You can add an angle, often referred to as skewing or distorting, to text in Adobe Illustrator using the Free Transform tool.
Adding an angle to text allows you to slant or distort its appearance, creating dynamic and visually interesting effects. One common method involves using the Free Transform tool, which provides flexible control over scaling, rotating, and skewing objects, including text.
Using the Free Transform Tool (E)
Based on the provided reference, a straightforward way to add an angle to your text in Illustrator is by utilizing the Free Transform tool. This method allows you to distort the text shape directly.
Here’s how you can apply an angle to your text:
- Select Your Text: Start by selecting the text object you want to modify on your artboard. You can use the Selection tool (V) for this.
- Access the Free Transform Tool: Go to the toolbar and select the Free Transform Tool. The shortcut for this tool is E.
- Activate the Tool: Ensure the Free Transform tool is active. You will see a bounding box around your selected text with handles.
- Skew the Text:
- Hover your cursor over one of the points (handles) on the bounding box.
- Hold down Shift + Option (on macOS) or Shift + Alt (on Windows). Holding Shift constrains the transformation to the current angle, while Option/Alt allows for distortion from the opposite handle.
- Drag either horizontally or vertically from the handle.
- Dragging horizontally will skew the text vertically, and dragging vertically will skew it horizontally, creating an angled effect.
| Step | Action | Shortcut/Tool |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Select Text | Click on your text object. | Selection Tool (V) |
| 2. Choose Tool | Select the Free Transform Tool from the toolbar. | Free Transform (E) |
| 3. Position Cursor | Hover over a handle/point on the bounding box. | Mouse |
| 4. Initiate Skew | Hold Shift + Option (macOS) or Shift + Alt (Windows). | Keyboard |
| 5. Apply Angle (Skew) | Drag the handle horizontally or vertically to distort the text. | Mouse Drag |
This technique allows for a quick and intuitive way to introduce an angle or slant to your text directly on the canvas.
While the Free Transform tool offers manual control, Illustrator also provides other methods for more precise skewing, such as using the Shear tool or the Transform panel. However, the Free Transform tool with the specified modifiers is a common and accessible way to achieve this effect.
