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Mike Witherell
Community Expert
Mike WitherellCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 24, 2022
Question

InDesign icons resource

  • February 24, 2022
  • 6 replies
  • 912 views

Hey everybody,

InDesign has a host of onscreen symbols. When they appear, the mean something, but don't offer up a name or any reference in the Help file system.

 

For example, when you hover a type tool over a graphics frame, you get to see an icon of a small selection arrow along with an I-beam in a big dotted circle.

 

Where can I get that icon art? Is it buried somewhere within InDesign? There are many others I'm looking for as well.

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6 replies

Mike Witherell
Community Expert
Mike WitherellCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
March 8, 2022

Thanks for writing, Dan! I hope you are well.

Mike Witherell
Dan Rodney
Community Expert
Dan RodneyCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 26, 2022

For documentation I've always taken screenshots (I use SnagIt to freeze the screen and that let's me get cursors). I'm sure those graphics are stored somehow in the app, but I don't know if it's in a way that's accessible to us.

 

As for naming, I don't believe those cursors really have official names. I normally say something like: when you hover over ____ you'll see this cursor, which indicates _____ (or something like that).

— Adobe Certified Expert & Instructor at Noble Desktop | Web Developer, Designer, InDesign Scriptor
Mike Witherell
Community Expert
Mike WitherellCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
February 25, 2022

I knew I could count on you, Steve! I'm currently building a teaching thing and I'm taking the time to get the details right, if at all possible.

Mike Witherell
Brad @ Roaring Mouse
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Brad @ Roaring MouseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 25, 2022

I suggest we from this point forward call the first one the Witherell

 

    Mike Witherell
    Community Expert
    Mike WitherellCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    February 25, 2022

    If there is no official name, how about the "Convert to Textframe" icon? And how about the "Frame Selected" icon?

    Mike Witherell
    Steve Werner
    Community Expert
    Steve WernerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 25, 2022

    I have never heard of an official name so I think you can choose your own, Mike!

      Mike Witherell
      Community Expert
      Mike WitherellCommunity ExpertAuthor
      Community Expert
      February 24, 2022

      Does this one have an official name?

      Mike Witherell
      Mike Witherell
      Community Expert
      Mike WitherellCommunity ExpertAuthor
      Community Expert
      February 24, 2022

      Also, does this icon have an official name? 

      Mike Witherell
        R
        Community Expert
        Randy HaganCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        March 8, 2022

        This may not help for precise documentation purposes, but the crossbarred character in the center of the icon simulates what's known as a Chase Tool.

         

        In old cold type lettersetting days, it was the tool you used to shove lead type together tightly before you locked it up in the printer's chase. Not technically the Adobe term, but a neat little bit of trivia to lay on your students while you are discussing what the tool does.

         

        Randy

        Mike Witherell
        Community Expert
        Mike WitherellCommunity ExpertAuthor
        Community Expert
        March 17, 2022

        I remember using the quoin key to tighten the wedge quoins and other furniture within a chase to make a tight forme for letterpress. We had Heidelberg windmill presses along with some older Chandler presses used for making signs--one at a time. Man, that was a long time ago!

        Mike Witherell
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