For Windows versions up to XP. Not for Vista.

Software: Ulead/Corel Gif Animator 5 and
PhotoImpact any version. Author: Claudia Conover aka Dia (Deeya)
Homepage: Dia's Dimensions
Terms Of Use: Please Read

Title:  ADDING CURVED TEXT TO AN EXISTING ANIMATION

Skill Level:  Intermediate

Additional Files Needed:

Rclick, Save As this animation below to your drive.

Description:  GA has the ability to add text or other kinds of animated text effects to any animation but it can't bend text. This tutorial will show you how to create curved text in PI and copy/paste it to your animation in GA.

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1. Open GA and bring up your animation.

a. Click on Edit, Canvas Size and choose the options that best suit where your text will be. For the purpose of this tutorial we will add our curved text to the top of our animation so our options will be these below. Give your test room on the sides and mostly at the top. The bottom does not need any extra room in this instance. Take note of your new size.

  

b. Our new size is 220 x 160 px. On the Left side of GA you will see the colored squares for our foreground and background colors. The square on the right side is the background color. Set this for the background color you wish to match your text with, in this case it's the color here of #273454.

In PhotoImpact

1. Change your background color of the two squares to the same color you set it for in GA.

Open a New, Colored Image, 240 x 200 px., 300 ppi. in the color you are going to be using.. In this case I'll use white. If you use white as your background it will look terrible on any other colored background as the stray pixels will show up around the text something wicked so be sure to choose your background color to match beforehand.

2. Font tool, Choose your font, Color and Size. I used Deloise font, Color green, and Size 55. It will run off both sides and if it does that's ok. Center your text both ways.

a. Open your EP to your Wrap, Bend Text section and choose one of the top bend positions either Bend 1 or Bend 2. I am using Bend 2. Rclick, choose Modify Properties and Apply from the list. For our purposes this amount of bend is fine (we will adjust it in GA) so Apply these settings on either bend 1 or 2.

  

b. Make sure your text is selected and Copy.

BACK IN GA 5

1. Bring up GA and find the image that has the tallest graphic on it. Select it, and with the Paste button in the top menu, paste your image to this frame. It will have the background on it, and will cover part of the graphic but that's ok. I'll be showing you how to fix it below.

2. Turn on the Transform tool and stretch it to fit side to side. Do not go over the edge with the selection line. You must be able to see both selection lines or make it so you do. Raise the bottom up almost half way up the image like so. If it's too wide bring it in till it fits inside the frame's sides.

3. Turn on the Magic Wand and Select the outside of your text background (not the font itself). Make sure it's all selected around all the letters.

a. Use the scissors to Cut this background selection away.

b. Rclick over the image, Selection, choose None.

c. If it needs to move up more to clear the graphic go back to the transform tool and adjust your text to fit the height of the graphic.

4. Now in the top menu choose the X looking icon. If you hold your cursor over it it will say 'Synchronize Objects Across Frames'. Use these settings below to spread this bent text across all your frames.

5. Click on the Optimize tab and at the top make sure your color rectangle matches your choice of background color. This is Most Important, otherwise, it will set it for what ever color it happens to have there (probably white) and optimize your text to white...eeek!!!

6. Click on the Preview tab and let it load your animation and play it. Check it out to make sure it's the way you want it. If you've made a mistake go back and Undo and see if you can correct it. The Undo button will not go all the way back to the beginning so if you made a mistake you may not be able to correct it. However, if you have followed the dimensions using this animation above and followed my instructions it should be perfect. :)

You are finished. I hope you enjoy making this curved text animation! :)

Feel free to contact me if you get stuck and need help!

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