Manual: how to translate text into curves in illustrator

In popular vector graphics programs such as Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe InDesign, an operation such as converting font elements into outlines (Bezier curves) is often used. This article discusses in what situations such a need may arise, such as translating text into curves in Illustrator, and what errors you may encounter.

What is it for?

The need to convert text to curves in Adobe Illustrator CC may occur in the following cases:

1. Fonts on different computers may not match, and then the text will not open correctly. When you open the file, the program will display its replacement options, but it is not necessary that the substituted font will look like the original one. Even fonts with the same name, but released at different times and in different versions, will not display the text in the same way, and your design concept will be changed beyond recognition. To avoid this problem when transferring files from one computer to another or when sending it to a printing company for printing, it is strongly recommended that the texts be converted to curves in Illustrator. Many printing houses put the conversion of fonts into curves as a prerequisite for accepting an order for printing.
2. When creating logos or to give originality to font elements, designers often resort to the following technique: they type in an inscription using a font that is most suitable for a creative design. Then translate the text into curves in illustrator. Now these are not text elements, but a vector drawing, and you can edit it, change the configuration, delete, add, move anchor points, etc.
3. The ability to use the font as a graphic element with effects, fantasy fills, etc. For example, a common problem among designers - the program does not allow applying gradient fills to text, only to vector objects. Then there is no other choice but to translate the text in the illustrator into curves. Another example is the use of font characters as a mask for another image or as a fragment of the background.

How to convert text to curves?

Before translating text into curves in Illustrator, you must first select it. If you need to convert to guaranteed all fonts in curves in all text blocks and in all layers of a document, we recommend that you perform the following sequence of actions:

• unlock all layers (remove locks in the layers palette);
• unlock all objects "Object - Unlock All" (Object - Release All) or Ctrl + Alt + 2;
• select the text block "Select - Object Type - Text Object" (Selection - By type of object - All text objects).

Now we’ll demonstrate how to translate selected text into curves in Illustrator. To do this, apply one of the following operations:

1. The Toure Menu (Text) - Create Outlines.
2. Right-click on the text - select “Create Outlines” from the drop-down menu.
3. Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + O.

Important to remember

Converting text to curves is an irreversible process. The text turns into a drawing and loses all its properties - the ability to change the size, style and leading and other parameters, it will not be possible to edit. Therefore, we recommend that before you translate text into curves in Illustrator, save the layout with text in a separate file, and with curves in a separate file.