For many years we have used InPage to write Urdu and to create graphics with Urdu text. InPage is still widely used in the Industry but Unicode Urdu is also getting popular, with Unicode you don’t need any software or special operating system. Just install the Urdu keyboard of your choice and start writing Urdu in notepad or any other text editor. You can write Urdu in Facebook status, Twitter updates or create your own Urdu website or blog. Now a days there is a wide range of beautiful and stylish range of Urdu fonts is available for free.

photoshop-urdu

But how to create graphics with Urdu text over them? should we go back to InPage? The answer is “No”. Earlier there were special versions of photo editing software like Photoshop were available labeled as ‘Middle East’, with which you can write RTL languages like Arabic, Hebrew and Urdu. Now in Photoshop CS6 Adobe added the Middle Eastern type in all versions, you just need to activate the feature. Here is how you can do it.

For Windows Users:

  • To reveal Middle Eastern type options in the Photoshop interface, do the following:
  • Choose Edit > Preferences > Type
  • In the Choose Text Engine Options section, select Middle Eastern.
  • Click OK, and restart Photoshop.
  • Choose Type > Language Options > Middle Eastern features.

adobe-type-middle-east

For Mac Users:

  • Photoshop > Preferences > Type
  • In the Choose Text Engine Options section, select Middle Eastern.
  • Click OK, and restart Photoshop.
  • Choose Type > Language Options > Middle Eastern features.

rtl

Now to create content in Arabic and Hebrew, enable right-to-left (RTL) text direction. While RTL is the default direction of text, many documents also include left-to-right (LTR) text. You can seamlessly switch between the two directions.

When you are working in Arabic or Hebrew, you can select the type of digits you want to use. You can choose between Arabic, Hindi, and Farsi.

digits

You can download the 30 days trial version of Photoshop CS directly from this link. To install Urdu keyboard and a few stylish fonts download Pak Urdu Installer and start typing urdu in a matter of seconds. If you encounter any problem following the guide and writing Urdu and Arabic in Photoshop CS6, let me know via comment.