"array" command in indesign

[danezeq]

Is there any command similiar to "array" (meaning, array selected objects along a line?

(i'm NOT refering to Step and repet command)

[Michael Bullo]

Could you please elaborate on what you are trying to achieve.

Are you scripting?

Perhaps post a screen shot if you are trying to achieve something specific visually.

[maxwithdax]

I think he means distribute along path. And.. no. That is an Illustrator feature. Depending on the use, you could mock something up like dots along the same path in illustrator to give you targets and then copy/paste it into InDesign on a separate layer to give you a template to align to.

Just a thought.

-Dax

[jane-e]

Dax,

I would agree with your except for that “s” on the end of “objects”. If there is one object repeated, I would go with your answer. If there are 10 unidentical objects, I am leaning toward mine.

We should get more clarification from Dan soon.

~ Jane

[maxwithdax]

But if you used the center point of each object, then you should still be able to align on a path using the method I explained. I think you are right though. A screenshot here would be really helpful.

ps. I think I would probably just do it in illustrator anyway and place as a general workflow.

-Dax

[jane-e]

danezeq  wrote

"array" (meaning, array selected objects along a line?)

Another possible meaning is to align the tops (or middles or bottoms) of the various selected objects, followed by distribution to space them equally apart. This can be done with the Align panel (or Control panel).

danezeq​, can you show us what you mean or define “array” without using the word “array” in your definition?

~ Jane

[Barb Binder · Accepted solution]

Hi danezeq:

"Array" sounds like scripting to me as well, but I googled it and came up with "an ordered series or arrangement", so I think Jane nailed it with "align" and "distribute".

Window > Object & Layout > Align. Pick Align to Selection from the menu.

Select the objects. Click button number 4 on the top row to align the top edges.

Then button number 5 on the second row to distribute evenly across.

There are many variations to be found in this panel, but perhaps this will get you started?

~Barb

[Laubender]

Hi danezeq ,

do you want to move a selection of objects following an arbitrary graphic line and distribute them along that graphic line?

This can be done with InDesign.

What you need is a text path. You could anchor all the objects to that path and distribute them using fully justified with the text formatting for that path.

From my German InDesign CC 2019 on Windows 10:

I added a text path to the graphic line and copied the objects one by one to the text path:

Distribution is paragraph formatting. Here justification set to Fully Justified:

A different thing is to center the text and its objects that are anchored to the text to the graphic line that holds the text path.

That's a setting with the text path options:

If I invoke the Story Editor Window you can see that the objects are anchored to text:

Details for creating a path text here:

Create type on a path in InDesign

Regards,
Uwe

[danezeq]

Thanks for all answers 🙂

My meaning is to place a serioues of elements copied from one element, and doing it in the most simple way.

Here is an example from Autocad: (you don't need to watch the whole video)

AutoCAD Array Command - YouTube

i think Laubender​'s answer quite answer this. i'll try now to do it.

[Laubender]

Hi danezeq ,

if the elements following a path are duplicates of a master element you can simply anchor one object to the text path and copy the selected anchored element that is a character over and over. Best do this in the Story Editor Window.

Regards,
Uwe

[danezeq]

What does it mean anchor an object to text path?

is it same like "copying to a text path" that Laubender​ stated?

[Laubender]

It's simple as that:

1. Select an object on the page.

2. Copy it to the clipboard.

3. Switch to the text tool and select a text insertion point.

Could be in a text frame.

4. Paste the object from the clipboard.

That will create an anchored object to text.

You can do that with an insertion point in the text path as well:

Work with anchored objects in InDesign

Regards,
Uwe

[danezeq]

Ok a progress! thank you!

now i just cant spread all the objects (whitch is text in this example) along the line. i copied all the prefences of paragrapth windows from your example but it is still RTL (or LTR) orianted.

[Laubender]

Hm. Looking at your last screenshot I'm not sure at all what you like to do.

Arranging text along a graphic line?
Arranging text frames along a graphic line ?

Something else ?

Could you do a screenshot of a situation where we can simply see the result you hope to achieve even if you moved text frames or objects around without using a text path?

Regards,
Uwe

[danezeq]

I would like to arrange text frames along a line. (like in your example, but text frames instead of shapes)

[Laubender]

Then copy a selected text frame to the clipboard and not selected text.

Switch tools to the Text Tool.

Select an insertion point on the text path.

Paste the contents of the clipboard.

As I already said:
Best use the Story Editor Window for inserting the object from the clipboard.

Just one object at one time.

More here:

Edit text in InDesign

( Scroll down to "Use the Story Editor" )

Regards,
Uwe

[Laubender]

If you are using the Stair Step Effect ( "Treppenstufe" in my German InDesign ) with Type > Type on a Path > Options you would get something like that:

Regards,
Uwe

[danezeq]

I manged to paste it along the line, the only thing is that it wont spread along the line.

For some reason it WILL spread along the line only if i type two or more charecters. i dont have any idea what's going on.

here's a video:

indesign trying to spread text 1 - YouTube

[Laubender]

Look into the widgets of the text path. It indicates where it starts and where it ends.

I think, your text path will not end at the end of the graphic line.

That said: If my assumption is not correct could be that we are seeing another bug with the Adobe World Ready Composer that is applied as paragraph formatting by default in your version of InDesign.

Regards,
Uwe

[Steve Werner]

I confirm that Uwe's method works with the Adobe Paragraph Composer in my English (US) version:

[danezeq]

What are the "widjets" whats that?

[Laubender]

The visible start and end of the text path. You can drag them around individually on the path to widen or narrow the length of the text path. Marked below with red arrows:

Regards,
Uwe

[Steve Werner]

Use the Selection (black arrow) tool to move the Path Begin and Path End markers (shown by Uwe with the red arrows). Not with the Type tool.

[danezeq]

i didn't change the widjets.

i've done the whole thing again from scrach (indesgin text wont spread - YouTube ). what am i missing?

i tried in 2 different computers with indesign 2019

[Steve Werner]

It looks like you may be using the World Ready Composer if you're typing in Hebrew. Uwe pointed out that that composer has had a number of bugs which have not been fixed, and, assuming you're following his directions, it could be a bug.