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sanmarip36006988
Participant
November 25, 2017
Answered

Blue Anchor Symbol Meaning?

  • November 25, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 6142 views

Hi there guys,

Totally newbie to Indesign. What does the blue anchor symbol mean on the bounding box.

I have just covered my text to a object because i want to put a picture in it. The problem I find is that I can only place my picture in one line of converted text, not multiple lines.

I am using CC.

Thank you,

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer cinziamarotta

    Hi,

    there is a difference in InDesign if you convert a text in outline selecting it as a text (text tool) or selecting it as an object (black arrow tool). In the first case you'll get an anchored object (identified by blue anchor symbol): it's an object in a text frame, each line of text is separated.

    In the second case you'll get a single independent object. If you ungroup that object and convert it in a compound path you can insert an image in whole object.

    In English the menus stay in the same position.

    4 replies

    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 25, 2017

    In some cases you can also do it with a transparency effect, which has the advantage of keeping the text live and editable:

    Here I have a text frame with no fill and the text filled with Registration placed over the image. In the Effects dialog I've set the Text to Screen, which makes it transparent.

    If your Transparency Blend Space is CMYK you'll need an absolute black like Registration to get full transparency.

    I've also added an Outer Glow with the Blend mode as Normal, the fill as white, the size as 10", and the Spread set to 100%. The Outer Glow creates the white fill.

    In this case the text is fully editable:

      cinziamarotta
      cinziamarottaCorrect answer
      Participating Frequently
      November 25, 2017

      Hi,

      there is a difference in InDesign if you convert a text in outline selecting it as a text (text tool) or selecting it as an object (black arrow tool). In the first case you'll get an anchored object (identified by blue anchor symbol): it's an object in a text frame, each line of text is separated.

      In the second case you'll get a single independent object. If you ungroup that object and convert it in a compound path you can insert an image in whole object.

      In English the menus stay in the same position.

        Barb Binder
        Community Expert
        Barb BinderCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        November 25, 2017

        Supporting cinziamarotta's correct answer:

        1. Undo what you have already done/start over
        2. Select the frame
        3. Type > Create Outlines
        4. Object > Ungroup
        5. Object > Path > Create Compound Path
        6. With the frame still selected, either:
          1. File > Place your image, or
          2. Copy an existing image, then Edit > Paste Into
        7. To move the image within the words, double click on the image with the letters and drag your mouse

        ~Barb

        ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
          amaarora
          amaarora
          Inspiring
          November 25, 2017

          Hi,

          Once you create outlines, the text gets converted to compound path. The blue anchor indicates, that those paths are anchored at that very position.

          You can segment your image into as many parts as the number of lines and place the segments order wise in the lines.

          -Aman

          Derek Cross
          Community Expert
          Derek CrossCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          November 25, 2017

          It would be easier to do this is Photoshop.

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