curving text boxes

[rwilbur]

I am using FM 4.1 for printing labels out of a data base of info. For VHS, 3/4".... this has worked great. Now I need to print CD/DVD disc labels and need to print on a curve. Is this possible and how is it done?

[Vaughan]

Not in FMP. You'd have to create the curved text in something like Illustrator then paste the graphic onto the layout. This means that the curved text would be static, not the contents of a field.

It might be possible to put several of these curved graphics into container fields and use a calculation to display one of them conditionally on the layout to give more flexibility.

[Charlie]

There is a possible, but SHOCKINGLY inelegant solution, as long as you don't want the actual letters to curve. You could parse out your text into different fields and then place the fields into a circular type of layout:

******I**L

****W******B

**R**********U

J**************R

(Yes, this is hideous, but.... And ignore the asterisks; when I tried to post this without them the whole thing collapsed.)

I don't know if FM 5.5 allows free rotation of objects. If it does, you could probably approximate the effect you're trying to get.

Well, enjoy.

C