Layout software makes it as easy as pie to fill text with an image. It's a great way to generate a strong concept quickly and easily. The big advantage of turning text info image containers in your layout, instead of in an image editing program, are that it saves time going back and forth between applications, avoids creating additional files to keep track of and gives the highest resolution postscript output automatically. Here are a few tips to take the technique a little further.
Basic Preparation:
Start by experimenting with fonts, sizes and positioning. Big and bold works best. When you like the result, make a copy on the pasteboard so if you need to edit text later you can save some work.
Steps in InDesign:
Select your type and convert it to outlines. Type > Create Outlines. To break the word into separate containers so you can place a different image in each letter, apply Object > Paths > Release Compound Paths. This will also release the counters of letters (like space inside the bowl of an 'e'). Use the Object > Pathfinder > Subtract command to reunite the components.
Steps in Quark:
Select your type and use the Styles > Text To Box command. To break the word into separate boxes so you can place an image in each letter, use the Item > Spit > Outside Paths command. If you want to release all of the counters of the characters as well, use Split > All Paths instead.
Now you can import images into your word, letters or groups of letters, as you would a normal image frame.
Added Effects:
Both Quark and InDesign allow you to add strokes, blended layers and other enhancements.
Basic Preparation:
Start by experimenting with fonts, sizes and positioning. Big and bold works best. When you like the result, make a copy on the pasteboard so if you need to edit text later you can save some work.
Steps in InDesign:
Select your type and convert it to outlines. Type > Create Outlines. To break the word into separate containers so you can place a different image in each letter, apply Object > Paths > Release Compound Paths. This will also release the counters of letters (like space inside the bowl of an 'e'). Use the Object > Pathfinder > Subtract command to reunite the components.
Steps in Quark:
Select your type and use the Styles > Text To Box command. To break the word into separate boxes so you can place an image in each letter, use the Item > Spit > Outside Paths command. If you want to release all of the counters of the characters as well, use Split > All Paths instead.
Now you can import images into your word, letters or groups of letters, as you would a normal image frame.
Added Effects:
Both Quark and InDesign allow you to add strokes, blended layers and other enhancements.
Layout software makes it as easy as pie to fill text with an image.
It's a great way to generate a strong concept quickly and easily. The
big advantage of turning text info image containers in your layout,
instead of in an image editing program, are that it saves time going
back and forth between applications, avoids creating additional files
to keep track of and gives the highest resolution postscript output
automatically. Here are a few tips to take the technique a little
further.
