Working with Objects

Objectives Create an object Transform an object Arrange and lock an object Step and repeat an object Use Live Distribute Use the Direct Selection tool Modify corners and strokes Create a multi-state object

Creating an Object Shapes:  Add visual interest to a document  Serve as a background for text Tools for creating shapes:  Rectangle, Ellipse, and Polygon tools To select a shape tool:  Click and hold down the mouse button on the tool on the Tools panel  Select the shape tool you want to use

Creating an Object With a shape tool selected:  Shapes can be created manually by dragging in the document Or click in the document to open the shape’s dialog box and define its settings  Swatches panel: Used to add color to the fill and stroke (border) of your shape  Stroke panel: Used to change the weight (thickness) and style of the stroke

Creating an Object Converting shapes  Use the Convert Shape command on the Object menu  Can choose from: Rectangle Rounded rectangle Beveled rectangle Inverse rounded rectangle Ellipse Triangle Polygon Line Orthogonal line

Creating an Object

When you transform something you change its appearance  Transform commands include: Move, Scale, Rotate, Shear, and Flip  Objects can also be transformed using the Transform panel or Control panel Width, height, and location Objects are transformed from a reference point  Point of origin: point of the object that remains fixed during the transformation Transforming an Object

Transform Again command  Used to repeat the same transformation to an object

Transforming an Object

Arranging and Locking an Object InDesign objects:  Vertically stacked: Bottom to top in the order created or placed  Arrange commands: On the Object menu Used to change vertical order  Locking objects: Ensures its location will not be disrupted Easier to select an item on top of a locked item

Arranging and Locking an Object Smart guides appear automatically as you position objects on a page Smart guides are visual clues that let you know when the object you are positioning is touching a side or the center of another object, a margin guide, or the center of the page The Select commands on the Object menu allow you to select an object in a document regardless of which level it is on

Arranging and Locking an Object Figure C-5: Moving the rectangle to the back

Stepping and Repeating an Object Step and Repeat feature:  Quick solution for creating multiple identical objects spaced evenly Select object or objects to duplicate Enter the number of objects to create Enter the vertical and/or horizontal offset: how far copies will be offset from the original Group the objects: select two or more objects and make them into one selectable object by clicking Group on the Object menu

Stepping and Repeating an Object

The Move command is similar to the Step and Repeat command, but is more practical when you are moving one item and do not need to create multiple copies or a pattern

Using Live Distribute Distribute objects:  Place equal space between three or more objects Options:  Align panel: Distribute objects using a specific value  Live Distribute feature: Manually distribute objects until you achieve an exact result To rotate an object means to turn it around an axis or center point Multiple ways to rotate an object

Using Live Distribute Figure C-10: Selecting the three groups Figure C-11: Locating the resize pointer Figure C-12: Creating a new pattern

Using the Direct Selection Tool Use the Direct Selection tool to select just one of the items in a set of objects that are grouped together To select one item in a group, make sure that the grouped object is not selected, then click the item you wish to select with the Direct Selection tool

Using the Direct Selection Tool The Stroke panel has many options for creating interesting strokes Once a stroke is applied to a line or a frame, you can create a simple style using options on the Stroke panel

Using the Direct Selection Tool Figure C-13: Viewing the oval with a new fill and stroke Figure C-14: Making changes to individual ovals

Using the Direct Selection Tool To align objects means to position one or more selected objects in relation to each other, in relation to the margins of a document, or in relation to the boundaries of the page or spread When you align multiple objects with each other, you can align them by their edges or by their center points You use the Align panel to align objects

Modifying Corners and Strokes Corner Options dialog box:  Offers five types of corners (e.g., Rounded and Beveled) Setting can be previewed before closing the dialog box  To better see changes made to corners a thick stroke is recommended Change stroke weight on the Stroke panel

Modifying Corners and Strokes

Figure C-17: Modified corners applied to the photo

Creating a Multi-State Object You can create different appearances or states for the same object  Makes it possible to demonstrate one layout with two or more options for any of the InDesign objects First select the object, then click the Convert selection to multi-state object button on the Object States pane Two copies of the same object appear as thumbnails on the panel. Select one of the object states on the panel and then make changes to it in the Document window

Creating a Multi-State Object Figure C-18: Creating a multi ‐ state object

Creating a Multi-State Object Figure C-19: Viewing the red rectangle frame

Unit Summary  Create an object  Transform an object  Arrange and lock an object  Step and repeat an object  Use Live Distribute  Use the Direct Selection tool  Modify corners and strokes  Create a multi-state object