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In this lesson, I demonstrate how to apply text around an upper and lower circle - then how to align the lower type, so it is the right way up, and beneath the lower circle.
Undo and Navigation Steps
Two ways of undoing steps are from the top menu, Edit then Step Backwards. Alternatively, click a previous snapshot in the History Palette.
Navigate (zoom in and pan) your image using the Navigator Palette,
or the Zoom Tool. 
Activate The Hand Tool by tapping the Spacebar, keeping the Spacebar pressed, pan your image in the usual way. 
1/
Open a New image, and set the following attributes.
Tip
Grab your image’s top-right menu, and drag it diagonally, upwards - to display the image’s outer grey canvas.
2/
From the toolbar, activate the Ellipse Tool. 
And set the following attributes - ensuring Paths is active.
3/
Now, from the keyboard, press (and hold) your keyboard’s Shift key, and simultaneously drag a circular path onto the canvas.
4/
To change the circle’s shape and position; from the top menu, choose Edit then choose Free Transform Path, and your circular path will be surrounded by the following transformation bounding box.
Remembering to leave room outside the circle for your type; manipulate pull, the outer boxes. Pulling (manoeuvring), the boxes - repositions the circle, according to where you pull the boxes to. After you have resized, repositioned, and centralised your circle - from the Options bar, click the following Commit transform tick. Or press your Return/Enter key.
Your first circle is complete, and you are ready for the next step.
5/
From the toolbar, activate the Horizontal Type Tool.
And enter your type settings. Apply type lesson here!
Important Note
The size of your type depends on the size of your circle, and how many letters you will be using for the upper type. Remembering to leave room for the lower type, play with different settings. Ensure the Centre Text tab is clicked.
To display your Character palette, from the top menu, choose Window then click a tick before Character.
Now, hover your cursor over the top-centre of the circular path, and when you see the following I-beam.
 
Immediately left-click. You will then see the following flashing cursor.
As you enter your type, you will notice it automatically snapping to the circular path.
Note - applying type completely around the circle
At this point, you can apply your type completely around the circle, if you want.
When you are happy with your type’s position, from the type’s Options bar, click the following Commit any current edits tick.
Your upper type is complete, and you are ready for the next step.
6/ Change the type’s attributes - colour or size etc.
To change the colour, or size of your type, click the following Add a layer style (f, fx) icon - found at the foot of the Layers palette. Then click your choice of Styles from the subsequent drop-down menu. I am applying a Gradient Overlay.
 
In the subsequent Layer Style dialogue box, experiment with the settings (and Styles), and find a look you like. I chose the settings illustrated in my screen capture here. Then click OK.
7/
You have successfully applied your type to the upper circular (path) and it is time for the next step. Therefore, from the top menu, choose Layer then choose New then choose Layer, and name the layer Lower. Note: You will be applying the second circular path to the Lower layer.
Note
Your original circular path will temporarily disappear; to view it, click the type layer.
8/
Again activate the Ellipse Tool. Then (Shift drag) a circular shape, precisely where the original shape is applied. Both circles must be the same size. Remember to utilise the Free Transform Path command to resize the second circle.
Tip
Use the upper type as a guide for your second shape; ensuring the upper circle matches the lower curve of the type, precisely - as illustrated below right.
 
Then click the Commit transform tick to apply the change.
Note
If you click the type layer, you will see the first (original) circle. Both layers now have circular paths.
9/
It is time to apply the lower type. Therefore, activate the Horizontal Type Tool; and for symmetry, retain your previous settings. Now (ensuring you are working on the layer named Lower).
Hover your cursor over the bottom-centre of the circular path, and when you see the
I-beam - illustrated below.
Left-click. You will then see a flashing cursor, as you did with the upper type.
You can now enter your choice of letters - ensuring they do not overlap the upper type. For perfect alignment, you must experiment! After you have clicked the Commit any current edits tick to apply your type, your Layers palette will change to the following.
You will notice that your type has rendered upside down! This is quite normal.
Note
If your type is not following the lower circle; from the top menu, choose Edit then Step Backwards and try again, this can take a little practise.
10/
To flip the type the right way up; from the toolbar, activate the Direct Selection Tool.
Now, hover your cursor near your first letter - as illustrated below. Remember, your type is upside down; therefore, your first letter will be situated on the right-side. When your cursor changes to the following double arrow icon.
Left-click, and simultaneously pull the double-sided arrow slightly upwards -
above the circular path. This in turn, pulls your type above the path - and you will notice that your type is now the right way up.
Now, keep your left-mouse button pressed, and gently pull the double-sided arrow to the centre of the circular path. This in turn, centrally aligns your type, as illustrated below.
This technique quickly improves with practise.
After you have successfully completed this, you are ready for the next step.
Tip
Now is a good time to save your work as a .psd file.
11/ Adjusting the baseline shift
To quickly move your type to below the circle - from the Character palette, drag the baseline shift slider, from 0 to a setting that places your type below the path. For my example, I am changing the setting from 0 to Minus 28 pt.
Your type should now be placed below the lower path.
Note
Paths are visual guides and they do not print; to hide the path, left-click anywhere below the two layers - as illustrated below left.
 
12/
Now, still working on the Lower layer; apply a Layer Style to the lower type - exactly as you did in Chapter 6. After you have completed this, you are ready for the next step.
13/
From the top menu, choose Layer then choose Merge Visible.
Congratulations, you have created type around an upper and lower circle.
14/
To fill the transparent background with either, a Solid Colour, Gradient or Pattern, link Here.
15/
To apply a Custom Shape inside your type; from the toolbar, activate the Custom Shape Tool.
And set the following attributes in the Options bar.
Set your shape by clicking the following black triangle. 
Then make your choice from the subsequent drop-down list. Then click a Style for your shape, by clicking the triangle identified by the red arrow here.
Then double-left-click your choice to set it.
Now you have set your Custom Shape and its Style, drag it onto the canvas, and reposition it in the centre of your type. The repositioning tools needed are the Free Transform command, and Move Tool.
Align your type onto the circle’s circumference by working between both layers, using the Free Transform command; then drag the type layer above the shape layer. To
finish, from the top menu, choose Layer then choose Flatten Image - then save your work.
 
You can have lots of fun playing with your type, and applying shapes.
Wendi E M Scarth. Top of Page - Home.
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