GPath Laser

Curved Text

Last updated Sep 8, 2026, 6:57 PM


1. Open Text

Select Text (T) from Draw. Curved text lives in the Text sidebar (there is no separate tool).

Turn on Curve text under Curve in New Text or Edit Text. Curved text is a single line, line height does not apply.


2. Manual

Use Manual to bend the wording around a circular arc.

curved text handle

Control Description
Bulge Slider — mid point is straight, one side curves up, the other down
Canvas handle Drag the up / down handle at the centre of the text

The two options stay in sync, and dragging near the middle snaps back to straight.


3. Around shape

Use Around shape to run the wording along an existing outline or shape.

Click a shape on the canvas (it highlights while chosen), then press Apply. Circles, arcs, ellipses, polygons, polylines, joined paths, and imported outlines all work. Other text cannot be used as a host.

curve text around shape

Control Description
Inside / Outside Position the text inside or outside the host curve (Outside by default)
Position along shape Slide the wording around the outline to reposition
Remove from shape Return the text to original straight position

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.


Laser tips

Line and Fill operations follow the curved outlines as they appear on the canvas. Move, rotate, or scale with Transform.


See also

Text, Transform, Circle, Arc