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N
NJ Author
Inspiring
December 5, 2018
Answered

Are add-on stroke styles available?

  • December 5, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 6272 views

I would like to apply a nicely decorated frame stroke to a text box that is used as a dedication paragraph (for my wife) in a publication that I revise annually. When I originally created the text box in Quark over 15 years ago I used a nice one in that software, but unfortunately InDesign doesn't ship with or import those design elements, so I went with the "triple line" border at 3 points. Functional but not particularly decorative.

I'm not a good designer and can't really come up with one myself, I just want to add one in from some unknown-at-the-moment source. The stock frame styles in Illustrator aren't particularly nice looking either, but I'd rather it be something that changes size with the text box in InDesign, rather than a placed graphic. Is it possible to use add-in stroke styles, and if so, where could I find some simple yet elegant designs? I only need one.

Please and thanks in advance.

    Correct answer SJRiegel

    There are a few hidden strokes built in, but I don't think these are what you are looking for

    https://indesignsecrets.com/easter-egg-stroke-styles.php

    You can also make your own variations of the think-thin lines, and add a styled corner for extra effect.

    Not as fancy as what Quark had, but maybe it could work for you.

    Otherwise, maybe you could find a stock image frame that you could use.

    4 replies

    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    Barb BinderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 15, 2020

    Hello, I have the same problem, I need more line stroke Styles.

     

    More ideas:

     

    ~Barb

    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
      J
      JerusalemNun
      Participating Frequently
      November 15, 2020

      Hello, I have the same problem, I need more line stroke Styles.
      I've tried what the posts on this thread suggest. The Indesign options are not what I'm looking for.
      I couldn't find any "styles to download".
      in the Strike Styles dialoge, there is a "load" botton. Where can one find Styles to load?
      what is the file format/extention of the loadable files?
      In which program can one create them, or import existing ones?
      Thank you all in advance.

        S
        SJRiegelCorrect answer
        Legend
        December 5, 2018

        There are a few hidden strokes built in, but I don't think these are what you are looking for

        https://indesignsecrets.com/easter-egg-stroke-styles.php

        You can also make your own variations of the think-thin lines, and add a styled corner for extra effect.

        Not as fancy as what Quark had, but maybe it could work for you.

        Otherwise, maybe you could find a stock image frame that you could use.

        N
        NJ AuthorAuthor
        Inspiring
        December 5, 2018

        That's a nice style right there, but I have no idea how to create it (or anything like it). Obviously those options alone didn't make that fance effect. I'm using CS6, incidentally, so I don't know if I have all the stroke options that later versions have.

        Yes, I could use a stock image frame, but my first preference is for a stroke style within InDesign rather than placing a vector image and scaling it to the text box.

        S
        SJRiegel
        Legend
        December 5, 2018

        The corner effects have been available for several versions back. Look under Options >Corner Options.  

        For the stroke itself, there is a Stroke Styles menu - choose New, and you can click on the panel to and or drag to change the width of stroke sections.

        Steve Werner
        Community Expert
        Steve WernerCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        December 5, 2018

        Try a Google search on "indesign stroke styles free download"

        I see some things listed there but you'll have to look through the postings to see if they're what you want.

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