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rcdinverno
Participant
July 9, 2018
Answered

Area type tool does not work

  • July 9, 2018
  • 6 replies
  • 24022 views

Hello, and thank you for helping me out. I am new to Illustrator CC 2018.

I was trying to use the area type tool with a picture of adobe stock and this message appears: "You must click on a non-compound, non-masking path to create a text inside a path". The same happens with Vertical Area, Type on a Path and Vertical Type on a Path tools. I had used other versions of Illustrator before and never had a problem with this, I've just installed Creative Cloud recently.

I was trying to find the same issues inside the forum but I did not find anything related to this version of Illustrator.

I would appreciate any information you could provide.

      This topic has been closed for replies.
      Correct answer knockout94

      Hey! I was just now struggling with the same issue as you and was looking everywhere to try and figure out why I was getting that error message you mentioned.  I ended up realizing that after I had selected the Area Type Tool, I was trying to click inside the shape.  After watching a video tutorial, I noticed they clicked directly on the border of the shape.  Such a simple thing I totally missed.  I don't know if this will solve your issue, but it worked for me!

      6 replies

      K
      Karen Beatriz5CDC
      Participant
      September 1, 2022

      I have the same problem. I created three circles using the "ellipse tool" (one inside the other) and I want to add a curved text by using the "type on path tool" in the outer circle. When I click on the path of the outer circle and it shows "you must click on a non-compunt, non masking path to create text along a path". I have already clicked on the line of the path as many have suggested but it just does not work. 

      Some people have mentioned the 'layers" but what should I do with them?

      Thanks

      Ton Frederiks
      Community Expert
      Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 1, 2022

      What does the Layers Panel show when you select the path?

      knockout94
      knockout94Correct answer
      Participant
      November 15, 2018

      Hey! I was just now struggling with the same issue as you and was looking everywhere to try and figure out why I was getting that error message you mentioned.  I ended up realizing that after I had selected the Area Type Tool, I was trying to click inside the shape.  After watching a video tutorial, I noticed they clicked directly on the border of the shape.  Such a simple thing I totally missed.  I don't know if this will solve your issue, but it worked for me!

        E
        Enid2558497242ub
        Participant
        January 5, 2024

        THIS!

        not sure what kind of update they made, but it used to be clicking in the area of the shape directly with text tool. clicking on the border will be for path text. this new change in the software made it so confusing.

        tromboniator
        Community Expert
        tromboniatorCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        July 10, 2018

        It sounds as though you are trying to use an image as a vehicle for area type. An image is not a path, so none of the type options will work. All require paths.

        Srishti Bali
        Community Manager
        Srishti BaliCommunity Manager
        Community Manager
        July 9, 2018

        Hi there,

        Along with the suggestions shared above, please try right click and release compound path. If it still does not help, would request you to share few more details like:

        Type of Image.

        Complete workflow or a video of the workflow.

        Regards,

        Srishti

        Kurt Gold
        Community Expert
        Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        July 9, 2018

        rcdinverno  schrieb

        I was trying to use the area type tool with a picture of adobe stock…

        What does that mean? Can you clarify?

          Larry G. Schneider
          Community Expert
          Larry G. SchneiderCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          July 9, 2018

          I have a feeling that there is a clipping path involved. Did you try making a new layer above the existing one and try the Text tool there.

          R
          rcdinvernoAuthor
          Participant
          July 11, 2018

          Hello, and thank you for all your help. I did everything you guys suggested me, except what JB Bouleau told me because I could not find Lorem Ipsum text, and I read in the forums that is not a free text with a very complicated way to enable it. Why would Adobe do such a thing when upgrading a program? That is my question now.

          Used a path as the first option, used a rectangle as my second option, Always working with a new layer,  then I came to the forums. Sorry if I'm a little frustrated, but it is obvious that something is off with basics in the program.

          I used a picture downloaded from Adobe stock, that I had previously resized with Ps. I do not know if Ps. has something to do with this or not. But it shouldn't right?

          Thanks

          A
          Anonymous
          July 9, 2018

          You can try this :

          1) Create a Rectangle (using the Rectangle Tool).

          2) Select the Area Type Tool and click on the Rectangle.

          It should create an Area Type (filled with Lorem Ipsum text).

          Does it work ?

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