Reversing Text on a mirrored Path

[Jamie_Steel]

Hi,

I am having a nightmare trying to essentially flip text that has been mirrored. I am working on creating machinery stickers, it is a symmetrical design on either side so I have mirrored the template, this is when my problem with the text path occurs.

I have text on a curved line, when I try and flip the text round in the 'Type on a Path' options all it does is flip the text to the other side of the path baseline.

When I select flip with the scewed option I get something that is relative to what I am looking for - but with scewed text (see below).

Is there anyway to invert the text so it does not read back to front without having to try and create a new path? Mirroring the templates is a must - but surely there must be an easier way?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Jamie

[MichaelStephens · Accepted solution]

As far as I know, once you add text to a path there isn’t a way to get the path back through a command. However, you can create a duplicate of the path that doesn’t retain the mirrored text attributes.

I created a path, used the Text on a path tool to add the text “Text on a path,” mirrored it and now have the following:

Use your direct selection tool to select just the path.

Press Ctrl+ C to copy the path, press Ctrl+ Shift+ V to paste in place, select the original text-on-path shape, and delete it. Now you’ll have a stroke that’s exactly where the old path was but it doesn’t have any of the text properties applied to it. (I’ve added a color to the stroke so you can see it in the image below.)

Select your type on a path tool again, click on the new path and add your text again.

The text will be upside down, so go into your Type on a Path Options and turn on the Flip option.

Now you can change the text alignment and your text will be on a mirrored path but right reading.

Ideally, mirroring the path prior to using the Type on a Path tool is the better option, but this will give you a way to do this if you’ve already used the tool.

[lkreisz]

Thanks Michael, this worked for me! Great instructions BTW. I appreciate the time you put into this for us newbies.

[Jamie_Steel]

My apologies Stephen I used this method but forgot to come back and thank you for your assistance!

This worked perfectly and it's the way I work these nowadays. Thank you very much for the detailed assistance - have an awesome day you awesome person!

[Kulit28414252qccr]

My problem is a bit different, when I type unto the text path, it says "MUSPI MEROL" instead of "LOREM IPSUM", i cant seem to figure out what's causing this error, please help.

[Monika Gause]

My problem is a bit different,

By @Kulit28414252qccr

Please create a new thread if you have a different problem.

This sounds like you have a right to left writing system, right? Arabic? Hebrew? That seems to be interfering.

[Met1]

Your path is already mirrored - in any tool but text (or make sure your text is not selected), type o then return to bring up the reflect dialog...

[Astronomie-Québec]

Hmm… I don’t know if it’s the new version of InDesign (I’m running ID 2020), but it doesn’t work for me… (MacOS)

[Ton Frederiks]

"Hmm… I don’t know if it’s the new version of InDesign (I’m running ID 2020), but it doesn’t work for me… (MacOS)"

This is the Illustrator forum.