InDesign for QuarkXPress Users [Electronic resources]

Precise Shapes with the Pen Tool

When we're creating a frame or path which isn't a simple shape, we always use the Pen tool (press P; see Figure 12-5), not the freeform tools. The reason: Despite the freeform controls we just told you about, it's almost impossible to create a precise path with those tools. InDesign uses a Pen tool and other path editing tools which are similar to those in XPress, and virtually identical to those in Illustrator or Photoshop. If you've learned to use the Pen tool in another Adobe product, you're home free! This section doesn't pretend to be a complete course in making precise paths (

Real World InDesign 2 covers the drawing tools in more detail). Instead we'll focus here on how InDesign's path creation tools are similar to and different from those of XPress.

First, a little terminology review when you're working with precise paths (see Figure 12-6): The tiny squares which control the shape of a curve are called

anchor points . InDesign uses

smooth points and

corner points like QuarkXPress, but it doesn't have

symmetrical points (they exist in InDesign, but there's no special control to create them automatically like there is in XPress). The handles that extend out from anchor points are called

control handles . Smooth points have two handles which move in unison around an anchor point. Corner points have either one, two, or no control handles, and their handles move independently of each other. The lines which connect the anchor points are called

segments , which can be either curved or straight.

Similarities and Differences

While QuarkXPress uses different tools to create Bézier lines, text boxes, etc., InDesign has only one Pen tool. Creating most paths with the Pen tool works the same as in XPress:

• Clicking makes straight segments

• Shift-clicking constrains line segments to 45- or 90-degree angles

• Dragging creates smooth points

• Shift-dragging constrains control handles to 45° or 90° angles

• Moving over a path starting point always closes the path (in QuarkXPress this only works with boxes, not lines)

• Clicking on the Pen tool after drawing a path lets you end one path begin a new one

As in QuarkXPress, it's a good idea in InDesign to watch how the cursor changes when you're working with the Pen tool. Table 12-1 shows several different Pen cursors, most of which are the same as in Illustrator and Photoshop.

Table 12-1. The Pen cursors

Corner Point Tip

Here's one InDesign Pen technique which can be a big time saver: making corner points as you're drawing (see Figure 12-7).