Defining a default stroke

[Bill Hopcraft]

I'm new to Indesign.  I've imported an image that shows an exploded view of a machine.  For each part I want to use a 0.5-pt. line with a solid circle at the end to call out the individual parts.  How can I save that line style so I don't have to redefine it each time I draw one?

[winterm · Accepted solution]

Define desired stroke with document open and active, and nothing selected. Only then draw actual lines. Your custom settings will stay as 'default'.

Same technique goes for text styles, fill / stroke color, some other things.

[smoothsea]

This is true. The only thing that I would add is to create an object style for your line and then select that object style nothing selected. Then you will be able to change all the lines globally should you (or your client) wish to do so.

Regards,

Malcolm

[Bill Hopcraft]

This is helpful.  Can you explain how to create an object style? Thanks!

[smoothsea]

Hi Bill,

Make a single line which appears as you would like, then select it and go to Window>Styles>Object Styles and from the palette menu choose New Object Style. The values that you see filled in will be taken from your selected line.

Under the Basic Attributes of the New Object Style panel you'll see that most have ticks and some will have lines. Untick most of these - you will probably only need the Stroke and Stroke & Corner Options ones.

At the bottom of the New Object Style palette check both Preview and Apply Style to Selection. Your line appearance shouldn't change. Give the style a meaningful name and click OK to finish.

Regards,

Malcolm

[Bill Hopcraft]

Thanks very much, Malcolm!  This was very helpful!