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How to attach a line to an object in InDesign?

Community Beginner ,
Nov 26, 2022 Nov 26, 2022

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Is it possible with InDesign to attach or snap a line to an object? That is, glue one end of a straight line to an object (a block of text let's say) and when I move that object, it pulls the line in the direction I move that object, but leaving the other end of the line stationary?

Thanks in advance.

 

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Community Expert , Nov 27, 2022 Nov 27, 2022

Great options from @Peter Spier and @Steve Werner 

 

Here's how I'd approach it.

 

Use the Direct Selection Tool ( White Arrow tool )- and marquee all that is to be moved - except the node that has to stay put. 

 

EugeneTyson_0-1669557022805.png

 

EugeneTyson_1-1669557038465.png

Node on the left is not selectedNode on the left is not selected

Drag it down by clicking and dragging the Frame Edge

EugeneTyson_3-1669557110685.png

EugeneTyson_4-1669557145504.png

 

 

And you're done.

 

Also works when grouped.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Community Expert ,
Nov 26, 2022 Nov 26, 2022

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The only way I can think of doing it is to place one end of the line (created by the Line Tool) to touch the edge of the text frame. Then, select the line and click the small square (color of the layer) and drag it to anchor to the text frame (you'll see a small T icon).

 

Screen Shot 2022-11-26 at 5.16.27 AM.png

Reselect the bounding box of the line and drag the opposite corner away from the text frame:

 

Screen Shot 2022-11-26 at 5.17.47 AM.png

Screen Shot 2022-11-26 at 5.18.33 AM.png

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Community Expert ,
Nov 26, 2022 Nov 26, 2022

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I think it would only work anchoring to a text frame, not a shape or graphic frame.

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Community Beginner ,
Nov 26, 2022 Nov 26, 2022

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Thank for your help, but I don't think it was that which a was looking for. I wanted to make sure I didn't have to touch the line anymore. Just to be able to move my block of text, and the line follows. (Not the whole line, but just one end of the line.)

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Community Expert ,
Nov 26, 2022 Nov 26, 2022

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Group them...

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Community Beginner ,
Nov 26, 2022 Nov 26, 2022

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As far as I know, if I group them, the whole line follow the text-block, not only one end of the line while the other stay stationary, which is what I want.

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Community Expert ,
Nov 27, 2022 Nov 27, 2022

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Sorry, didn't uynderstand the "rubber band" behavior you want.

The only way I can think of to do that is to make your frame and line into a single compound path, thyen use the Direct Select tool to select the frame portion and move that, leaving the fixed point of your line unselected.

The problem here is that when you create the compound path (Object > Paths > Make Compound Path) the line and frame become a single object and must have the same stroke as wall as share any effects.

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Community Expert ,
Nov 27, 2022 Nov 27, 2022

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I suppose you could release the compound path after you are done if that's a problem, but that's as much work as moving the end point of the line after moving the frame.

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Community Expert ,
Nov 26, 2022 Nov 26, 2022

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Could be scripted...

 

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Community Expert ,
Nov 27, 2022 Nov 27, 2022

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Great options from @Peter Spier and @Steve Werner 

 

Here's how I'd approach it.

 

Use the Direct Selection Tool ( White Arrow tool )- and marquee all that is to be moved - except the node that has to stay put. 

 

EugeneTyson_0-1669557022805.png

 

EugeneTyson_1-1669557038465.png

Node on the left is not selectedNode on the left is not selected

Drag it down by clicking and dragging the Frame Edge

EugeneTyson_3-1669557110685.png

EugeneTyson_4-1669557145504.png

 

 

And you're done.

 

Also works when grouped.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Community Beginner ,
Nov 27, 2022 Nov 27, 2022

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I get it! It works. Thank you!

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Community Expert ,
Nov 27, 2022 Nov 27, 2022

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Better than the compound path...

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Community Beginner ,
Nov 28, 2022 Nov 28, 2022

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Thank you for your help anyway!

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