How to Use Text Effects

Stunning text effects such as shiny, glittery, golden or textured text, are no longer the domain of Graphic Designers and their pro software. With Easil, you can master these skills in just a few minutes!

This lesson will introduce you to a few key text editing options that are available in Easil, to take your DIY graphics to the next level.

The following 4 skills can be learnt by clicking through to the in-application lesson.

• How to add a Soft Drop Shadow to your Text,
• How to add a Hard Drop Shadow to your Text,
• How to add a Glow Effect to your Text; and
• How to add and adjust an Image placed inside your Text.

GETTING STARTED

In Easil, when you click on any text box it will be in a selected state, ready to apply the text effect to. There is no need to highlight the text, as the drop shadow or glow will apply to all text within the currently selected text box.

ADD A SOFT DROP SHADOW TO TEXT

To add a soft, subtle drop shadow to your text with a blurry edge:

1. Select the text box by clicking on it.
2. Click on the Shadow Tool in the Actionbar, and select ‘Soft’ from the top pre-set option tabs.
3. Use the blur slider to adjust the softness.

ADD A HARD DROP SHADOW TO TEXT

To create a solid, hard edged drop shadow on your text:

1. Select the text box by clicking on it.
2. Click on the Shadow Tool in the Actionbar, and select ‘Hard’ from the top pre-set option tabs.
3. Use the Distance and Rotate sliders to customise the shadow, and try applying a new color to the shadow. Ensure you keep the shadow contrasting with your text color!

ADD A GLOW EFFECT TO YOUR TEXT

Create a soft neon style glow on your text:

1. Select the text box by clicking on it. We suggest using an outlined font for an amazing effect. Try Hussar Ekologiczny, Monoton or Montserrat Outline.
2. Click on the Shadow tool in the Actionbar, and then ‘Glow’ from the top pre-set options.
3. Use the blur slider to adjust the settings if required.

Hot tip: Duplicate your text layer, and position the copy directly above your original. This will increase the intensity of the glow.

ADD AN IMAGE INTO YOUR TEXT

Learning how to add an image into your text is a skill that will provide you with a huge range of creative options, ranging from gold, shiny text, through the textured and gradient options. And it’s SO simple to do:

1. Select the text box by clicking on it.
2. Click the Mask tool in the top Actionbar.
3. Whilst the text is selected, click the Images tab on the right Sidebar.
4. Click to add your image to the text.
5. To adjust the size or position of the image within your text, click on the Mask Icon again, and then in the sub-set of tools that appear, click on ‘Crop’. Use the handles to adjust the size of the image and press ‘Crop’ to confirm.

Ready to learn more? Check out this article about advanced Text Effects !