I have been getting a lot of questions about how to make circular text since I posted the video on moving the letters with mesh. While circular/curved text can be done in Inkscape, (see this video) the best tool out there is probably already on your computer, its the WordArt widget that’s been in Microsoft Word for years. (Microsoft’s WordArt feature is also included in Publisher, Excel and Powerpoint, as well as MS Works versions earlier than 8.5. You will also find a similar feature called FontWorks in Open Office.) It is an incredibly powerful and flexible feature with a friendly user interface (did I really just say that about a Microsoft product?) and the best part is that it generates vector output. So here’s how to use it for your cutting projects.
Step 1: Generate your circular/curved text in a blank MSWord document. If you don’t know how to do that, see this video.
Step 2: If you have a Mac, print to PDF as shown in the screen shot. If you have Windows, see this post for how to print to SVG, then skip to Step 4.
Step 3: Import the PDF file you generated in Step 2 (default settings, click OK). Click to select the circular text object and then click the Ungroup button repeatedly until you see the word “Path” instead of the word “Group” indicated in the tip bar. (In my example it took 4 clicks). If you don’t see the Ungroup button widen your window, or select Ungroup from the Object menu.
Step 4: Save and name your file in Inkscape’s default format (SVG). Open a new document in Sure-Cuts-A-Lot and import your SVG.
Another update: A reader reminded me that the Microsoft’s WordArt feature is also included in Publisher. I should also mention it’s in Excel and Powerpoint, too, as well as MS Works versions earlier than 8.5. Might be worth picking an a bargain bin or ebay copy of Works or Publisher just for this feature.
Latest update: Replaced SVG Factory technique with reference to this post about printing to SVG.
I tried to go to the website to download the svg factory but it says that the website declines the showing of the website. Could you please tell me what the problem might be?
Sincerely
Sheila
I’m missing something here… I love the tutorial and it works fine, but once the letters are cut, they’re only in a circle til you pull them off the mat, right??! Then you have to put them in a circle again (you could use the magic mesh method – http://cleversomeday.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/new-video-of-mesh-transfer-technique/.
But how do you make a circle and WELD THE LETTERS TO IT?! So you get that circle cut out with the letters attached?!?? Do you see what I mean??
Anna,
That’s not the look I was after here, but you could just follow these instructions, then draw a circle in the middle of the circular text image in SCAL and weld it all together.
You are so helpful!!! I’ve been trying to figure this out for weeks and came across your answer on the cricut mb. Thank you so much.
Thanks for the info. Its very usefull
Excellent I am now completely convinced that there is no othe way to create curved text in Word
that’s good! but do u know how i can make this text reverse? (i mean the top part of a linear text, to be as internal circle.)
Not sure what you mean, but MS Word has many options to make text in either direction so check out tutorials for MS Word Art feature.
hi. Is there a way to get the curvy effect with whatever font you want, rather than what word has in its word art section? I tried choosing my font, typing my phrase, then the kind of word art i wanted, but it replaced it with its own font.
Yes, you can use any font you have installed. Click on the Edit Text button in WordArt and it will let you change the font there.
This is exactly what I needed! Thank you SO much!
Superb site you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any user discussion forums that
cover the same topics talked about here? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get comments from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Kudos!
Hey there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this
website before but after checking through some of the post I
realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and
checking back frequently!