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bobbyv5358573
Participant
July 23, 2019
Question

Live Text Clipping Masks. Can it be done?

  • July 23, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 2923 views

It seems like, that in 2019, we still can't make live text clipping masks in Indesign. WHYYYYYYYY??!?!?!?!?

What is the reason for this?

Am I wrong? Does someone out there know how to do it?

Is there a workaround using illustrator?

Thank you.

      This topic has been closed for replies.

      1 reply

      winterm
      winterm
      Legend
      July 23, 2019

      What makes you think we ever should? InDesign is a page layout app, it's about other things. We still can do some masking, making a live text "see-through", but for true clipping use Illustrator.

        B
        bobbyv5358573Author
        Participant
        July 23, 2019

        Live text clipping mask would be extremely helpful in Indesign. Other than keeping the program light, I don't see why this change has not been added yet. I am interested in knowing why not.

        In the meantime, I have found a workaround using Illustrator. The most obvious one really.
        Create an Illustrator doc and create your text masks in there as you would.
        If you have multiple Headlines or display copy with backgrounds it can all be created in the one doc, stacked.
        Place AI file into your InDesign doc (command D)  and adjust window frame to hide the other text masks.
        Copy and repeat.


        Not the most precise way of doing things but it works.

        Steve Werner
        Community Expert
        Steve WernerCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        July 24, 2019

        There are literally hundreds of requests (look at the link Eugene posted) for things each feature request poster thinks is absolutely the most important thing that must be added (and why wasn't it added ten years ago when I first thought of it?)

        Get in line. The place to carry on the discussion and get votes is on the InDesign User Voice site. It is read regularly by the product managers and engineers, and they use that feedback to make additions of new features.

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