Using Envelope Deformation
Envelope Deformation is often used to create interesting effects on text so this is the example we'll use in this recipe.
How to do it...
The following steps will show you how to use Envelope Deformation:
1. Select the Text tool (F8 or T) and create a text object by clicking on the Canvas and typing "INKSCAPE". Set the font size to 144.
2. Open the Path Effect Editor by using Shift + Ctrl + 7 or by going to Path | Path Effect Editor.... Notice that we have the message Item is not a path or shape in the Current effect area. This means we can't use Envelope LPE on text objects.
3. Convert the text to a path (Shift + Ctrl + C). We will get a group.
4. Under Apply new effect, choose Envelope Deformation and press the Add button. Notice that the group hasn't changed.
5. Untick the Enable left & right paths option because if we're deforming text, results are better using only two opposite envelope edges.
6. Select the Edit on-canvas option for the Top bend path and edit...
