Okay gang, we've been wanting curved text, we've been wanting it easy and Jasc has heard us!

So let's get started. Just how do we create this wonder we've been clambering for. Start by opening a new window. Select the foreground color you'd like for your text. Click on the line tool and open the Line Tool Control box if it isn't open; we've got some settings to specify.

• Choose a Line Type. This is your choice, I used Freehand Line.
• Select a Style. Since we're going to make the line invisible later, specify Stroked. Stroked is a single line, Filled draws the lines and fills in the areas between the curves with the foreground color, Stroked & Filled draws the line and fills in with the background color.
• Line width can be a low number, I used 3
• Check Antialias
• Check Create as Vector

Select the Text Tool; position the cursor over the line until it changes to a Plus sign with an A and a curved line (see example image). Don't be concerned if the bounding box is still around the line. You can either release the selection or just go ahead and click on the line with the text tool.

Left

Center

Right

In the Text dialog box, under Create As, check Vector and Antialias. Use the Left, Center or Right Justify icons to position your text on the line.

Be aware that a gentle curve will do better than sharp curves. If a sharp curve is necessary you will need to play with the fonts, adjusting size or family until the text lays smoothly on the line. Large bulky fonts on sharp curves tend to bunch up.

Ok, it's time to get rid of that line now. In the Layer Control Palette , click on the + next to Layer 1. The layer will expand to show you it's two components, the freehand line and the text. Click on the freehand line "eyeglass" icon to turn the line off.

Now for the drop shadow and we're done! You've probably noticed if you try at this point to add a drop shadow, the option is greyed out. That's because you're still on a vector layer. In the Layer Control Palette again, right click on Layer 1 and select Convert to Raster from the drop down menu. Now, the drop shadow and all other effects will be available to you!