GPath CNC
Curved Text
Last updated Sep 8, 2026, 6:57 PM
1. Open Text
Click T (Text) under Draw. Curved text is part of the Text tool (there is no separate button).
Turn on Curve text in the Curve section of New Text or Edit Text. Curved text is a single line, line height does not apply.
2. Manual
Use Manual to bend the wording on a circular arc.
| Control | Description |
|---|---|
| Bulge | Slider — middle is straight, one side curves up, the other down |
| Canvas handle | Drag the up / down handle at the centre of the text |
The slider and the canvas handle stay in step. Dragging near the middle snaps back to straight.
3. Around shape
Use Around shape to run the wording along an existing outline.
- Click a shape on the canvas (it highlights while chosen).
- Press Apply.
Works with circles, arcs, ellipses, polygons, polylines, joined paths, and imported outlines. Other text cannot be used as a host.
| Control | Description |
|---|---|
| Inside / Outside | Which side of the outline the letters sit on (Outside by default) |
| Position along shape | Slide the wording around the outline |
| Remove from shape | Return the text to straight |
New text does not need placing first, it takes its position from the shape. The original shape is unchanged, and moving or deleting it later does not change the text.
To bend wrapped text by hand, Remove from shape first.
4. Create or update
Create Text or Update Text keeps the curve. Cancel closes without saving.
Each piece of text stores its own curve. Selecting or creating other text does not copy it.
CNC notes
Profile and pocket toolpaths follow the curved letters as they appear on the canvas. Move, rotate, or scale with Transform.