Hi again inkscapers,

Just wondering if there may be an updated solution for this issue I'm hoping to resolve. It is briefly covered here: https://alpha.inkscape.org/vectors/forum.inkscapecomunity.com/indexf09d.html?topic=496.0 although I hope to be a little more friendly haha.

I can curve text no issues, but when I try to arch text using a tool such as pattern along path, the text does get quite warped and it takes a long time to get the letters sitting 'upright' in that college font style.

I also briefly looked at using the bezier envelope tool but was having issues with it, then I saw somewhere in another forum post I think that that tool/extension wasn't working with Inkscape 1.x (I'm currently using 1.1 on Windows 10). 

I don't have a specific file or anything I'm working on to upload, I'm just playing around with things as it's something I'd like to do in the future.

Cheers guys

The Envelope path effect works a treat. (Disable the right/left bend).

I guess Bézier-envelope is the way to go from what I understand so far.

Bezier envelope is wonky and delivers unexpected results.

You’re a legend. Now to ask a follow up question… right now I am clicking and dragging, is there a “set” way where I can make sure the top and bottom are adjusted the same?

and possibly a last one…is there a way to make sure I’m using the centre so the arch is “even”

Ja, the bending paths can snap to guides, add nodes, just like ordinary paths.

Alright cool! I'm still a noob with things like that haha so I guess I've got some practicing to do! Thanks so much for your help I appreciate it

Here's one way.

TylerDurden

Bezier envelope is wonky and delivers unexpected results.

Not from experience: https://inkscape.org/forums/cafe/centering/#c33458

Thanks so much! It’s currently 1am here in Australia so I’ll play with that in the daylight hours haha 

Here's another solution that might work for you.  Credit to Ken Wilson.

https://inkscape.org/forums/tutorials/making-text-stay-vertical-to-page-as-it-follows-a-curce/

Hey again folks, follow up question somewhat related to this. In the attached image I have some "college style" text that I arched. It comes like that with the outline etc. If converted to a path, is there a way to "separate" the outline from the fill colour? Essentially I want to see if I could have it red with a white "outline". I do also have a 'block' font similar that I thought I could duplicate/add strokes/delete the middle bit (path>difference?) but wondered if there was a quicker way with the original text.

Thanks again guys.

There are a few ways to do this but most straightforward I think is to use clones.  A clone inherits it's style from the source shape and this overrides any styles you apply to the clone.  But if you delete the style attribute from the source [Edit > XML Editor] or [shift+ctrl+x] then you can style the clones as you please.  In your case I see two stacked clones:  The top clone is red fill with a white stroke and below that a clone with a thick black stroke.  When you change the paths and nodes of the original object then all the clones are updated too.  I usually place the original shapes in a sub-layer where you can quickly hide and unhide them for editing.

There's a related forum post here.  https://inkscape.org/forums/questions/im-new-and-want-to-use-inkscape-for-making-advance-graphical-text-but-need-help/

Maybe this:

I see your Booleans and raise you Editable Text! 

(Edit: svg attached)

Paddy, thanks so much for your response, however all of it went wayyyy over my head. I'm very much a beginner so I've never used the XML editor, much less know how to use it haha. But, its something worth learning. 

TD, that is similar to what I'm after but not quite - I think that's mostly due to me explaining poorly, so I've attached what I hope is a better example.

The top font is the one I want to use, red in the middle, then blank, then a white line around the outside - I used a different font below it to try and illustrate it. 

So the black 'dayze' would be white, the blue would be gone (blank space) then the purple would be white.
I guess what I want to see if I can do it separate the original font somehow to change the colours, instead of having to use the different font and 'make' it by duplicating, add strokes, then deleting (by using difference it think?)

I hope that makes slightly more sense.

Thanks again

Oops sorry thats so big haha

Here's a tutorial that hopefully fills in some of the blanks.  This outlining method works for any shape, not just text.

Ahh very interesting, thanks so much! I appreciate the help :) 

This is the Bend Path effect on an autotraced version you posted above - still editable with the node-tool:

lol - I can do large as well.

Haha thanks Polygon, I’ve got that bit down! I had a follow up regarding colours which I think Paddy may have solved for me. But thank you! 

Maybe this:

Probably a good idea to group each completed letter.

I want to add a couple of steps to my tutorial (#18 above).

When you're happy with your design it's easy to use this as a template. Select the source text and the clones then copy & paste. The pasted clones should be linked to the pasted source. I suggest saving any designs that you like into a template file for future use.

One of the things that font designers must consider is letter spacing, but you mess this up when you add an outline. Fortunately, Inkscape lets you adjust the kerning with [alt+arrow_keys] to tweak the character positions.

TD that worked great, I'm just having an issue with the inside of the A, I'm not sure if its like too small or I'm just doing the wrong area but I've done all the other letters except that tiny little bit.

Maybe zoom in generously:

Okay cool yeah I’ll play with it, I think I was just drawing not in the right spots so I’ll need extra zoom haha. Thanks mate you’re a legend