InDesign v Quark: Type on a Path

Quark

Quark has 4 type on a path tools: The Line Text-Path tool, Bezier Text-Path tool, Orthogonal Text-Path tool, and Freeform Text-Path tool. You can draw lines with these tools - straight, curved, and freeform. Switching to the Content tool will place an I-beam at the beginning of the line and then you can type text on the path.

To control text on a path, you can choose the Text Path tab of the Measurements palette or go to Item > Modify and choose the Text Path tab. There are 4 orientation options: Curved text (default), Warped text, 3-D Ribbon text, Stair Step text. You can change text alignment options and the way the Aline with Line, and also flip the text. You can alter the path and the text will follow it.

InDesign

InDesign has a Type on a Path tool but you don't draw with it. In fact, you can apply Type on a Path to just about any object drawn in InDesign - it could be a text frame, picture frame, or any path. Simply click on the edge of the path with the Type on a Path tool and the path will be activated for Type.

To control Type on a Path, choose Type > Type on a Path > Options. You can change the Effect to Rainbow, Skew, 3D Ribbon, Stair Step, and Gravity (which is almost completely useless). You can flip the text, change the alignment, change the text alignment on the path and alter the spacing value (which is kind of like kerning).

The type can be moved along the path by using the Direct Selection tool and clicking and dragging on the center, In, and Out handles on the path. If you drag any of these handles across the line, the text will flip over.

Significance

InDesign is the clear winner here. Not only can you create type on a path, but you can manipulate that type in a variety of ways. Plus, you can apply type on a path to just about any object that you create in InDesign. InDesigns type on a path model is identical to Illustrator's which makes it really easy to use and adapt.