System Requirements: 10.4 or above

Actually, I'm going to start out my review by saying that Art Text is very similar to a product that I've never used: TypeStyler. I mention TypeStyler because it's been mentioned as a reference point when talking about Art Text.

Ok, for the rest of us, what is Art Text?

After using Art Text for awhile, I like to think of it as a graphics program for your text. Art Text allows you to create all sorts of effects for your text. You would normally use this to draw attention to a small text phrase. Since Art Text is used to create some really eye-popping text effects, it's not something you would use for your entire document.

What sort of effects can you get with Art Text?

Actually, a more appropriate question might be, what effects can't you get with Art Text. There are all sorts of 3D looks, looks that make your text look metallic, looks that make your text look like wood and many more.

How do I add text effects using Art Text?

Actually, it's pretty easy. When you start up Art Text, it will start up with some text appearing in the bottom of the Art Text window. Of course, you can change the font like you can in any word processing program. The uniqueness of Art Text is its materials and styles.

You can choose which material to use for your text effect by simply choosing a category. Your text will change color and look depending on the material that you choose. However, your choices only begin there. Directly beneath the material categories, you'll find Shadow and Glow and Background. Background is very straight-forward. It's where you can add a background for your text. You can choose a plain color or use a graphic background. Shadow allows you to change the angle and amount of the drop shadow. Glow is a little harder for me to describe. If you choose that effect, it looks a bit like a Neon sign.

However, if you don't like any of the pre-made materials, that's not a problem since you can create your own. You do this by choosing "Create a Material" from the Category menu. When you do this, you choose the color of your new material and you can choose any color from an OS X standard color-wheel. You can then add what Art Text calls "Speculars". The online help gives a technical explanation of a specular. When you create one, you find out quickly that a specular looks like a light reflection. Since Art Text allows you to create any number of speculars, it definitely changes the look of your custom material. You can also change the direction and size of the specular as well.

What if I want to choose another text style?

That's easy to do as well. The drawer contains five different style categories: Line and Fill, Phone buttons, Shaded, Shaded with Image, and Web 2.0. If you don't like any of those text styles, you can create your own. I think it's a typographical error that it calls this "My Materials" instead of "My Styles".

When you start using "My Styles", you can change the material color just like you can do when any built-in style. However, if you click on the arrow in the "Shadow and Glow" area, the screen will flip and you'll be able to choose your own transformation type. You'll also see points in your text that you can drag in any direction you want. Depending on the speed of your system, you may want uncheck "Show effects" while you move the points around. Otherwise, dragging the points can be very sluggish. I've found that it depended on what transformation type I used and what material was being used.

What else is there in Art Text?

As I mentioned in the last section, the interface has all sorts of surprises. You'll definitely want to click on the arrows to see what's on the other side. Your text will change when it flips, but don't worry. As soon as you flip the screen back, the text will revert back to the look it had before.

How do I get my graphic text out of Art Text?

You have two options. You can export your text out of Art Text in PDF, TIFF, JPG, GIF, PNG, and EPS formats. You can also copy your graphic text to the clipboard in either TIFF or PDF formats. You can choose which format you prefer by changing this in Art Text's preferences.

Where's the Art Text documentation?

Currently, the manual is being written. You do have online help and a video screencast on BeLight's site that I found helpful in getting into how Art Text works.

What's this "retail version" and how is it different from the standard version of Art Text?

The retail version includes 50 additional BitStream fonts. It's $10 more than the standard edition but, for 50 professional fonts, that's not a bad deal. BitStream is a well known font creator. The retail version also can be bought in a retail box. This version is going to be available in the Apple Stores and other retail stores according to an E-mail that I received from BeLight. That's handy if you prefer not to buy software online. I like the fact that you can also buy the retail version via electronic download since I'd prefer not to have software boxes lying around my condo.

Conclusions

I realize that Art Text won't be for everyone. However, if you want a headline that pops, you're creating header text for a flyer, your own logo, a graphic button, or more, Art Text allows you to create output that can turn heads. It's definitely the type of tool that you want to use appropriately because it can be very easy to go overboard with a tool like this.

More importantly, BeLight has a free downloadable demo on their website. The only limitation is a light watermark on your artwork that says "Trial Version". This gives you the ability to see how well Art Text fits into your own workflow.