Editing Text Block Properties

When you select a text block in the workspace, you can use the Properties pane to edit settings for the text block.

The Transform page controls the position and size of the text block: you can change the center or rotation of the text block, offset its position, adjust its horizontal or vertical scaling, or apply a horizontal or vertical slant (shear).

The Effects page controls the look of your text: you can change the opacity of the text, apply a gradient fill, or apply blur, drop shadow, or glow effects.

The Layout page controls the layout of text within the text block: you can adjust spacing, selection, or create a path for your text to follow.

Transform controls

Item	Description
Center	Each text block has a center point that is used for alignment and rotation: Choose a setting from the drop-down list to indicate how you want to align your text block relative to the center point.
Rotation	If you want to rotate your text block about its center point, drag the slider, or double-click the slider handle to reset the rotation to zero.
Offset	To move a text block from its original position, drag the X and Y sliders or double-click the label and type a new value in the box.
Scale	To resize a text block, drag the X and Y sliders or double-click the label and type a new value in the box. TIP You can also drag the handles on the text block to resize it.
Shear	To slant or skew a text block, drag the X and Y sliders or double-click the label and type a new value in the box.

Effects controls

Item	Description
Opacity	Drag the slider to adjust the opacity/transparency of the selected text block.
Gradient fill	Select this checkbox if you want to apply a gradient to the selected text. You can use the gradient bar below the checkbox to choose the range of the gradient and the colors used. Drag the points in or out to change the starting and ending point of the gradient. To change the gradient colors, click the points to display a color picker. Click the Apply Favorite button to display the Gradients menu where you can preview and apply gradient presets. Click a preset name to see an example of the gradient at the bottom of the Gradients menu. Double-click a preset to apply its settings.
Gaussian Blur	If you want to apply a blur to your text, select this check box. To adjust the blur, click the button to use the Horizontal blur and Vertical blur sliders. Click the Apply Favorite button to display the Filters menu where you can preview and apply effect presets. Click a preset name to see an example of the effect at the bottom of the Filters menu. Double-click a preset to apply its settings.
Glow	If you want to apply a glow to your text, select this check box. To adjust the position and appearance of the glow, click the button to use the Glow amount and Glow color controls. Click the Apply Favorite button to display the Filters menu where you can preview and apply effect presets. Click a preset name to see an example of the effect at the bottom of the Filters menu. Double-click a preset to apply its settings.
Drop Shadow	If you want to apply a drop shadow to your text, select this check box. To adjust the position and appearance of the shadow, click the button to use the Blur amount, Horizontal offset, Vertical offset, and Shadow color controls. TIP Using a white or custom-color background is useful when adjusting drop-shadow colors. You can use the Preview Properties controls to adjust the color of the workspace background. Click the Apply Favorite button to display the Filters menu where you can preview and apply effect presets. Click a preset name to see an example of the effect at the bottom of the Filters menu. Double-click a preset to apply its settings.

Layout controls

Item	Description
Vertical orientation	Select or clear this checkbox to switch a text block between horizontal and vertical orientation.
Tracking	Drag this slider to increase or decrease the spacing between characters.
Line spacing	When you have multiline text blocks, drag this slider to increase or decrease the space between lines.
Selection	If you want to restrict your edits to a portion of a text block, you can drag either end of the selection bar to adjust the selection length, or drag the selection bar to move the selection within the text block.
Selection type	If you're using the Selection control to apply edits to a portion of a text block, choose a setting from the Selection type drop-down list to indicate whether you want to select lines of text, words, or characters.
Fade selection	Select this checkbox if you want to feather the edges of the selection, or clear the checkbox if you want to create a hard-edged selection.
Path	Select this checkbox if you want to draw a path for your text to follow. When the checkbox is selected, a path is added to the workspace. You can edit the curve in the same way you create Bezier curves:
Position on path	When the Path checkbox is selected, you can drag this slider to move your text left or right along the path you create.
Wrap around	Select this checkbox if you want text to wrap around your path. For example, if you automate the Position on path setting, you can create a repeating, scrolling marquee.