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pn78204181
Known Participant
October 17, 2019
Question

How do I erase PART of a line drawn with the line tool in ID?

  • October 17, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 13246 views

I'm brand new to InDesign.   I've drawn a line using the Line Tool.  It's just a simple straight, vertical line.   And now I want to erase a segment in the middle of it, so the line will have a gap in it.    The erase tool just makes a little cloud shape but it doesn't erase anything.     How do I do this?    Thanks in advance!

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2 replies

Steve Werner
Community Expert
Steve WernerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 17, 2019

It's working for me in InDesign CC 2019. Here two images to show this. You must DRAG ALONG THE PATH over the part you wish to erase.

 

Steve Werner
Community Expert
Steve WernerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 17, 2019
I also support what Migintosh wrote. You should learn about using the Pen and Direct Selection tool to be able to work with more complex paths.
M
Migintosh
Legend
October 17, 2019

You can use the pen tool to do that.

  1. Start by selecting your line with the Select tool (black arrow)
  2. Click and hold on the Pen tool in the Tools pallet. That will show you the various tools nested within the Pen tool.
  3. Select the Add Anchor Point tool (the pen with the +)
  4. Click two points on your line where you would like the gap (you will see a new blue dot if you hit the line. If you missed, it won't add an anchor to the line, but just try again until you hit it)
  5. Switch to the Direct Select tool (white arrow)
  6. Click into an open part of your page to deselect the line
  7. Select the segment by clicking on it with the Direct Select tool, or dragging a marquee through the segment of the line you created by adding the two anchor points
  8. Hit the Delete key

That's one way, but there are others as well. Since you're brand-new to InDesign, may I suggest you try some instructional videos at Lynda.com or a book (InDesign Visual Quickstart Guide by Sandee Cohen has been recommended on the forum).

    P
    peternelson
    Inspiring
    October 19, 2019

    I don't understand step 7.   Once I've deselected the line (step 6) the blue dots marking my segment disappear.   If I draw a marquee anywhere in the line ALL the blue dots of the line including the end points and any other anchor points on the line appear, regardless of whether they are inside the marquee.   So what do I select just the segment I want to erase with and how do I tell that segment is selected?

     

    Thanks in advance for further clarification.

     

    BTW, I'm using Adobe CC.

     

     

    M
    Migintosh
    Legend
    October 19, 2019

    You delete the segment by selecting it with the Direct Select (white arrow) tool and hitting the Delete button. If you zoom in and see the anchor points before you deselect, it shouldn't be too hard to remember where they are, but if you like, you can drag a ruler guide to each one before you deselect the line. Also, when you click to deselect the line, click near the segment and don't release the mouse button before dragging the marquee. That way, the anchor points will still be visible while you drag the marquee, and you can go right between the two points.

     

    I fixed it in my initial instructions to make it more clear.

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