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When I create warped arc text using the AI warp tool, it never seems to have great symmetry. Take a look at this example:

Warped arc text

To me, this graphic does not look symmetrical. The graphic looks pushed to the right. It seems Adobe Illustrator aligns the graphic with the top of the W, and the top of the N on the Y-axis.

Is it possible to align the curve based on the bottom of the W and the bottom of the N on the X-axis? Is there a quick setting/fix for this?

If not, how do I make this graphic seem more in align?

Any help is much appreciated.

Thank You.

Wyatt

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    No one seems to have mentioned this, but if you measure with a guide along the top of the letters W and N, they are actually symmetrical - so if you rotate that text to make bottom corner of the W touch the same baseline as the N, then the top will no longer be symmetrical. Either way, some symmetry will be lost.
    – Billy Kerr
    Jul 25, 2018 at 9:06

2 Answers 2

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The trick is using a dummy shape:

  • Group the text with a little shape at the right
  • Apply from Menu Effect > Warp > Arc to the group
  • With the Direct Selection Tool select the shape and move it to the left until the text get aligned as you want
  • Set the shape with transparent fill and no stroke

Dummy shape

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  • Great solution! Unfortunately, I'm hoping to automate this with data-driven graphics. Do you know of a solution that does not require the human eye to manually make it symmetrical? I'm guessing I will need to use envelope distortion.
    – Wyatt Jackson
    Jul 25, 2018 at 7:37
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    What I think is that you are looking for a generic solution for an exception, and that will bring you more work than you suppose. Maybe you should include in the question the complete solution you want to reach, avoiding the exception. It will be easier to get an adequate answer.
    – user120647
    Jul 25, 2018 at 8:05
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    I agree. @WyattJackson you asked for a quick solution and here it is. If you want an automated solution for data-driven graphics, that's a different, more complex question.
    – Luciano
    Jul 25, 2018 at 8:11
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    @WyattJackson The arc is symmetrical it doesn't get simmetrical in your exception. If you use a word starting with a M and ending with a E, it's perfectly symmetrical. Maybe this is not the question and arc is not the solution. Using Text on a Path you can align the text with the ascenders, and the baseline is aligned. Or use another font, one with the W without inclined strokes.
    – user120647
    Jul 25, 2018 at 8:21
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    you're right: I just tested here and it's very clear. Ignore my silly question :)
    – Luciano
    Jul 25, 2018 at 8:28
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If you want to have better control over the text, use a text on a path. There you can rotate the text to get a better alignment.

Create an arc or ellipse, type your text on it, adjust.

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