The
following tutorial is courtesy of "Mac Design Magazine "
Putting type on a path is not a new concept. However, Adobe InDesign CS adds a
new twist to it. Not only can you put type on a path, but you can also link from
path to path to have one continuous text flow. In this tutorial we'll use this
technique to replicate Apple's new AirPort Express ad.
STEP 1: Create a new Two-page Document
If you already have a two-page spread in your existing documents, then great.
Otherwise, choose New>Document from the File menu and specify three facing pages
at 8.5x11". Click OK.
STEP 2: Set Up a Spred
InDesign defaults to making page 1 a right page, page 2 a left page and so
forth. What we really want is a document containing two pages in a spread.
Therefore, we don't need page 1. However, if you simply delete page 1, then page
2 will automatically shuffle into page 1's place. To stop this from happening,
turn off Allow Pages to Shuffle from the Pages palette flyout menu
(Window>Pages), and then drag page 1 to the palette's Trash icon.
STEP 3: Place your image
Place the image that you want to broadcast your type from on the left page.
Choose Place from the File menu and locate your image. Then click Open and click
on the page to place it. The image we're using is taking up the left half of the
left page.
STEP 4: Draw, Stroke, and Cut Circle
Now we need to create our first arc. Using your Ellipse tool, hold down the
Option and Shift keys and click-and-drag from the center of your object out to
create a perfect circle (about 5 inches in diameter). Stroke your circle with
black by pressing D so that you can still see it when you cut it. Now select the
circle, switch to your Scissors tool, and click on the circle where it meets the
top-right and bottom-right corners of the object to make two incisions. Select
the remaining parts of the circle with the Direct Selection tool and delete them
to create your arc.
STEP 5: Step and Repeat
With the Selection tool, select the arc you just created. Choose Step and Repeat
from the Edit menu and set a Repeat Count of 6, Horizontal Offset of 1.5", and
Vertical Offset of 0". Then click OK.
STEP 6: Resize Each Slice
Now we need to resize each arc to be larger in 33% increments. Select the second
arc and make sure in your Control palette that the Constrain Proportions for
Width & Height icon is active. Key in 133% for the Height field (make sure to
include the % symbol) and press Return to make the adjustment. Now make each arc
larger in 33% increments (i.e., 166%, 199%, 232%, 265%) with the last arc being
300%. You may need to reposition the four arcs on the right so that they don't
straddle the page break.
STEP 7: Designate Each Arc to Contain Type
At this point we have to designate each arc as a path type arc. Using the Type
on a Path tool (located behind the Type tool in the Toolbox), click on each arc.
STEP 8: Link Arcs Together
The Type on a Path tool defaults to putting type on the inside of the arc
instead of on the outside, so use the Selection tool to drag the center point
bracket (which appears as a small line in the center of the arc) to the right
instead of the left for each path. Next, click the out port of the first arc
(which appears as a small box at the bottom of the arc) and click anywhere on
the next arc (you'll know you have it when you see a link symbol). Next, link
the second arc to the third, and so on.
STEP 9: Place or Type Your Text
Using the Selection tool, double-click directly on the first arc. This will
automatically switch you to the Type tool. At this point you can type or place
your text and it will automatically go from path to path. You can use all of
your character formatting commands to adjust the font, font size, type color,
etc.
STEP 10: Select Waves and Set Stroke
Using the Selection tool, select all of the arcs and then set the Weight field
to 0 in the Stroke palette (Window>Stroke) to remove the black lines.