How to Create a Wavy Text Effect in Inkscape
Learn how to create a wavy text effect in Inkscape with this easy tutorial. Use these simple steps to turn words and phrases into a groovy wavy design for printables, SVG, and more!
Ingredients
- Computer
- Inkscape
Instructions
- Open a new template in Inkscape.
- Resize template (optional) - To resize the template, select File and click Document Properties. I always set my width and height to 500 x 500 mm but this can be customized to whatever dimensions you want.
- Add text - Select the text tool from the vertical toolbar on the right (the letter A). You can also select F8 if using a PC and T if using a Mac. Type your text and select the font you want to use. To select the font, click the small triangle next to the font drop down box. You can also click Text from the menu bar and select Text and Font to change the font, style and size.
- Resize Text - Click on the select tool (arrow) on the vertical toolbar. This first thing we want to do is lock the text. To do this, click the lock located on the Tool Controls Bar. Locking the text will allow us to resize the text while keeping the proportions the same. Next, click on the text and resize each word to the same width. The easiest way to do this is type the number in the width box. The height will be different but we want the width to be the same. I resized each word to 400 mm.
- Align and Distribute Text - First, select the selector tool. Select Edit then Select All. Next, click Object in the menu bar and select Align and Distribute. Make sure you have Page selected next to Relative to. Select Center on Vertical Axis to make everything centered on the template. Next, distribute the three rows of text evenly.
- Create a Wavy Text - Select the selector tool. Select Edit then Select All. Select Path then Object to Path. Select Object then Ungroup. Select Path then Union. Select Path then Path Effects. Click on the + in the lower right corner of the screen. Select Lattice Deformation 2.
- Move Control Points - Click on the Node Tool on the vertical toolbar. Then click on your design. You should now see all the nodes in your design.Zoom in and you will see control points on the grid over the text (Make sure you don’t click on a node by mistake). Click on each point and drag it up or down to create a wavy text. Move the control points around until you are happy with how your wavy text looks. Once your text looks the way you want it to look, select Path then Object to Path.
- Change Color of Text - To change the color of every letter or every word, select Path, Object to Path, then, Break Apart.Use the select tool to select each row of letters that you want to group. If you need to select an additional letter that isn’t selected, hold down the shift key and click on the letter that you want to include in each group. Select each word and select a color from the color palette or select Object then Fill and Stroke to change it to a custom color.
- Save Image - To save your design as an SVG, select File then Save As. Select Optimized SVG then Save. Your design can also be saved as a PNG. To do this select File then Export. Choose the folder icon to browse export directory. Choose where you want to save your image, type the name of your file, and select Save.