Write Text in an Arc in the GIMP App

Edited by Freya, VisiHow, Eng, Masum Rayhan and 10 others

You're watching VisiHow. In this tutorial, we're going to show you how to write text on a circular path in GIMP in Windows 7.

Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas181 349997.jpg

Steps

  1. 1
    You should have GIMP open and a document ready to use
    .
    You can refer to our other tutorials to find out exactly how to do that.
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas16 78.jpg
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  2. 2
    First, create a circular path by clicking "Ellipse Tool" in our toolbox on the left side of the screen
    .
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas25 18.jpg
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  3. 3
    Hold "Shift" and click and drag the cursor to create a circle on the canvas
    .
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas40 376999.jpg
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  4. 4
    Release the mouse button and press "Enter" to apply the selection
    .
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas46 632436.jpg
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  5. 5
    Then, click the third tab option, "Path", at the right-hand side of the screen
    .
    The option looks like a curve or line you achieve by using the "Pen Tool". It has the handles on each side of the anchor point.
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas56 994997.jpg
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  6. 6
    If you can't find this tab, click "Windows" on the top left-hand side of the screen
    .
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas71 869643.jpg
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  7. 7
    Move the cursor to "Dockable Dialogues" and click "Paths"
    .
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas75 931997.jpg
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  8. 8
    Click "Selection to Path"
    .
    It is the small pink button at the bottom of the panel.
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas86 281997.jpg
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  9. 9
    After that, Click "Selection"
    .
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas98 466591.jpg
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  10. 10
    To make "Selection" visible, click the box to the left of it
    .
    The box will have the eye.
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas98 851997.jpg
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  11. 11
    Click "Select" in the menu
    .
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas103 448609.jpg
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  12. 12
    Click "None"
    .
    You can also press "Shift" + "Ctrl" + "A" on the keyboard to deselect everything.
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas104 781859.jpg
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  13. 13
    To create the text click "Type Tool"
    .
    This is the giant capital "A" in "Toolbox".
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas111 579997.jpg
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  14. 14
    Now start typing
    .
    You can adjust the size, for example, to 80 pixels. Let's type "GIMP tutorial for beginners on VisiHow".
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas149 531981.jpg
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  15. 15
    Finally, manipulate the text as desired
    .
    Triple-click to highlight the whole text in yellow.
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas162 836997.jpg
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  16. 16
    Adjust the font size by typing the size manually
    .
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas160 850838.jpg
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  17. 17
    Whilst the text is selected, right-click the text layer in "Layers" on the right-hand side of the screen
    .
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas175 328199.jpg
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  18. 18
    Click "Text along Path"
    .
    This will apply your text to the circle.
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas177 624997.jpg
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  19. 19
    You can hide unwanted layers now by clicking on the eye icon
    .
    Write text on a circular path on GIMP.mp4-canvas190 453583.jpg
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This is a VisiHow tutorial, and we've just shown you how to write text on a circular path in GIMP in Windows 7. If you have any questions of comments regarding this tutorial or the program used, just add them to the section below. Thank you for choosing VisiHow!

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Video: Write Text in an Arc in the GIMP App

Questions and Answers

What do I do after I've got my arced text?

So I've got my text in an arc. What now? It looks like a wire frame. What happened to the full text with color? How do I fill it back in and move it to where I want it to end up?. I have tried: Nothing. The tutorial left me in the lurch.. I think it was caused by: Insufficient information.

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You probably did not keep the transparent window highlighted in the layers tab. I did the same thing and then realized this was my mistake.

How do I position curved text at the top of my circle?

I have achieved the text displayed in an arc but I want the text on top of my circle not to the left. . Please help!. I have tried: Tried to change the path. I think it was caused by: Not sure

Use the Move tool to position the text where you want it. This is not a drag and drop but instead actual alignment parameters. The Rotate Tool is used if you want to situate the text to look better.

Text is skewed off-centre along the path?

Hi there Freya,. . I'm trying to create text along a path, and I followed the great VisiHow article on how to do so. However, the text is skewed off-centre and I can't figure out how to move it to center. Manipulating the original un-pathed text doesn't seem to have any effect.. . Thanks,. . -Toby

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Use Gimp's Align Tool to move it to the center.

How do I create a custom path and not using the elliptical tool instead?

I'm trying to create text on a path of my choosing. Instead of an arc, I need it to bend horizontally like onto a soda can.

Gimp's Ellipse Tool is the best way to do this but you can refer to Gimp's Path doc to see what you can do via a custom path. There are still only 4 shapes to choose from but with trial and error you can figure out what looks best to you.

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How do you curve text in Gimp?

Can I get it to curve in a semicircle or just a full circle? Thanks.

This YouTube Tutorial shows you how to create curved text in the Gimp App.

How can I wrap my text in ellipse selection?

I was in number 10 step but it seems I cannot understand how to do it. I was an Adobe Photoshop user so I'm trying to find my way in Gimp using adobe terms.

Since you are familiar with Adobe it will be beneficial to physically watch how it is done in the Gimp App. You can do this following this YouTube Tutorial showing how to wrap text.

Trying to write text in a circle using gimp on windows 10?

Just want to write one sentence in a circle.

You can create the text in a circle following the article on this page. If you get stuck then refer to one of the YouTube tutorials posted in the QnA on this page. There is also a GIMP support forum online. Make sure you have the 2.8.16 version of GIMP as this is the compatible one for Windows 10.

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How can I make my text bold and black again, instead of a red outline?

My text is now off center on my circle path, and a red outline instead of black bold letters.. I have tried: I tried to fill the letters in using the fill option.. I think it was caused by: No idea.

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GIMPchat's Tutorial on customized text is perfect for you to read. They have posted step by step image examples for you.

I want to type some text in a circle so that the text is more or less the same length as the circumference of the circle?

I am having difficulty with controlling the font size. I can't work out big to make it to fit around the circle without trial and error but then it all goes horribly wrong if I change the font size!. I have tried: I have typed in one size, tried to fit it, found it wasn't big enough and then highlighted the text in the text box in order to increase the text size. But the font size kept reverting to a smaller value.. I think it was caused by: Mostly because I don't know what I am doing!

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VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

Hi I need to add circular ( arced ) lettering to a drum face?

Hi I need to add circular ( arced ) lettering to a drum face and I want to use Gimp but now it won't even load for me. I found instructions on using the elliptical tool but I have tried to download Gimp and it will not open on my computer.

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VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

How do I make normal straight text bend into an arc?

I am creating a logo and across the top I want the text to bend around it. I already have text and don't need to create from scratch

VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

How do I make the curved text movable as its own layer?

I followed the tutorial but I cannot center the text or even get it to move for that matter. . it is driving me absolutely nuts. The text has appeared but it doesn't appear in layers thus I cannot change text color or rotational orientation

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VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

Text looks strange and the color is gone. It only shows a wired form of the text without the color?

I followed all the steps in how to apply text to an arc. However, after adding the text to the arc, the color of the text is gone and it only shows "wired" form of the text. There appears to be a step missing in your tutorial. Not sure how to resolve this. I tried everything. Any ideas on what I'm missing? I followed all the steps in how to apply text to an arc. However, after adding the text to the arc, the color of the text is gone and it only shows "wired" form of the text. There appears to be a step missing in your tutorial. Not sure how to resolve this. I tried everything. Any ideas on what I'm missing? I have tried: I tried all steps over and over again to no avail. I followed all the steps in how to apply text to an arc. However, after adding the text to the arc, the color of the text is gone and it only shows "wired" form of the text. There appears to be a step missing in your tutorial. Not sure how to resolve this. I tried everything. Any ideas on what I'm missing? I think it was caused by: Nothing that I can think of. I followed all the steps in how to apply text to an arc. However, after adding the text to the arc, the color of the text is gone and it only shows "wired" form of the text. There appears to be a step missing in your tutorial. Not sure how to resolve this. I tried everything. Any ideas on what I'm missing?

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On the layer tab, create a new layer. Then go to the paths tab, right-click on your text and choose "Add to Selection". Return to the layer tab and, using the Bucket Fill Tool, fill in the selection with any color.

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My gimp doesn't have a background layer in the path selection like yours does?

I am missing a layer when I go to select the third option which is the path tool in this step.

VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

See more questions like this: Hi. I can't find the Selection to path on Gimp for Linux?

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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