Skip to main content
forebrain
forebrain
Inspiring
June 13, 2019
Answered

Extra step for Bullets and Numbers in text block to be converted to outline.

  • June 13, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 1286 views

Why must bullets and numbers keyed in as part of a text block in InDesign be converted to text before covering to path, unlike in Illustrator? The User Manual teaches how it is done but not the rationale for this extra step.

      Correct answer SJRiegel

      If you printer requires it, (and you don't have the option of changing printers), converting text to outlines can now be done in Acrobat without all of the extra steps. 

      https://indesignsecrets.com/outlining-fonts-the-2016-edition.php

      3 replies

      Peter Villevoye
      Community Expert
      Peter VillevoyeCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 13, 2019

      The rationale is that the teams who work on these applications are pretty autonomous. Let's say they don't call each so much to see if they're working on the same thing. They do exchange features now and then, and sometimes corporate stuff is being imposed. But apart from that, they don't share much technology under the hood. After all, Illustrator dates from the mid-eighties, and InDesign from around 2000.

      John Mensinger
      Community Expert
      John MensingerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 13, 2019

      There is little point in comparing the type engines of Illustrator and InDesign They are vastly different.

      For that matter, you shouldn't be converting to outlines either.

      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 13, 2019

      Just adding my $0.02 that time would be better spent finding a competent printer than trying to figure out how to convert perfectly good type to outlines.

        S
        SJRiegel
        Legend
        June 13, 2019

        BobLevine  wrote

        time would be better spent finding a competent printer

        While this is certainly true, not every designer has control over who will do the printing.

        In my case, the purchasing department sources the printing, and they are cost-driven (as long as the final print looks right). If a printer that purchasing is using wants outlines, then we give them outlines.

          winterm
          winterm
          Legend
          June 13, 2019

          Covering to path? What is it? Converting to outlines?

          Bullets / numbers applied through the bulleting / numbering option are not text actually, that's why you need to convert it in order to retain on outlining.

          In general, you should never oh never outline live text in InDesign, except a few special cases. If your printer requires this, sounds like they're a few generations behind in their facilities.

          If you can't switch to better printer, at least read this old but still valid post:

          https://indesignsecrets.com/converting-text-to-outlines-the-right-way.php

          S
          SJRiegelCorrect answer
          Legend
          June 13, 2019

          If you printer requires it, (and you don't have the option of changing printers), converting text to outlines can now be done in Acrobat without all of the extra steps. 

          https://indesignsecrets.com/outlining-fonts-the-2016-edition.php

          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
          Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices