Stars can be created using the text tool under "Drawing Tools". The graphic text is a text object that has no predefined width. The object is always single-line.

It can be influenced through drawing settings in the design, but the setting currently applies (so far) to the entire graphic text. The paragraph format has no effect on the graphic text.

The design does not have to be done through the drawing attributes. When the element is selected and dragged at the handle points, it changes its shape. At the corner points, it is proportionally enlarged or reduced; at the midpoints, it is distorted.

The distortion can be controlled and changed through the properties menu.

To create a graphic text, proceed as follows.

1. Select "Drawing Tools" from the toolbar.
2. In the first row, you will find the "T" tool.
3. Click anywhere in the document and start typing.
4. To finish the process, click outside the graphic text.

If you press the Return key while typing, you will get a new graphic text in a new line. This object is independent of the previously created document.

If you select a graphic text and do not start typing, but exit the selection, the graphic text will be deleted. Empty graphic texts will not be saved. This also happens if you delete the text from an existing graphic text and exit the writing mode.

You can change the design and content of the graphic text at any time.

You can click on the graphic text while holding the Ctrl key to select it as a graphic object.

Here you will find a small animation where you can see how a graphic text can be created and edited.

The special properties of graphic text

Font size

The font size of the entire graphic text is changed via the input field in points (pt). You can also do this through the floating toolbox.

An existing distortion of the text is retained. Only the font size is adjusted, not the current width or height distortion. If you make the change through the floating toolbox, it is handled the same way.

There are fixed limits for the font size: it cannot be smaller than 1 pt or the client-specific minimum and not larger than the corresponding maximum. The same limits apply as in the drawing bar.

When changing the font size, the graphic text also receives its own copy of the used drawing style. This keeps other objects that use the same style unchanged.
 

Width

The width of the letters is set in percentage using the slider and the associated number field. This controls the horizontal distortion of the text.

The possible range is between 10 % and 1000 %. The lower limit of 10 % corresponds to the same limit used when dragging the handle.

Changes are applied to the graphic text immediately while sliding.
 

Height

The setting Height works similarly for the height of the letters and thus for the vertical distortion of the text.

Here too, the value range is between 10 % and 1000 %. The change takes effect immediately while sliding.
 

Reset distortion

With this button, you reset the distortion of the text to the default value in one step. Both width and height are set to 100 % simultaneously.

Good to know

Fixed reference point

When changing font size, width, or height, the start of the baseline remains unchanged. This behavior corresponds to the drawing bar.

In the Base tab, however, a different reference point is used: there, the top left corner remains fixed.

Relation to the values in the "Base" tab

The settings for width and height in the Base tab and the distortion in this tab essentially affect the same properties of the graphic text.

When applying, only the values that have actually been changed in the graphic text are considered. Once a change is made in this tab, the values for width and height from the Base tab are discarded. This prevents both settings from overwriting each other.