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      Create and Edit Text in LightBurn

      Add, Customize, and Transform Text for Your Designs

      The Create Text Tool in LightBurn allows you to add, customize, and transform text in your designs. Text created with this tool is a special type of Built-in Shape called a Text Object, offering unique properties and effects.

      Ref-Text-InToolsToolbar

      Quick Reference: Text

      • Purpose: Add and edit text in your Workspace.
      • Access Points:
        • Tools Toolbar → Edit Text
        • Tools → Edit Text
      • Keyboard Shortcut:
        • Windows: Ctrl + T
        • Mac: Cmd + T

      QuickRef-Text

      Adding Text

      How to Create a Text Object

      1. Activate the tool by:
        • Clicking the Create Text icon in the Tools Toolbar.
        • Navigating to Tools → Edit Text.
        • Pressing Ctrl/Cmd + T.
      2. Click anywhere in your Workspace and type the desired text.
      3. Press Enter to start a new line within the same Text Object.
      4. Press Esc to finish creating the Text Object.

      Ref-Text-CreateTextDemo

      Note: The text will initially be centered at the point where you clicked. Adjust alignment using the Text Options Toolbar.

      Editing Text

      Direct Editing

      • Double-click the Text Object to edit it directly in the Workspace.
      • Alternatively, right-click the Text Object and select Edit Text Shape to open a detailed editing dialog.

      Ref-Text-EditText

      Tip: Enable Selection Double-Click Opens Text Edit Dialog in Settings to use the dialog window for editing automatically.

      Bending Text

      How to Bend Text

      • Select the Text Object to reveal the blue bending handle above it.
      • Hover over the handle until the Bend Cursor appears.
      • Click, hold, and drag to curve the text.

      Ref-Text-Bend

      Restoring Straight Text

      • Double-click the blue bending handle to remove the curve.

      Ref-Text-Unbend

      Distortion Toggle

      • Use the Distort toggle in the Text Options Toolbar to choose whether characters warp as part of the curve or remain unchanged.

      Ref-Text-DistortBend

      Advanced Curves

      • Use Apply Path to Text to curve text around more complex shapes or paths.

      Ref-Text-ApplyPathToText

      Text Options Toolbar

      The Text Options Toolbar lets you adjust key attributes, including:

      Ref-Text-OptionsToolbar

      Attribute Description
      Font Choose from installed fonts.
      Height Set overall text height (varies by font).
      HSpace Adjust horizontal spacing between characters.
      VSpace Adjust vertical spacing between lines.
      Align X Set horizontal alignment (Left, Center, or Right).
      Align Y Set vertical alignment (Top, Middle, or Bottom).
      Bold/Italic Apply bold or italic styling (if supported by the font).
      Upper Case Convert all text to uppercase.
      Welded Automatically weld overlapping characters, common with script fonts.
      Right-to-Left Enable right-to-left text rendering (for applicable languages).
      Text Mode/Offset Used for Variable Text features. Leave set to Normal unless using Variable Text.

      Ref-Text-AdjustingHSpaceAndVSpace

      Ref-Text-AlignXAndY

      Ref-Text-WeldedComparison

      Fonts

      System Fonts

      LightBurn uses fonts installed on your computer. To add a new font:

      • Windows: Right-click the font file and choose Install.
      • Mac: Double-click the font file and click Install in the preview window.

      Ref-Text-FontsContextMenu

      Ref-Text-Settings

      SHX Fonts

      SHX fonts are lightweight and ideal for single-line designs. Set the SHX Font Path in Settings to load these fonts into LightBurn.

      Icon Key for Fonts:

      • Ref-Text-SHXIcon SHX font.
      • Ref-Text-TTFIcon System font.

      Favoriting and Filtering Fonts

      • Right-click a font in the dropdown menu to:
        • Add to or remove from Favorites.
        • Hide fonts from the list.

      Ref-Text-SingleLineFont

      Moving Files with Fonts

      When transferring LightBurn files between computers:

      • Ensure all required fonts are installed on all devices.
      • If fonts are missing, LightBurn will use an embedded path to preserve the text's appearance but warn you that the font is unavailable.
      • Install the font later to regain full editing capabilities.

      Ref-Text-FontWarning

      Converting Text to Paths

      Convert Text Objects to editable vector paths for advanced editing:

      1. Select the Text Object(s).
      2. Go to Edit → Convert to Path or press Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + C.
      3. Right-click in the Workspace and select Convert to Path.

      Warning: Once converted, text properties like font and spacing cannot be edited.

      Summary

      The Create Text Tool in LightBurn provides powerful features for adding and customizing text in your designs. With options for bending, styling, and transforming text, you can achieve both creative and precise results. Combine text with vector editing tools to enhance your projects and create truly unique designs.