Draw Complex Text Frame Shapes in Adobe InDesign CS3
InDesign offers a lot of freedom in determining the shape of a text frame. Rectangles are the standard, and usually the best option, but sometimes we need something a little more adventurous. By manipulating a text box with the pen tool and the direct selection tool you can create just about any shape you’ll ever need. In this example we’re making a dinosaur. Pretty impractical in reality but it helps demonstrate the point that you are not confined to rectangles when making your text frames.
In this tutorial we’ll be doing everything with two tools and only working in straight lines. Later on we’ll combine lessons to get into even more advanced methods of changing frame shapes.
We are going to be using the pen tool to add points to a text frame and then use the direct select tool to manipulate those points into our desired shape.
1. Draw a Text Box
2. Find your tools; the Pen Tool and the Direct Selection Tool
3. Use the pen tool to add a ton of points to your text frame. When you’re correctly positioned over your text frame the X next to your pen will become a +. You then just need to left click to add a new point to your frame.
4. Use the Direct Selection tool to move the newly created points in order to make a new shape. I used the dots from the above illustration to make the tail and back foot of a dinosaur. Although it seemed like we had lots of points it is clear we’re going to have to add a lot more to make a complex shape.
5. Add more points and continue to shape your text frame. I was able to make a dinosaur in about 5-10 minutes. RAAR!
6.Use the Text Tool to select somewhere inside your shape and then begin typing away.
This was all done in about 10 minutes using a few simple tools; the pen tool and the direct select tool. This was also done using straight lines.
Tune in next time when we’ll address curved lines and next-next time when we’ll bring it all together.
As always, Happy InDesigning.
You don’t always need professional web development consulting to get your web design solution. If your dedicated hosting service offers colocation hosting as well, that should take care of your web page design dilemma.
