Removing a non-compound, non masking path from blank document

Question

Hello.I'm new to Adobe Illustrator CC, so basic question but difficult for me.I have created a new blank document, and that is all l have done.I would like to insert text into the document using the Vertical Area Type Tool, however when l go to position cursor to add the text l receive following message"You must click on a non-compound, non-masking path to create text inside a path"I do not understadn how to remove the compound path and masking option from the document, considering the options relating to compound path, under object do not become highlighted when l go in search to unmake compound path.  It should be a blank, non formatted document l have created, so l think, and yet it tells me l have barriers.How do o lremove these barriers please?  I just would like a literal blank canvas.ThanksGreen Susan.

Bill Silbert · Answer

The screen shot below shows the several different Type tools available in Illustrator:

The Tool you have been using the Vertical Area Type Tool is designed to enter text from top to bottom inside a box that you have previously drawn. To use it draw a box on the screen with the rectangle tool or any other tool that will draw a box and select it. Then click on the edge of the box with the Vertical Area Type Tool and you will be able to enter text within the box. Depending on your version of Illustrator dummy type might be automatically inserted into the box but you can type right over it and it will go away. Please be aware that this tool is entering text from top to bottom so make sure that your box is tall enough to accommodate what text you’re entering. If what you are really trying to do is enter text from left to right the first two tools in the list above are used for that. The first one will enter text from the point of insertion (no box is needed) for as long a line of text as you need. The Area Type Tool (number two in the list) works the same as the Vertical Area Type tool except all of the text will enter as left to right and be confined within the box. Text will flow and automatically flip to a new line as it hits the edge of the box The Type on a Path tools are for entering text along a custom path or along the inside or outside of the perimeter of a geometric shape. The Touch Type tool allows you to edit the look of previously set text by clicking on it. When you do handles will appear which will allow you to edit the look of the type without having to convert the text to outlines.

By the way the message you got about non-compound paths, etc. just was a roundabout way of telling you to create a box to put your text into. Your document was never invaded by compound paths which you did not put there.

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