Selecting path via layers in type on a path object

[sPretzel]

Hi.

I noticed that when I create a path, then type text on the path with the Type on a Path tool, the path object becomes a type object! I then have no way (that I find) for selecting the path via the Layers panel but can only select the path on the object itself via the Direct Selection tool. If I do that, in the Layers panel, the selected path shows exactly the same as if I had selected the type object. The Layers panel seems to make no distinction between selection the type object and the underlying path.

Does the path object still exist? If so, can I select it as a path object, not as a type object?

Thanks.

[tromboniator]

You can select the path by clicking on it with the Group Selection Tool or select its segments or anchor points with the Direct Selection Tool, being careful to click only on the path and not the type. You cannot select just the path in the Layers panel.

Peter

[federico platon · Accepted solution]

The path of the text on a path is not seen or represented as a separate item

Using the Direct Selection Tool while holding Alt, allows to select the path that can be copied -without the text- and used in any other way as a separate item, available i n the Layers apnel.

[sPretzel]

Hello federcio. That's a good tip, I didn't know it (Direct+Alt)! Indeed, it the copied/pasted path appears as a path in Layers, not as a type. But I would have liked to perform some operations on the path itself, while maintaining the type on the path (the type would have hopefully adjusted itself accordingly). By doing Direct+Alt to select the path, I can perform some operations but the type doesn't follow along. So there doesn't seem to be a way then, other than recreating the text and the path with the modifications, from scratch.

Thanks tromboniator (funky pseudonym 🙂 ). I didn't know that either (Group Selection Tool); I never use that tool. I suppose it is the same as Direct+Alt. Good to know.

[federico platon]

try the following:

With the white arrow tool (Direct Selection) click to show/select the path, apply it a color to see that path. (Later you can remove it).

While it is still selected, choose the Pencil tool, click on the that and redraw a line, ending again on the path.

The path gets dedited, modified and the text readapts to the new shape of the path.

Alternatively you can use the Pen tool to edit that path.

Thus there are many ways to edit or modify a path in Illustrator, and the one used with Type on a path is not different.

[sPretzel]

Indeed. I don't know why the operation didn't work before (I moved the path via transform but the text didn't go along; it does now). Still, unfortunately, while I can do what you said, the object is still type, not path. And so I can't apply anything that would apply to paths (like Pathfinder operations).

[federico platon]

Could you please show a real example of what you would like to do?

1. You can use a copy of that path, as the original one is required to "shape"the type on a path

2. Text does not work with Pathfinder panel operations. You need to outline text, or group with other objects and use effects Pathfinder.

[meganchi]

This old post has a video to show you how to convert text path back to a normal path.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator/how-does-one-convert-a-text-path-back-into-a-line-path-in...