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The top line is as typed. The second line has an overall
kerning setting of -40, but notice how the "t" and "i"
as well as the "i" and "n" are too close. The final
line shows individual adjustment for the problem characters from the
second line.
Kerning settings in the Type Edit window. Negative
values reduce character spacing, while positive values increase spacing.
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Make sure you have read through the introductory pages
of this tutorial before you try the methods. Knowing how to accomplish
an action in typography is only a small part of creating excellent text
work.
Character spacing, or kerning, is the most commonly used typographic
command, so we will start here. Most text that you work with at display
size will require some adjustment.
Start by creating vector text on a new vector layer. PaintShop Pro
does not offer a real time view of the kerning changes you are making,
so you will be moving back and forth between the canvas and the Text
Entry window. This will seem awkward at first, but you will soon develop
an instinct for the kerning settings each situation requires.
In the sample at the left, the top line shows how the text appeared
with no adjustments. If you look closely, most of the characters are
a little too far apart, although the "t" and "i"
and "i" and "n" are quite close. For faster kerning,
I started by applying a kerning value to the entire word as shown in
the second line.
 To
apply kerning, select the Vector Object Selection tool from the bottom
of the Toolbox (shown selected here). Double click on the text to open
the Text Entry window. Highlight all text and specify a negative amount
to reduce the spacing between characters, or a positive amount to increase
spacing. I used a setting of -40 for this sample.
Click OK to close the window and check results in your
document. If most of the characters are now well spaced, you can do
the fine tuning of spacing for the remaining characters. In our sample,
the "t" is too close to the "i" which is too close
to the "n".
To adjust individual spacing, click to place your cursor
into the space that you wish to adjust. Specify a negative number to
reduce the spacing and a positive number to increase spacing. I used
as value of 30 and 20 respectively to adjust the single character spacing.
Click OK to return to your document and check the results.
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The spacing between the rows in the first sample is
far too wide. Adjusting the leading will tighten the rows.
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Line spacing
Line spacing, or leading (rhymes with sledding) is the second major
adjustment required for excellent type work. Take a look at the sample
to the left. The first set of text uses the default setting for line
spacing. You do not have to be a type genius to realize this spacing
is too large.
 To
adjust the spacing between lines, select the Vector Object Selection
tool and double click on the text to open the Text Entry window. Highlight
all the text and specify a negative number as the leading value to reduce
the leading, or a positive number to increase the leading.
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Keystrokes for Typographer's quotes:
Use the number pad and hold the ALT key down until you have typed in
all the numbers.
ALT 0147 for opening quotes
ALT 0148 for closing quotes
ALT 0145 for single opening quotes
ALT 0146 single closing quotes
A few extra steps gives a perfect look to quotes.
Turn the grid on for perfect character
alignment.
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Typographer's quotes
If you will take the trouble to learn a few keystrokes, you will have
the ability to use professional typographer's quotes. Also known as
curly quotes, these symbols add a real touch of  class
to a pull quote. Simply place your cursor where you would like to add
the quote and type in the appropriate characters from the list on the
left.
You also get a great look when you align multi-line text
with the quotes outside the alignment point. In the sample at the left,
the top quote is as typed with kerning and leading adjustment. But look
at how much better the second sample looks.
Create your text with line breaks, kerning and leading
as close to final form as possible (you will often make some fine adjustments
once the final placement is complete). Add one or two spaces to bring
the first character in the second row close to aligned with the first
character in the upper row. You will only get close with this most times.
Insert your cursor just ahead of the first character in the second row
and enter a positive kerning value to move the line to the right or
a negative value to move the character to the left. You must return
to the document to check the alignment. For perfect results, select
View>Grid to turn the grid on to check exact alignment.
And that's all there is to it. Well, that is all there
is to the mechanics of typography in PaintShop Pro. You owe it to your
designs to study professional techniques. Make sure you check the resources
at the end of this tutorial.
If you are interested in using text as a graphic element,
make sure you see Text as Design.
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