Types of Text Objects

A normal text object creates a single line of text. The width of the text box is determined by the length of the text. To customize a normal text object, use the property pages of the Text Properties dialog.

The text in this object does not wrap unless you convert the text object to a normal wrapped text object. To do this, click to select the Wrap to fit width check box on the Wrap tab of the dialog's Text Format property page.

A normal wrapped text object creates a multiple-line paragraph of text that wraps within the object's boundaries. To customize a normal wrapped text object, use the property pages of the Text Properties dialog.

A word processor text object places a word processor-enabled text field on the template so that you can create Rich Text Format (RTF) text. To customize a word processor text object and access the word processor itself, use the property pages of the Word Processor Text Properties dialog.

A symbol font character text object supports unique TrueType fonts from Seagull Scientific, Inc. Use these Seagull fonts to place standard industry-specific graphic symbols on your template. To resize and format these symbols to fit your design needs, use the property pages of the Text Properties dialog.

A slant text object uses a skew transform to format the text so that it slants vertically or horizontally. To customize a slant text object, use the property pages of the Text Properties dialog.

The slant text object has the following preset configurations of the skew transform, which are available when you click Text on the Create menu:

• Slant Up : The line of text slants up from left to right.

• Slant Down : The line of text slants down from left to right.

• Slant Left : The text slants from right to left.

• Slant Right : The text slants from left to right.

An arc text object uses an arc transform to format the text in an arc shape while the text characters are angled to match the degree of the arc. You can configure several customizations, such as specifying the angle, direction, and alignment of the text; wrapping the text; setting the text to automatically fit; and specifying spacing, justification, tab, and indentation options. To customize an arc text object, use the property pages of the Text Properties dialog.

The arc text object has the following preset configurations, which are available when you click Text on the Create menu:

• Arc Up : The text arcs up and then down.

• Arc Down : The text arcs down and then up.

A bend text object uses a bend transform to format the text in a chevron shape. This text object is similar to a slant text object that slants in two directions; the slant effect stops at the middle of the text and then reverses direction, making the text symmetrical. To customize a bend text object, use the property pages of the Text Properties dialog.

The bend text object has the following preset configurations, which are available when you click Text on the Create menu:

• Bend Up : The text slants up and then down.

• Bend Down : The text slants down and then up.

A curve text object uses a curve transform to format the text so that it gradually curves at the midpoint of the object while the text characters remain vertical. To customize a curve text object, use the property pages of the Text Properties dialog.

The curve text object has the following preset configurations, which are available when you click Text on the Create menu:

• Curve Up : The text curves up so that the midpoint is above the ends.

• Curve Down : The text curves down so that the midpoint is below the ends.

An inflate or deflate text object uses a curve transform to format the text so that it gradually is stretched or compressed at the midpoint of the object while the text characters remain vertical. To customize an inflate or deflate text object, use the property pages of the Text Properties dialog.

• Inflate: The text is stretched at the midpoint to be taller in the center of the text object, which creates an "inflated" look.

• Deflate: The text is compressed at the midpoint to be shorter in the center of the text object, which creates a "deflated" look.

A fade text object uses a skew transform to format the text in a skewed shape along the vertical or horizontal axis. To customize a fade text object, use the property pages of the Text Properties dialog.

The fade text object has the following preset configurations, which are available when you click Text on the Create menu:

• Fade Left : The text transitions from taller on the left to shorter on the right.

• Fade Right : The text transitions from shorter on the left to taller on the right.

• Fade Back : The text transitions from wider at the bottom to narrower at the top.

The wave text object uses a wave transform to format the text in horizontal or vertical waves. You can specify any number of waves and the wave direction. To customize a wave text object, use the property pages of the Text Properties dialog.

The wave text object has the following preset configuration, which is available when you click Text on the Create menu:

• Wave : The text appears in a single vertical wave.

RTF standardizes text formatting across many platforms. By using an RTF text object, you can apply advanced formatting to the content of the text object, such as changing the color of the text, adding bullets or numbering, indenting paragraphs of text, or inserting symbols.

HTML is a markup language that is typically used to format websites. By using an HTML text object, you can use HTML markup tags to apply advanced formatting to the content of the text object. BarTender converts the HTML to RTF. Therefore, BarTender does not support all applications and features of HTML; it supports only the features that are available in both HTML and RTF.

XAML is a markup language that you can use to create objects, format text, and lay out objects by using tags. By using a XAML text object, you can use XAML markup tags to modify the appearance of a text object, including aligning text in tables, coloring text, or adding images to a text object.