New Tools in Adobe InDesign 1.5
- New Tools in Adobe InDesign 1.5
- Using the Smooth Tool
- Using the Eraser Tool
New Tools in Adobe InDesign 1.5
excerpted from Chapter 5 of InDesign 1.0/1.5: Visual QuickStart Guide, by Sandee Cohen
I REMEMBER the first time I tried to use the Pen tool in a computer graphics program. I clicked the tool and dragged across the screen in the way I thought would create a simple curve. Instead, I got a wild series of lines that shot out in different directions.
When I finally got up enough nerve to try the tool again, it took a lot of trial and error but eventually I was able to understand the Pen and Bézier controls. Once I got it, I realized the principles are simple. To save you a similar hassle, Ive written the following easy-to-understand, step-by-step instructions to three totally new tools in InDesign 1.5.
Using the Pencil Tool
You may find it difficult to use the Pen to draw paths--especially positioning anchor points and Bézier handles. Fortunately InDesign 1.5 has a Pencil tool that is much easier to use.
To draw with the Pencil tool:
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Click the Pencil tool in the Toolbox (Figure 1).
Figure 1 The Pencil
tool in the Toolbox.
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Press and drag with the Pencil (Figure 2).
Figure 2 Press and drag to
create a path with the
Pencil tool.
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To close the path, hold the Option/Alt key (Figure 3).
Figure 3 Hold the Option/Alt key to close
the path created by the Pencil tool.
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Release the mouse to create the path.
You can change how the Pencil tool responds to the movements of the mouse as you drag.
To set the Pencil tool preferences:
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Double click the Pencil tool in the Toolbox to open the Pencil Tool Preferences dialog box (Figure 4).
Figure 4 The Pencil Tool Preferences allow you to
control the appearance of the path. -
Use the slider or field to set the Fidelity amount. The lower the amount, the more the path will follow the motions of the mouse (Figure 5).
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Use the slider or field to set the Smoothness amount. The higher the setting, the more the path will follow curved shapes (Figure 5).
Figure 5 The Pencil tool fidelity and smoothness
settings change the appearance of the path. -
Check Keep Selected to keep the path selected after you have drawn it.