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KristjanP
KristjanP
Known Participant
December 9, 2016
Question

Align stroke problem

  • December 9, 2016
  • 1 reply
  • 4395 views

Hello!

Before reaching out to this forum (or any other forums), I tried to search about this problem, but couldn't really find anything. I then tried Adobe Support Chat and did a remote connection session with them. I described the problem and it seemed that the support worker did understand it. Seemed like a problem on Adobe's side. I got an answer that they would "return to me in 24 to 48 hours" with some kind of solution or answer. In the end, I got no solution and the support now wants to close my case as "they believe my issue is resolved". Yeah, right. I feel that I was just left there and I've lost my faith in them. Although I did get a quick solution with another problem at Photoshop before that, so thanks for that.

Anyway, here's the problem:

When changing the stroke alignment of a text box or a rectangle in InDesign CC (2017.0), the action also changes the dimensions and the placement of the box. This is unwanted and this doesn't happen in Illustrator CC (2015.3.1), for example. There, the dimensions and the placement stay put, and the stroke is rendered correctly in relation to the box itself.

I've made a screen recording which showcases the problem. At first, I change the alignment in Illustrator, then in InDesign. Notice the box placement coordinates and dimensions at the menu bar. Video: Align stroke - Illustrator CC 2015.3.1 vs InDesign CC 2017.1 - YouTube

My final goal is to create a printable A4 form, which would consist of stroked text boxes. The placement and dimensions of these boxes are crucial and currently, because of the aforementioned problem, changing the appearance of the form afterwards is not possible. I could, in principle, get to the goal with a table or tables too, but there are also some problems (which ask in another thread).

Any recommendations, tips, solutions are welcome

Best regards,

Kristjan

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

vinny38
vinny38
Legend
December 9, 2016

Hi Kristjan,

You probably won't be glad to hear that but... That is just the way Indesign handles strokes. It it different from Illustrator, and you cannot change it...

You might think it is a hassle and it doesn't make sense, but INDD and AI have just different usages.

Would you prefer having a box that says its 100x100 mm but in fact looks 120x120 because of the 20mm stroke? I personally would hate that. Not talking about handling imported images that would become nightmare with such comportment...

You may want to have a look at this interesting-and related- thread:

Align Stroke To and Snap To are incompatible.

For tips and advises, screenshots and detailed explanation are welcome...

regards

Vinny

KristjanP
KristjanPAuthor
Known Participant
December 9, 2016

"but INDD and AI have just different usages."

Why would they limit InDesign at such a basic function? Why not give option to users to change that behavior on the fly?

"Would you prefer having a box that says its 100x100 mm but in fact looks 120x120 because of the 20mm stroke? I personally would hate that."

As a matter of fact, yes. In my particular case, that is (except I need a center-aligned stroke). I understand that it might not make sense when working on different projects. In mu case, I would simply calculate the "extra 20 mm" to page margins and be done with it.

To continue on what I need in the end, is that, for example, two text boxes with a stroke aligned to center would snap side-by-side so that the stroke they "share" would overlap 100%. Their outside edges would have a stroke, say 2 mm, and the stroke between them would also have a weight of 2 mm, instead of 4 mm it renders as of now.

I feel that this is an inflexibility in a very basic function. If that's the way it has do go down then fine, I'll try to create the work at Illustrator (and handle less flexible type options). And cancel the subscription, when the day comes. Luckily it's just a hobby right now.

    winterm
    winterm
    Legend
    December 9, 2016

    The problem is that I haven't found a way to change the column widths row by row. In the example above, you would acheive the border between fields 3 and 6 by dragging the border between them, but you can't do that to a single row - you'll just change the whole column width. I've tried all sorts of shortcuts and I've looked to the forums, too, but the solution eludes me. I know that's a pretty stupid thing to not understand, but that's how it is.

    And I don't know how to quote your replies like you do


    KristjanP wrote:

    And I don't know how to quote your replies like you do

    Here You are:

    Regarding cells, try 'Split Cell Vertically' command. Sure, select the cell(s) before it... Width can be adjusted using Shift key.

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