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Text on a curve

Bend text along an arbitrary path. Useful for circular labels, ribbons, custom logos.

The Text tool has a Path layout mode that binds the text to follow a vector path. Letters orient to the path's tangent, spacing follows the path's length.

What you need

  • The curve you want the text to follow, as a vector path on the canvas (or a shape you can convert to a path).
  • ~5 minutes.

Steps

1. Have the curve

Draw or import the path that the text should follow. A simple ellipse for circular text. An imported SVG curve for decorative work. Whatever shape.

The path can be in any layer. Beam Bench will use the path geometry but not the path itself for the text layout.

2. Create the text

  • Activate the Text tool (Ctrl+T).
  • Click on the canvas where the text should start.
  • Type the text.
  • Press Esc to commit.

The text appears as a normal horizontal string.

3. Switch to Path layout mode

With the text selected (or with the Text tool still active and the text in edit mode):

The text immediately tries to follow a path, but it does not know which one yet.

4. Pick the guide path

Still in the Text section of the Properties Toolbar:

  • Find Guide Path.
  • Click Pick.
  • Click the path on the canvas you want the text to follow.

The text now bends along the path.

5. Adjust

  • Offset: distance from the path. Positive moves the text away from the path; negative moves it inside (for closed paths).
  • HSpace: adjust letter spacing if it is too tight or too loose around the curve.
  • Align X: controls where on the path the text anchors (Left / Center / Right).

6. Cut or engrave

The text behaves like any other text from here. Assign to a layer (cut for line text, fill for engraved text), frame, preview, run.

Tips

  • Symmetrical text (like names on a curved tag), center-align and put the path's midpoint at the bottom or top of the text.
  • Long text on tight curves: use HSpace to add space between letters so they do not overlap on the inside of the curve.
  • Text outside vs inside the path: flip the path direction or change the Offset sign.

Bend mode (alternative)

For simple circular text, Layout Mode → Bend with a Bend Radius value gives you a quick arc without needing a separate path. Pick whichever is faster for the shape.

Verify it worked

  • The text follows the curve cleanly with no awkward letter rotation.
  • Preview shows the text engraving at expected size and orientation.

Cut acrylic with kerf compensation

Make press-fit acrylic parts that actually fit. Measure your kerf, then tell Beam Bench.

Nest shapes for material efficiency

Pack many parts onto a single sheet with minimum waste. Beam Bench runs the math; you set the constraints.

On this page

What you needSteps1. Have the curve2. Create the text3. Switch to Path layout mode4. Pick the guide path5. Adjust6. Cut or engraveTipsBend mode (alternative)Verify it workedRelated