ARC?

[tvman44]

Trying to lay oiut some letters to spell a name but instead of being in a straight line I want the letters in a arc.  What would be a good program and how do you do this?

[EIEIO]

You can do that in Inkscape. You can make a circle or elipse, or just draw a curved line. Then go back and use the Text tool ("A" along the left edge or F8) add text somewhere on the page (not on top of the curve yet). Then with the Select button (Arrow at top left or hit F1), click on the curve, then shift-click on the text so both curve and text are selected (surrounded by a dashed line and arrows). Now go to  the top menu to [Text][Put on path]. This moves the text so it follows the curved path.

NOTE: with the Select tool, click once to get the sizing arrows, then again to get the rotation arrows. This will let you rotate the curve and move the text.
NOTE: kerning is done by selecting the text, then the text tool, then using the controls at the top of the page to change spacing. As you increase spacing, the text flows along the curve.

[tvman44]

EIEIO, thanks for the tip, but I cannot seem to get it to work.  At least I know it can be done in Inkscape, I just need to figure what I am doing wrong.  What is the latest version of Inkscape?  I have v 0.48

[daveo]

Bob
is this in the picture the sort of thing you mean
in any event you may be better to see the process in action
if you go to the link below and watch the video (its in "pattern making in inkscape L6" you should be able to see where you are going wrong

Dave

http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/forum/47-village-university/

[Tomsunnu]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VwOYO9cAows
Try this video as well. Will help you understsnd more

[tvman44]

Thanks to all.
I got it under control now, on another forum someone refered me to a U-Tube video and now even I can do it.

[jerry1939]

You can also do it with Microsoft Word.  Go to Format - Word Art.  I don't have time to look for it now, but Steve has a video on it.

jerry