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Modeling > Text > Creating text surfaces

Creating text surfaces


A text surface is like any other 3D surface except that its shape is not defined by points; instead, it is based on a font.

You can translate, scale, or rotate a text surface, animate its parameters, include it in relations, animation, and interaction, but you cannot edit its points or change its shape using push or bend tools.

To create a text surface:
  1. Choose Modeling > Text.
  2. Enter the text in the Text Entry dialog that appears, then click OK.
  3. Select a font and a font style in the Font dialog that appears, then click OK. See Selecting Fonts.
  4. Note: The size of the text is determined by its Scale value, the font size is not important.

    The text appears in the center of the World and a text object appears in the World Explorer.

  5. Adjust the text parameters in the Parameter Editor. See Surface Text Parameters.
To adjust the size of a text surface:

Select the text object and do one of the following:

To adjust the thickness of a text surface:
  1. Select the text object and expand the TextGeometry parameters.
  2. In the Parameter Editor, turn on Extrude.
  3. Scale the text along its Z axis. Press E to turn on the Scale tool, then Shift-drag the text using the right mouse button.
To manipulate text:

Select the text object and do one of the following:

Surface Text Parameters

Position

Determines the position of the text in 3D space.The center of a text object is in the lower left corner of the first letter.

Orientation

Determines the orientation of the text.

Scale

Determines the size of the text.

Visible

Displays/hides the text in the viewports.

Anti-aliasing

Makes the text outlines smoother. Also turn on anti-aliasing in the viewport to see the effect.

Single sided

Displays only one side of the object. Turn off Single sided to see the inside and the outside of the object.

Text

The letters or words that appear in the World.

2D overlay

Converts the text to 2D overlay. See Creating text overlay.

Font name

The font used to create the text.

Font style

Sets the text to regular, italic, bold, or bold italic.

Extrude

Extrudes the text to give it thickness. To adjust the thickness, scale the text along its Z axis.

Precision

Determines how much the shape of the text can deviate from the original font shape. Increasing tolerance reduces the polygon count but it also reduces the quality of the text. Adjust the tolerance to get the right balance between quality and performance.


See also:

Selecting Fonts

Text limitations

Creating text overlay

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