Draw has extensive text formatting capabilities; you have the same character formatting options as in Impress and Writer. Text ToolsUse the tools available from the Text icon in the toolbar at the left side of the work area to create text.
To create text, just click on any of the text icons, draw a text frame in the work area, and type the text. (If you don't type something before you click elsewhere, the frame will disappear and you'll have to start over.) Text entry and text formatting features are the same in Impress; refer to Adding Text on page 679 and Formatting Text on page 685 for more information. Note For advanced text effects, see Distorting and Curving Text and Objects With the Effects Tools on page 817, and Distorting and Curving Text Using FontWork on page 818. Writing Inside an ObjectDouble-click any object and start typing when you see the cursor appear inside the object. You can't do this to 3D objects until you've converted them to polygons, bitmaps, etc.
To control whether the text expands beyond the object or stays within it, right click the border of the object and choose Text. Select Fit to Frame to scrunch the text within the object; leave it deselected for normal formatting. Writing Sideways (Using the Vertical Text Tool)Note To enable the vertical text, choose Tools > Options > Language Settings > Language and select the Enable option for Asian Languages. Then just click on the Text tool on the main toolbar and select the vertical text tool. Click in the document and start typing away.
Vertical text is great for backgrounds (see the background coverage for Impress), and you can create some cool effects by applying FontWork (Format > FontWork). Creating Vertical Text Inside an Object
Formatting Text Using the Object BarWhen you type or select text, the object bar icons (Figure 29-16) change to tools you can use with text. Tooltips describe the function of each icon. Figure 29-16. Quick formatting using the object bar for text
Note To see more icons on the object bar or remove them, right-click in a blank spot and choose Visible Buttons. Select the items you want to add to or remove from the object bar. The default text values for any text that you enter is shown in the object bar. To change these values, first be sure no text is selected in the work area. Then choose Format > Character and make the appropriate selections. Applying Standard Text Formatting Using the Character WindowThe Character window (choose Format > Character as shown at right) lets you apply standard text formatting attributes like font and point size. Use this window in Drawing, Handout, or Notes view. See Using the Character Formatting Window on page 202 for more information.
Formatting Text With Bitmaps, Gradients, and HatchesNot only can you apply preexisting or your own colors to text, you can convert them to vector objects and then fill them with bitmaps, gradients, or hatches (all of which you can create yourself, as well). Note To create bitmaps, gradients, and hatches, see Creating and Modifying Gradients, Hatches, and Bitmaps on page 804. For extra effects once you've converted text to vector objects, see Distorting and Curving Text and Objects With the Effects Tools on page 817.
Embossing, Engraving, Outlining, or Shadowing TextSelect the text and choose Format > Character. In the Font Effects tab, under Relief, select Embossed or Engraved. To apply a shadow or outline, select None, then select Outline or Shadow. Creating an Instant Text BackgroundYou can do this two ways:
Figure 29-17. Applying a gradient to existing text
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