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Adobe InDesign/Resizing odd-shaped boxes

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Expert: InDesign Pro - 5/21/2009


Question

box
Hi,

I am typesetting a book that contains odd-shaped boxes in the margin. The box height varies depending on the amount of text. I can't figure out how to adjust the height of the box without adversely affecting the odd-shaped sides. Did that make sense?

Thanks,
Tina


Answer

Manipulating Boxes in
Thanks for the question, Tina.

That's a great-looking graphic you've created, good work.

Okay, here's what I would do. In InDesign you have the choice of two selections tools; the Selection Tool (black arrow) and the Direct Selection Tool (white arrow). Most people are more familiar with manipulating boxes, or vector graphics in Adobe Illustrator, but InDesign works the same way.

If you select your box with the Selection Tool (the black arrow), then switch to the Direct Selection Tool while it is still selected, you'll notice that there are little indicators in the corners as well as any intersection points. They look like tiny white boxes. Now, with the Direct Selection Tool, you can select those tiny squares individually and move them independently of each other. In your case, I would probably click-and-drag my cursor around the bottom corners to select them, and then use the arrow keys to nudge the box up or down. (see figure.)

Hopefully that helps. If you need clarification, let me know.

Scott

InDesign Pro

Expertise

As a professional graphic designer, I use Adobe InDesign every day and can answer all of your InDesign-related questions. I will give you easy-to-understand and precise answers, along with many tips and tricks to save you time while working on every project. I have spent years helping beginners learn InDesign, as well as helping professionals master the many features of the world's most powerful page-layout software. Thank-you for your submissions. Please include your operating system (e.g., Mac OS X 10.5.x) and InDesign version (e.g., InDesign CS4) with your questions. Thanks!

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