Text Effects

The ability to control the appearance of any words placed on the shield as charges is a useful feature, however we should really avoid modern terminology and use appropriate heraldic wording. I make no apologies for the user having to learn these new terms, but the language is in keeping with existing blazonry! (There is a handy conversion table at the end of this page).

Textual Charges

Here is an example of a charge containing some arbitrary text:

the words "Fidus et Audax" gules

Note that it is followed by a tincture, just like any other charge, and it may be described as proper, in which case it will tinctured sable. It is important to enclose the words in quotation marks to group them as a single item. You can also include any punctuation characters required - if you want to include quotation marks in the text itself precede it with a backslash. I am sorry, but at present accented characters are replaced by their non-accented equivalents but I am working to correct this.

There is no in-built limit to the length of the text, it will simply be displayed at progressively smaller sizes.

Text charges are treated just like any other charge and may be positioned and arranged like any other charge.

Arrangement of Words within the Charge

By default, DrawShield will try to break the words into lines such that the final result is more or less square. (In most cases, square charges make the best use of the available space). You can change this by using one of the following modifiers after the text:

• disposed in fess - words are arranged in a single horizontal line
• disposed in pale - words are stacked vertically
• disposed in a block - the default
• enarched - words are placed along an upward curve
• embowed - words are placed along a downward curve
• wavy - words run along an upward then a downward curve
• encircled - words are arranged in a complete circle, starting from the "9 o'clock" position

Arranged is a synonym for disposed. You can also use disposed in a circle instead of encircled.

Alignment of Words

By default words are placed in the middle of each arrangement. This can be changed by using any of the following modifiers after the text:

• laying to the dexter - butting up to the left hand side
• laying to the sinister - butting up to the right hand side
• laying to the middle - same as the default

Appearance of Words

You may alter the appearance of the words by using any combination of the following modifiers after the text:

• (en)faced of X - this changes the font. "X" may be one of:
  • serif (or roman) - this is the default font and has the widest range of supported characters
  • "sans serif" (or plain) - a font without twiddly bits
  • engraved (or graven) - intended to look like it has been chiseled in stone
  • cursive (or script) - like very neat handwriting or brushwork
  • celtic - sort of Irish looking
  • carved (or carven) - intended to look it has been carved into wood
  • gothic (or gothick) - very ornate font that also looks a bit chiseled
  • hooge - astonishingly ugly, blocky font good for Warhammer pauldrons
• underlined, as you would expect but I can't think of a good "heraldic" way of saying this.
• enlarged (This is recognised but not supported)
• aslant(ed) (This is recognised but not supported)

Note the quotation marks around "sans serif", these are required.

For a complete list of all the glyphs (characters) supported by each font can be found here.

Special Charge Modifier

NOT WORKING AT PRESENT

ANY charge may be given a modifier like that in the following example:

a lion gules encircled by the words "By Appointment to her Majesty" or

The charge will be drawn within a circle of the given words. You can also use the appearance modifiers above to change how the encircling text appears.

Notes

The various modifiers above may be used in any combination or order, but must all come after the text.

If you find display problems, for example your words don't fit into the circle, try adding a few spaces inside the quotation marks - they will not appear in the final circle but will have the effect of making your text appear longer to the program.

Conversion Table