the design is still changing.
