Mini-tutorial on typography: how to use Open Type features in your text
This is not really a "tutorial", frankly - just a little tip on how to work with text in PS with better result. But I hope it will be useful. :)
Open Type is a font format (it has the .OTF or .TTF extention). One of its perks is that single font file can contain additional designs for the same character, like in the picture above, and that is what I want to tell about.
In my example, I am using the font called Bickham Script Pro Regular:
Now, not every Open Type font has those additional designs, but some of them do, which can be used to make text in your artwork prettier - if you know how to get to them.
This is how:
Open your Character palette, type your text and click on the tiny triangle in the top right corner of the palette, just under the "-" and "x" buttons. A drop-down menu will appear, the third option in it is Open Type.
If this option is gray and inactive, then the font you've chosen doesn't have the full OT support. However, if it is active, you're about to have some fun. Click on it, and you'll see another drop-down menu with various options:
Now, just click on available options and see what happens to your text. :) Usually it is better to use different options on particular characters or combinations of characters, to get rid of the "tails" that cross awkwardly, create a ligature, or add a pretty swash.
PS. Sometimes fonts are sold/distributed together with a PDF file in which it is shown what additional characters and designs the font has. Of course, we fanartists don't often buy commercial fonts, but if you got your font with an attached PDF file, it might be useful to check it out.
And this is it!
If you have something to add or clarify (or want to correct a mistake, which is possible because I learned how to use Open Type features just recently, myself), please comment and let me know. I'll appreciate it. :)