Photoshop® CS4 Bible

Chapter 13. Working with Text

IN THIS CHAPTER

Using type

Single-line type

Paragraph type

Type on a path

Type with layer styles

Vector versus rasterized type

Type in Photoshop has come a long way. We old-timers who used Photoshop in the days of yore recall a time when the simplest type tasks involved a steady hand, a firm backbone, and a 10-mile hike barefoot in the snow (both ways); and we are very grateful for the robust type engine we have at our disposal today. Before Photoshop 5, type was created as bitmap pixels that merged directly with the background layer, and once entered, couldn't be moved or edited — it was more or less engraved in stone. Photoshop 5 finally gave us the ability to create type on its own layer, but it wasn't until version 7 that we finally had fully editable vector text. And as for creating text that deviated in any way from your basic left-to-right layout ...well, we've come a long way, baby.

As mentioned earlier, Photoshop now supports vector-based type — type that is generated by mathematically defined outlines that you can scale, rotate, and otherwise transform without any degradation of their crisp outlines. Additionally, you can bend, stretch, and twist type with the Warp tool, all the while keeping it fully editable. Type is created on individual layers and can therefore take advantage of just about all the benefits of using layers, such as blending modes, masks, and layer styles. On top of all that, you can use the Spell Check command to ensure accuracy ...