Herff Jones InDesign Tips & Tricks
More Compound Paths
Create a compound path from
two or more open or closed
paths. Use the direct-selection
too to change the shape of any
part of a compound path. You
can also make holes appear in a
compound path by reversing the
path’s direction.
For an asymmetrical look,
add rotation to just a few of
the frames. Then create your
compound path.
To create a compound path:
Use the selection tool to select all
of the paths you want to include
in the compound path.
Choose Object > Paths >
Make Compound Path
(Ctrl/Cmd + 8)
Choose File > Place
(Ctrl/Cmd+d)
Add depth by applying a
dropped shadow.
To break up a compound
path:
Using the selection tool, select a
compound path.
Choose Object > Paths >
Release Compound Path
(Ctrl/Cmd + Alt/Opt + 8)
Note: The Release command is
unavailable when the selected
compound path is contained
inside a frame, or when the path
contains text.
Create you frames to
accommodate your image file.
Adding a drop shadow gives your
design a 3D effect.
Frames do not have to be
rectangles. Incorporate shapes
that complement your theme.
2011
To reverse the direction of
a sub-path:
Using the direct-selection tool,
select a point on the sub-path
you want to reverse. Don’t select
the entire compound path.
Choose Object > Paths >
Reverse Path.
Note: If the compound
path is not complete, use the
direct-selection and select the
additional elements, Choose
Object > Paths > Reverse Path.
Herff Jones InDesign Tips & Tricks
Holes in an image. Because a Compound Path
allows two overlapping paths to act like a doughnut,
frames can be any size or shape. The one took
advantage of the paste Into feature with a 2 pt line and
drop shadow. The same image has been placed below
the one in which a transparency has been applied.
Images in text. The trick to inserting an
image into text is to use a heavy font with
the letters set very close together. In this
case the font used is AHJ Function Bold.
The size is 8.5 point with the leading set to
7.53 and the tracking set to -80%.
Because this is text, Create
Outlines must be the next
step. Multiple lines require an
ungroup. Finally, Compound
Path can be applied and an
image placed into the graphic
letters.
Paste Into is used in this technique. Position the
text directly on top of the image frame. Create an
outline of the text. Next, select both the text and
image frame and make a Compound path.
It’s important to position the image directly over
the frame. Then, do a cut to remove the image.
With the pointer tool, select the
compound path frame.
Lastly, go to the Edit menu and
select Paste Into.
2011
Herff Jones InDesign Tips & Tricks
InDesign CS3 Effects
Drop Shadow
Outer Glow
Bevel & Emboss
Basic Feather
Satin
Directional Gradient Feather
Feather
Drop Shadow Adds a shadow that falls behind the object, stroke, fill, or text.
Inner Shadow Adds a shadow that falls just inside the edges of the object, stroke, fill, or text, giving it a
recessed appearance.
Outer Glow and Inner Glow Add glows that emanate from the outside or inside edges of the object, stroke, fill,
or text.
Bevel and Emboss Adds various combinations of highlights and shadows to give text and images a threedimensional appearance.
Satin Adds interior shading that makes a satiny finish.
Basic Feather, Directional Feather, and Gradient Feather Soften the edges of an object by fading them to
transparent.
2011
Herff Jones InDesign Tips & Tricks
Grayscale to Color
1. Draw a rectangle directly over a color image.
2. Fill the rectangle with paper.
3. With the rectangle still selected,,
Go to the Objects menu > Effects > Transparency.
4. Change the mode to Color
5. Highlight and check Gradient Feather.
6. Change the Angle as desired
7. Click the OK button.
Grayscale to Color to Grayscale
1. Draw a rectangle over half of a color image.
2. Fill the rectangle with paper.
3. With the rectangle still selected,,
Go to the Objects menu > Effects > Transparency.
4. Change the mode to Color
5. Highlight and check Gradient Feather.
6. Change the Angle as desired
7. Click the OK button.
8. Repeat the process on the other side of the image
9. Add a - (dash) to the Angel of the second Gradient
Feather.
2011
Herff Jones InDesign Tips & Tricks
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Create the outer edge of the picture:
With the rectangle tool draw a box the
size of the outer picture frame.
Keep the box selected.
Create a New Gradient Swatch:
Select New Gradient Swatch from the
Swatches panel, fly-out menu.
Set the Type to Linear.
Set the Stop Color to CMYK.
Set the left gradient ramp to:
0% Black.
Set the right gradient ramp to:
20% Black.
Select the OK button.
Go to Window > Gradient.
Set the angle to 180.
Close the gradient panel.
Pull 3 horizontal ruler guides onto the
box dividing it into fourths.
Add curved points:
With the box still selected, select the
Pen tool.
On the left side at the middle ruler
guide, hold the Shift key, click and
drag down to the next ruler guide.
On the right side at the middle ruler
guide, hold the Shift key, click and
drag up to the next ruler guide.
Pull in the Points:
Select the Direct Selection tool
(white pointer).
Hold the shift key and select both new
middle points.
Pull the point 1 pica to the right.
Both sides will curve.
Create the
inner picture
frame:
With the
Selection tool
(black pointer),
select the curved box.
In the Control panel, select the middle
proxy point.
Go to the Edit menu > Copy.
Go to the Edit menu > Paste in Place.
Got to the Object menu > Content >
Graphic.
In the Control panel, set the scale
percentage to 83%.
From the Swatches panel, set the fill
to Paper.
Create the curved shadow:
Go to the Edit menu > Paste in Place.
From the Swatches panel,
Set the fill to Black with a 50% Tint.
Go to the Object menu >Effects >
Basic Feather.
Set the Feather Width to 1p5.
Set the Corners to Diffused.
In the Control panel set the Rotation
Angel to 180.
Use the right arrow key to align the
middle of the shadow to the right of the
box.
Use the down arrow key to align the top
of the shadow to the top of the picture
frame.
Go to the Object menu > Arrange >
Send to Back.
Group the items.
With the Selection tool (black pointer),
select all three elements.
Go to the Object menu > Group.
Variation: Use this technique without the picture frame for Post-it Notes.
2011
Create gradient frame
Add curve points
Pull in points
Duplicate and reduce
Duplicate and flip