How to shape and modify texts using Illustrator

In this section you will learn how to shape and modify texts using Illustrator.

The brief steps are (1) type text using the text tool (2) outline the text (3) ungroup (4) modify. You will use this technique in various occasions such as creating logos, headlines, and to name a few.

This is a basic technique and you will use often with the illustrator. Master it with this step by step tutorial.

Step01 Type text using the text tool

Select the text tool on the tool bar.

Click on the space you would like to put a text. As the cursor flickers, type any text you want.

Step02 Outline the text

This is the most important part in this tutorial. You will outline the text.

You typed a text in Step01, however, you cannot shape or modify it as it is. In order to shape and modify texts using illustrator, you first need to make the texts “paths” (images). We call this technique outlining texts.

Select the text with the select tool. Click [Right Click -> Create Outlines] (or Font -> Create Outlines).

By outlining the text, it becomes a path (image) and then you are able to shape and modify the text like you do with any other paths (images).

Step03 An outlined path is generated

An outlined path is generated. You can see in the image above that there are multiple paths around the characters. In order to modify the characters, you will use the direct select tool.

Step04 How to shape and modify each character

The text is outlined, however, the outlined text is treated one group. You cannot modify each character as it is now.

You must ungroup the text in order to modify each character.Select the text using the select tool. Click [Right Click -> Ungroup] (or Object -> Ungroup).

Step05 The text is ungrouped and you can modify/shape it freely

The text is ungrouped and you can modify/shape it freely!

Now you are able to shape and modify the text as you like.

Try changing the color of each character, change the size, and expand a part of the text by selecting the path using the direct select tool.

Step06 Arrange

You have shaped and modified the outlined, ungrouped characters.

In the example image above, I changed the colors of each character by applying warp (Effect -> Warp -> Arc) I also reshaped the T character horizontally by selecting the two paths on the right of the cross bar with the direct select tool.

You can shape and modify ungrouped, outlined characters freely. Be creative and try various things.

Add-Up

How do you think about the technique of modifying and reshaping texts with Illustrator?

I wrote the long text but the main point is; Type texts -> Outline the text -> Ungroup. This is a common technique with the Illustrator. Please try mastering it.

For further information, please also refer to the section of How to Apply Gradient on Text in Illustrator.

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