[Woodcarver] Aligning letters on an arc

[Sylda]

Oh, WOW, between you (Ivan/Clive?) and Susan I can now accomplish my circle
patterns with no new software expense.  Thanks so very much!!!!!
Sylda

On 10/5/04 8:33 AM, "Clive Goss" <clive at ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:

> Here's another way to manually align letters on an arc.  Print the desired
>> phrase in a single line on the very top of a page (or pages), leaving the
>> area below the letters blank.  Let the computer space them for you.  Now
>> draw a line through the center of each letter (and the center of each
> space
>> if you wish) and extend the line through to the bottom of the page.  That
>> creates a stem below each letter.  On your work piece or a sheet of paper,
>> draw your desired arc (circle) with a compass, making the top of the arc
>> correspond to where you want the top of the letters to be.  Now, using the
>> same setting on the compass, set the point of the compass at the top of
> the
>> letters and make a mark below the letter on the stem, the line you drew
>> through it. This forms an X on the stem which  should correspond to the
>> center of the circle.  Cut the letters apart. Leave the stem attached to
> the
>> letter down to  just below the X.   Stack them in order, first letter of
> the
>> phrase on the bottom  of the pile.  Run a tack through the stem at the
> exact
>> point where the straight line and the compass line intersect.  You should
>> have a stack of letters held together by a tack.  Push the tack into the
>> compass hole at the center of the circle.  Now fan the letters out,
> spacing
>> them as you wish.  The letters are held in place by the tack, keeping them
>> on the exact arc you drew with the compass.  Tape across the stems of the
>> letters to hold them in position.  Don't tape across the letters
> themselves.
>> You can then (1) slip graphite paper under the letters to trace them onto
>> the work piece, or (2) use spray glue to attach them to the workpiece, or
>> (3) use tracing paper or a copy machine to make a pattern.
>> Ivan Whillock Studio
>> 122 NE 1st Avenue
>> Faribault, MN 55021
>> Visit my website at
>>  http://www.whillock.com
>> Visit my Picturetrail album at
>> http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=ivancarve