Software: Ulead PhotoImpact version 7 and up
Author: Marlene
Home Page: Crabby Graphics

Title:  Path Wrapped Objects
Skill Level: Advanced

Featured Tools:  Path Wrap

Additional Files:  None
Description: I always wanted to be able to use the pathwrap function of PI on my own objects, not just on fonts.  I finally discovered that it CAN be done.  Here's how:
1.  Create a LINE object that is the shape of the path.
2.  Right click on the line path and choose "Wrap" and then "Add text to active path".  Accept the defaults by clicking on the OK button.
3.  Right click on the object, choose "Wrap", then "Properties".  (Keyboard shortcut is ctrl-w)  In the wrap edit box, change spacing to 0 and check distort text.   Now click on the Add button and add it to a wrap gallery.  Click on OK.

I recommend that you make your own wrap gallery, but you can add it to the existing wrap gallery if you want to. 
4.  Okay, now we are going to make a path object to use the path wrap on.  This tutorial will be using leaf shapes from the shape library.  
5.  Start a new document - I used 400 x 400.  

Go to the Shape Library in the Easy Palette, Pattern group, and double click on Leaf 5.  

Size the leaf just a little smaller.

Rotate the leaf and duplicate it.

Flip the duplicated leaf horizontally.

Arrange the leaves as shown at the right.

Draw a freehand line, making sure that the line is both above and below both leaves. 
 Turn on grid (ctrl-shift-r) and snap to grid (ctrl-shift-n).

Edit the line you just drew. Make sure that the lines begin and end at the same vertical grid.  This will allow the line to flow smoothly when we wrap it.
Turn off the grid.  Right click and Merge all.  Edit menu, Trace, image.  Accept the defaults and press OK.  Select the pick tool and move your new shape.  Press spacebar (or Enter key depending on your version)  to select the background and press del to clear the background.  Select your new leaf shape again. 

At this point you should resize your shape just a little bit.  By resizing it now, before we apply the path wrap, PI will make the finished pathwraped object the same size as your current graphic, instead of HUGE!
Go to the path wrap that we saved in the wrap gallery above, and double click on it.

Well, this isn't exactly what we had in mind, but we're getting close.
Right click, Wrap, Properties.  Check vertical. Click on Preview.  Much better!  Now, click on the count radio button, change the count to 12.  Preview.  Change the start and end height to 200.  Preview.  We're getting closer. 

You'll need to play with these settings.  It really all depends on your starting object and what look you are trying to achieve.
Notice that some of the leaves touch each other and where the shapes overlap you end up with a white space.  There are several ways to fix this problem.  You can change the count number until the leaves don't overlap, or you can change the shapes options so that even/odd fill is NOT checked.  Or you can use both methods until you see what you like.

You may now need to resize the pathwrapped object.  In this case I increased the size vertically.
To Try:

In the Wrap edit box, make the end height less or more than the start height .

Make it a 3D object, border 2, depth 7.
In conclusion:

1. Make a simple line path object.

2.Add text

3. Save in the wrap gallery.

4.  Make a path object.

5.  Double click on the saved path in the wrap gallery.

6.  Shift-W to edit the path.  Check Vertical.  Play with the repeat and position/size settings.

 

 

  
More Examples: