How to alter preset skew implemented in "italic" font?

[hughr52861935]

Hello  everyone,

I am a biologist, and have to use italicised text for generic and specific names. When writing text, I usually do this by selecting a word, then hitting Command/Shift-I (Macintosh) to generate a slanted font. I would like to be able to control  the degree of skew this procedure  produces - the InDesign preset seems to vary  between ID versions from 5° to 20° skew. Can I specify the skew I want (usually 5°) either for the whole document or in perpetuity until I change it again?  The alternative is to select each word in turn and enter the required degrees into the Character panel, very laborious!

[Doug A Roberts · Accepted solution]

italic fonts aren't slanted versions of the roman type, they're designed that way. each typeface will be different.

maybe you could do what you want with oblique versions of whatever typeface you're using, by setting a skew value and saving it to a character style.

[BobLevine]

When you do that, InDesign is choosing the italic version of the font, not skewing it. If you want to choose the actual skew you'll need to use the skew in the character or control panel.

You can speed this up by creating character styles for the various skews.

[winterm]

You can create special styles for each skew version you think you need, or define it in your existing style(s).

Define skew angle in Character Style Options > Advanced Character Formats

or

Define skew angle in Paragraph Style Options > Advanced Character Formats

So, later, you can always edit/alter that angle in one click.

**

As a graphic designer I must say it’s a bad idea to distort body text in a such manner, IMHO.

Just use proper typeface version, please.

[hughr52861935]

Thanks, Doug, Bob, and Winterm,

Using your hints I have elaborated a solution in  the form of a custom character style. The italic typeface of Helvetia Neue (which is my prefered font) has a 10° skew, a little too much for my taste. So I have altered a word in that typeface to a 5° skew, using the character panel, and then used that word to define the new style. I hope that isnt too terrible  from the point of view of the graphic designer. Thanks for your interest and replying so quickly.   Hugh

[Frans v.d. Geest]

hughr52861935  schreef

hope that isnt too terrible  from the point of view of the graphic designer.

As a matter a fact... yes it is. Really, really terrible. Very bad. No, not kidding... 😞

[Scott Citron]

hughr52861935  wrote

I hope that isnt too terrible  from the point of view of the graphic designer. Thanks for your interest and replying so quickly.

That's OK, Hugh.

Just know that type designers around the world are collectively gagging at the thought of graphic designers manually skewing their fonts instead of using italics!