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.
Very nice.
SVG everywhere indeed.
Even through MS Word 🙂
YOU ARE AWESOME!! TFS this tip!!…everything I have learned so far has been self-taught…and learned through the SCAL forum….thanks to people like you who are willing to share their talents. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! 🙂
OK, you are absolutely amazing! That was sooo easy. I downloaded the SVG factory and followed all of your instructions and was able to import into the scal program….now, maybe I will take some time to use my SCAL since it is so easy to convert without using inkscape….thanks again for being such a wonderful resource. Mary in Hong Kong
Thanks for all the tips and tutorials on your blog. I’ll have to check back when I’m ready to try something new!
Krikie!! I don’t have MSWord.. I use OpenOffice!
Here’s the best I can do, Darth. Go to the web-based test drive of MSOffice 2007. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/HA101687261033.aspx
You can create your word art there and then save a screen shot for autotracing in Inkscape. Copy and paste of the vector into svgfactory, or even another word document, doesn’t work.
thanks so much for your tutorials! I learned something today – need lost more learning!
Carmen
WOW!!! You must have been reading my mind!! Unfortunately I didn’t read your post in time!! I spent several hours,Friday Night, trying to figure out how to get my MSword circle text into inkscare to cut with SCAL. I nixed the circle text idea on my last project, but now I know how to do it for the next one!!
Now if anyone has any ideas on my my SCAL keeps locking up and how to make it quit this will be a perfect day!!
wow!! i just did this following your directions!!! i just did something on my very own!!!! wow!! this will be perfect until i can get the inkscape thing down!!! awesome thanks for sharing!!
Thanks so much for this information! I’m happy I discovered your site.
I tried convertin my circle text using the copy and past method with SVG Factory. However, when I imported the SVG file into SCAL the circle characters where not there. It was just blank. I made the cirlce in MS Word then saved it as Adobe PDF. Opened PDF and copied and opened SVG Factory and pasted and it saved it as a SVG file. Then imported it into SCAL. Do you have any idea what I did wrong?
Sounds like you got the 2 techniques confused. Either use SVGFactory, or PDF, but not both, please try again following the instructions exactly for one method at a time.
Yes that was the problem. Thanks. This is way cool.
I have come to this tutorial so many times. It is one of the best I’ve found for doing titles in the roiund. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I followed your instructions but when I tried to cut, not all my letters cut. They all showed on my screen.
That is what happens if the fill and stroke are not set correctly. Please try again and follow the instructions exactly.
Your information is worth all the gold in the WORLD. This has opened up so! so! so! many windows. Like JEHOVAH said “ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE” I truely appreciate you and all of your efforts
I think this is great. I have tried to do this without success but with your explanation sooo easy. SVG Factory is also a great tool.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the instructions to make circular titles. Could you also give instructions on putting additional text within the circle?
Thank you for sharing your talents.
To put additional text within the circle, choose the shape that has the bar in the middle of the circle instead of the empty circle shape. Then place the lines of text in the top, bottom and center of the circle as desired and follow the same procedure as outlined.
I have watched the video and can’t find the icons used in Microsoft Word after the text is created at the bottom. Can you tell me where to find them in the menu? Thanks! I am hoping to make a circle with the alphabet around the edge for a school scrapbook. Thanks!
Clare
http://www.cricutcraftyclare.blogspot.com
[email protected]
This will be different depending on which version of Word you have. Check the help files in Word or support at Microsoft.com for instructions specific to the version you have.
I finally figured it out! At least part of it. I was able to generate the circular text. Then when I tried to print to file a prn file was generated. How do I get a pdf generate? Thanks so much for tutorial and your help!
I just got some wall vinyl and am hoping to use the phrase in my laundry room.
Clare,
Go to cutepdf.com and follow the instructions there to learn how to print to pdf for your OS.
Kay, I finally got it working! So happy with my file, I posted it on my blog and directed people here for your tutorial! I ended up just doing a screen print and pasting it into Paint. Saved it as jpg and then just scanned it in SCAL 2. So easy with your instructions of course that I will use this technique all the time! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Is there a way to do circular text where the bottom of the text is upright like you would do for a college decal so that if the top said Cricut University the bottom said Vinyl Queen, but the Vinyl Queen is right side up?
Yes, just choose the shape from the word shape panel called “button (curve)” that has separate top, bottom and center text fields and just leave the center blank.
Thank you so much!
Does anyone have the actual SVG Factory software?? The site is down and I can not find it anywhere?
let me know
Hi!
Today I posted an entry on my blog with a link to this tutorial.
I’d appreciate your letting me know if that’s OK.
Thanks,
Nancy Ward
sure!