InDesign for QuarkXPress Users [Electronic resources]

Grouping

Grouping is a way to select two or more objects so you can work with them as a single objecta group. The grouping and ungrouping of objects generally works the same as in QuarkXPress, though there are a few differences, which we cover below. To group objects, first select the various paths or frames, and then select Group from the Object menu (or press Command-G/Ctrl-G). To ungroup, select the group and choose Ungroup from the Object menu (or press Command-Shift-G/Ctrl-Shift-G). Of course, you can also group multiple groups together, forming groups of groups (if you're into that sort of thing).

Where Are Your Groups?

When you select a QuarkXPress group with the Item tool, you see a dashed line around the group's rectangular bounding box. InDesign doesn't provide such a visual indicator, but you can use two cues to tell whether you've clicked on a group. First, if you see a single bounding box surrounding more than one object when you click with the Selection tool, the objects are most likely grouped. (They could also be part of a compound path; see Chapter 16.) Second, see if the Ungroup command is available in the Object menu; it'll be dimmed unless you've selected a group.

Selecting the Members of a Group

The Direct Selection tool generally serves the same function as QuarkXPress's Content tool when working with a group. You use it to select a member or members of a group so you can manipulate them without ungrouping. This works with most objects, but because InDesign also uses the Direct Selection tool to edit paths or work with picture content, you should know some tips for selecting members of a group.

• For filled paths, text frames, or straight lines, you can simply click on the object to select the member.

• If you want to select more than one member, click on one with the Direct Selection tool, then Shift-click to select the others

• To select an entire path within a group, click once and then either click on its nonprinting center point, or hold down the Option/Alt key and click again (see Figure 19-1).

  Figure 19-1. Selecting an unfilled path in a group

• For a graphics frame, click on the edge of the frame. (If you click on the center, you'll choose the content.) Press the letter V to switch to the Selection tool, and you'll see the bounding box of that graphic. Drag the center point if you need to move the graphic.