The Text tool simplifies the process of creating 3D text using system fonts. To use the tool simply choose the desired font, type the text into the Text field, and click in the 3D Viewport to set the start location for the text. The Text tool creates a special polygon of "text" type. These special "text polygons" contain metadata in the form of polygon tags that store all the information about the font used, size, kerning amount, and so on. As long as the text remains as this text polygon, the Text tool can be re-activated with the text polygon selected, and any of these attributes can be edited live. When the text polygon is beveled or extruded Modo converts them to "face" polygons and the text metadata is purged.
The following Text options are available for adjusting the Text tool:
• Text - enter the desired text into this field.
• Font - gives access to all fonts installed on the system. The font used for the text string can be changed at anytime using this pop-up, as long as the text remains in the native text polygon type.
• Size - use this value to set a scale for the text.
• Tracking - allows fine tuning of the space between each letter.
• Position X, Y, Z - this XYZ triplet value determines the starting position for the text string in 3D space.
• Location - shifts the position of the font up or down, relative to the start location. The options include Bottom, Middle, and Top. The default value of Bottom sets the bottom-left-most point on the font, at the start location. Changing the value to Middle positions the font at its middle (in height) and the Top setting pushes the font down such that the top-left-most point on the font rests at the start location.
• Justification - adjusts the text position to the right and left. The options include Left, Center, and Right. The default value of Left puts the left-most edge of the text at the start location. Changing this value to Center positions the text such that the center of the text string rests at the start location. Using the Right option pushes the text string to the left so that the right-most edge of the text rests at the start location.
• Split - determines how many text polygons to create. By default, the entire text string is a single text polygon, using the Line setting. Changing this setting to Word breaks the string into a single text polygon for each discreet word as determined using spaces. For instance "Hello World" would be two text polygons - one for "Hello" and one for "World". Changing the vale to Character creates a text polygon for each letter in the text string. The Word and Character settings are very useful when combining the text tool with various generators, such as Curve or Scatter, as they provide better granularity for shaping the text.
• Axis - determines the direction the text faces.
• Flip - determines the polygon normal direction for the text polygon faces.
• Make UVs - when this value is enabled (by default), Modo creates a UV map for all polygons created.