Inkscape: Convert Text to Path?

Path->Object to path, note that sculpting tools will do the conversion automagically.

Thanks JazzyNico, that solved my question.

This answered the question.
Thank you

i'd like to create a text path/ a line from children song around elephant how do i do it?
got the elephant got the line but no command is working 4 me.why and how?

Hi nunip,

What you're trying to do is a bit different, because you don't want to convert the text to a path, but set a text around a path:
1. Select your text and the elephant shape, and use Text>Put on path (the text must be a real text, not converted to path).
2. Hide the original path (if you don't need it anymore) by giving it a transparent color.

See also:
http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Text-Path.html

What I am trying to do is to Convert Text to an object. I can do this but the letters become individual objects. I can't seem to group them into one discrete object. If I want to distort the line of text as a single object and place it on a rippled flag, I can't see a way of doing it

Tim Staffell wrote:
> I can do this but the letters become individual objects.
> I can't seem to group them into one discrete object.

Converting text to path with menu 'Path > Object to Path' creates a group, inside the group are individual paths for each outlined glyph.

To create a single complex path of all glyphs:
1) select the group (the result of 'Path > Object to Path')
2) ungroup it (menu 'Object > Ungroup' or keyboard shortcut 'Ctrl+U')
3) with the selection resulting from ungrouping still active, apply 'Path > Combine' (or keyboard shortcut 'Ctrl+K')

-> now you have a single object (path) you can use to deform as needed.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't think it's quite correct. Following your advice didn't give me a single discrete object, the objects were combined it is true, but didn't behave as one linked object, which is what my question was about. HOWEVER, opening the path effect editor after following your advice DOES give me the facility to edit it as a discrete object, albeit in a very clunky way - nevertheless, I managed to do what I needed to do - thank you.

> but I don't think it's quite correct. (…) but didn't behave as
> one linked object, (…) HOWEVER, opening the path effect
> editor after (…)

You mentioned neither of these details (linked path? linked to what?) nor path effects. My comment was simply based on the few facts you provided ("What I am trying to do is to Convert Text to an object. I can do this but the letters become individual objects. I can't seem to group them into one discrete object.").

ISTM that your question actually was about applying path effects to groups, and how to edit the control paths.

I should have thought that the final line of my question '...... If I want to distort the line of text as a single object and place it on a rippled flag........' Pretty much explains what I was asking doesn't it?

...and of course what I meant by that was conforming to the undulations of the flag itself....

Thank you very much JassyNico...It worked...usefull tips...Thanx...

I met a problem when I try to
1> convert a text line into object, apply 'Path > Object to Path'(or 'Shift+Ctrl+c),
2> then appy 'Path>Dynamic offset' (or Ctrl+J).

The text line (let's say "test") can be converted to path. But when I apply Dynamic offset, nothing happens. Normally I will see a tiny small rectangular on the edge of text, but this time I don't see it. Is it because I've changed somewhat default parameter set of Inkscape?

I've done it through:
1> apply text 'Path > Object to Path'
2> Ungroup it 'Ctrl+U'.
3> select all the single letter, apply 'Path > Combine' (Ctrl+K)
Now I can apply Dynamic Offset to the text now.

Thus, any suggestions?

@YanYun - 'Path > Dynamic Offset' (like 'Path > Outset' and 'Path > Inset') expects either a text (as text), an Inkscape shape or a regular path and does not work on groups:

«There are four commands grouped under this category, although one of them might be better thought of as a cloning tool. Each allows a path to be enlarged or reduced by moving each point perpendicular to a line tangent to the path at that point. A regular shape or text object is converted to a path automatically, except for the Linked offset command. The new paths are all closed, even if the original is open. »
<http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Paths-Editing.html#Paths-Offsets>

> Thus, any suggestions?

Either offset the text as text, or ungroup and combine it first if you want to outline the text first (convert to path).

This suggestion, this seems no quite correct. Following your advice didn't give me a single discrete object.

Regards
https://indiacelebratings.com