How do you get text in After Effects to follow a path?

To get text in After Effects to follow a path, selecting the path in the "Path Options" is the correct approach. This involves accessing the text layer's properties and choosing the specific path you want the text to follow. After Effects allows you to create a mask or shape path, which the text can adhere to by using the Path Options section under the text layer settings. The text will then align itself along the defined path, allowing for smooth animation or dynamic placement as determined by the original path shape.

While applying a 3D layer to the text can change its behavior and appearance within a 3D camera space, it does not establish a path for the text to follow. Similarly, converting text to a shape layer changes it from editable text to vector shapes, but it does not inherently connect it to any path either. Adjusting settings in the Character panel impacts the font and styling of the text, but this is unrelated to following a specific path. Therefore, it is the selection of the path in the "Path Options" that directly facilitates the desired movement along a path for the text in After Effects.