How do you use the envelope and warp tools in Illustrator to transform vector text?

1 What are the envelope and warp tools?

The envelope and warp tools are two ways of manipulating vector text in Illustrator. They both work by applying a distortion to the text based on a shape or a preset. The envelope tool lets you use any path or object as the shape, while the warp tool offers a range of predefined effects, such as arc, flag, or fish. You can access both tools from the Object menu, under Envelope Distort.

2 How to use the envelope tool?

To use the envelope tool, you need to have a path or an object that you want to use as the shape for your text. For example, you can draw a circle, a rectangle, or a custom shape with the pen tool. Then, select your text and the shape, and go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Top Object. This will create an envelope that conforms to the shape of the top object, and you can adjust the anchor points and handles of the envelope to fine-tune the distortion. You can also use the direct selection tool or the free transform tool to modify the envelope.

3 How to use the warp tool?

To use the warp tool, you don't need a separate shape or object, but you do need to have your text selected. Then, go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Warp. This will open a dialog box where you can choose from various warp effects, such as arc, bulge, shell, or twist. You can also adjust the amount of horizontal and vertical distortion, as well as the perspective and bend of the effect. You can preview the result before applying it to your text.

4 How to edit or remove the distortion?

Once you apply the envelope or warp tool to your text, you can still edit or remove the distortion if you change your mind or want to try a different effect. To edit the distortion, you can use the direct selection tool or the free transform tool to manipulate the envelope. You can also double-click on the text to enter the isolation mode, where you can edit the text content or font. To remove the distortion, you can go to Object > Envelope Distort > Release. This will restore your text to its original state.

5 How to expand or rasterize the text?

Another thing you can do with your distorted text is to expand or rasterize it. Expanding the text means converting it into a vector shape, which gives you more control over the appearance and editing of the text. Rasterizing the text means converting it into a bitmap image, which reduces the file size and compatibility issues of the text. To expand the text, you can go to Object > Expand. This will create a group of shapes that make up your text. To rasterize the text, you can go to Object > Rasterize. This will create a pixel-based image of your text.

6 How to apply styles and effects to the text?

The last step is to apply some styles and effects to your text to make it more appealing and realistic. You can use the appearance panel to add strokes, fills, gradients, or patterns to your text. You can also use the effects menu to add drop shadows, glows, bevels, or textures to your text. You can experiment with different combinations and settings to create different looks and moods for your text.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?