Convert Text to Curves as a stroke rather than a shape?

[Hannah86]

Hello!

 

I'm not sure this is possible, but asking just in case!

I basically want to convert text to curves, but rather than the curves creating an outline of my text, have them as a single line (like how we'd write it)

I know when we're using the pen tool, there is the option to align on the outside, inside, or center - it's the center option I'd like to see. If that makes sense?

 

Thanks,

Hannah

[G13RL]

Hi Hannah86,

I'm not sure I understood because when the text is converted to curves it doesn't change its aspect (no outline is added to it).
In my example I duplicated the black text on itself, put the copy in red with an opacity of 47%: both have exactly the same size.
If you want to add an outline to the text converted into curves you have the same options as for the pen. See the final T in my example.

[v_kyr]

AFAIK the Affinity apps themself don't have a sort of only "center line" conversion or tracing function. - What you can do as a workaround is, to use some other (thirdparty) tool for bitmap/vector tracing which supports "center line tracing" and then trace your text with that one and save/export as SVG or PDF format, which you can reimport/reuse again in the Affinity apps then.

• autotrace (supports center line tracing)
• fConvert - online converter (see the "Trace font centerline" checkbox)
• rapid resizer - supports center line tracing

Further the latest Inkscape versions should also support center line tracing or there are at least also plugins/extension addons for this (inkscape-centerline-trace).

The bottom one is for example what rapid resizer will generate you.

[Petar Petrenko]

No, it can't be done.

[PixelPest]

2 hours ago, Hannah86 said:

If that makes sense?

Fonts are called Outlined fonts for that reason. There are rare centerline fonts most likely used for CNC purposes.

[Petar Petrenko]

Just type in "single line fonts" on Google.