Revision Date: 27 February 2024

Text Tool 
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This tool allows text to be typed onto the current layer using the Primary color.

The Text Controls in the Tool Bar can be used to change the font, the size of the font, formatting, text rendering mode, justification, antialiasing and blend mode.

In a change from Paint.NET 3.5x, Fill Styles for the Text Tool are no longer supported.

Change the color of the text by changing the Primary color in the Colors Window.

While typing, notice the presence of a pulsing four-way arrow icon below and to the right of the blinking text cursor.  This is called a control nub. It is used to move the text before it is "finished". Click and drag the nub to move the text while it is still active.

When text is complete, press the Esc key or click Finish in the Tool Bar to render the text to the layer.

Text Tool Options

The first two controls in the Tool Bar determine the font to be used to render text and the size of the characters (shown here as 20pt).  Change the Font or Size by selecting another entry in the drop-down lists.  In the case of the Size, a new value can be typed directly into the text box.  Note that the Size will support values in between integers like 18.3pt.

Text Metric

From v4.1, Text is rendered using Points for the font size measurement by default. The previous font size metric, "Fixed (96 DPI)" can be selected via the dropdown to the right of the font size.

Points (image DPI): Points are a unit of length, often used in typography and in print media. One point is equal to 1/72 of an inch. Text rendered in points will be scaled according to the image DPI (Dots Per Inch). The approximate pixel height will be number of points * image DPI / 96

Fixed (96 DPI): Adjusts the font size to match the default Windows resolution of 96 DPI where one pixel is equal to one dot on the computer screen. Text rendered using pixels will appear with a base height the same as the specified pixel size.

Text Formatting

There are four basic formatting options for text: Bold, Italic, Underline & Strikeout.  These options can be enabled or disabled via the icons in the Tool Bar when the Text tool is active.

The formatting options can be combined by selecting multiple options simultaneously.

Text Rendering Modes

There are three text rendering modes: Smooth, Sharp (Modern) & Sharp (Classic). These correspond to DirectWrite rendering modes of Outline, ClearType Natural Symmetric, and GDI Classic, respectively.  The rendering mode can be selected from the Tool Bar when the Text tool is active.

Text Justification

Justification can be explained as the direction that typed text will extend away from the initial cursor position. There are three justification options:

 Align Left: Aligns the text to the left. Text will extend to the right of the initial cursor position.

 Center Align: Aligns the text centrally. Text will extend equally to the right and left of the initial cursor position.

 Align Right: Aligns the text to the right. Text will extend to the left of the initial cursor position.

The type of justification can be selected using the icons in the Tool Bar when the Text tool is active.

Antialiasing

There are two antialiasing modes associated with the Text tool.

These settings dictate whether the text is rendered in a clip-to-pixel mode or not.

When Antialiasing is enabled, the characters appear smoother, fatter and softer (upper example).

When Antialiasing is disabled, characters are rendered in solid pixels and appear more jagged and thinner (lower example).

Antialiasing can be switched on or off via the Tool Bar when the Text tool is active.

Positioning Text

Before text is committed to the canvas, it can be moved anywhere on the canvas. Click and drag the pulsing Move Icon (four-arrows-in-a-square) using either Mouse Button to reposition the text.

When the Move Icon is clicked and held, the keyboard arrow keys ↑ ← ↓ → can be used to move the text per-pixel.