Comments on: Three Ways to Get an Image Inside Text

By: Meredith

Meredith — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:54:55 +0000

I have created a couple of lines of text, aligned towards spine. I highlight all the text and click “create outlines”, but when I go to choose it to place the picture, it will only allow me to choose one line at a time. It will not let me group them or shift-click them to select more than one. I cannot figure it out!! Please help?!

By: David Blatner

David Blatner — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:33:36 +0000

@Barnaby: I’m not sure what the problem is, but one possibility: Are you using a spot color? If so, make sure Overprint Preview is turned on in Acrobat. Many of ID’s transparency effects require that. Search for overprint preview on this site to find more.

By: Barnaby Lambert

Barnaby Lambert — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:59:31 +0000

When I export to a PDF a design which uses the Knockout Group effect, it does not work at all, the text just assumes the colour of the box it was inside. If I open the PDF with acrobat the text is visible but on any other software, and when I print it, I just get a big box.

I have noticed a few people have this problems but nobody has yet solved the mystery?

Any Ideas?

By: applecoremom1

applecoremom1 — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 08:48:26 +0000

David Blatner – You are the god of Indesign. I’ve been cracking my head on this for an embarrassingly long time – and here you have it, the world’s simplest solution. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

By: J

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:57:14 +0000

Re multiply with black frame – don’t forget that for print output, 100K won’t be that black. With multiply, as per overprinted 100 black, the image will show through slightly. (prefs – ‘overprint black swatch at 100%’ can catch you out here, even if you aren’t multiplying the black over an image)

60C100K gives a better ‘dark black’ for print IMO…

By: Diana

Diana — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:28:55 +0000

Very, very cool! Thanks!!

By: Eugene

Eugene — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:06:54 +0000

Well, the PDF route that Bob mentions is best. Simply because when you print a pdf the vectors are preserved, where as with a PSD the vector masks, shapes, etc. are rasterised on output (I’m nearly sure, it’s been 2 weeks since I’ve seen my beloved computer). If you supply someone a PSD file and they open it and make changes yada yada yada and save it again, place it in the layout and vectors are converted to raster on output only. Whereas if you gave them a layered PDF then they would be able to open it, edit the vectors and place it and print it with all the vectors printing as expected.

So Indesign can deliver the PDF just as Photoshop can, so it’s much of the same in my eyes.

The functionality is the same, the result is the same, the only thing that changes is how quick it is to do it in InDesign. Some systems can’t open more than 2 apps at a time (I know it’s a sad point).

Some people only deal with page layout and design and don’t have illustrator or photoshop. I have and know how to use both of the aforementioned apps, but I rarely ever have them open. I receive files and layout the content most of the time. I could probably get by without photoshop and illustrator, really.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t do it in one app or the other. I’m just saying some people don’t have the means to open/work/use/etc. photoshop.

I think the tip is excellent and it negates the photoshop route which yields similar results and that’s the point wasn’t it? Using InDesign to get the result and showing that you don’t need to go to Photoshop for menial tasks (only menial when you know how )

I have to say though, I like having an actual image file to place, rather than a complex piece of indesigning, it’s just that it could clutter up the resources if you ask indesign to do too much.

By: Roland

Roland — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:41:45 +0000

Like Bob I tend to use Photoshop for this, but more because my customers want to get certain images for their sites or used in other projects, and I find it easier to have the PSD file ready for everything rather than messing with exporting from InDesign.

It’s good to be back at work, ’cause I can now finally visit this site again (I can’t get to it from home, no matter what I try). Too bad work also implies working and dealing with customers…
A belated happy new year to everyone!

By: Bob Levine

Bob Levine — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:18:51 +0000

Cool stuff for sure and while I’m the first person to do something in InDesign “just because I can” this is one of those tasks that I generally outsource to Photoshop.

Save as PDF and place in ID.

By: Branislav Milic

Branislav Milic — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:25:08 +0000

Type Tricks : http://www.indesignvideos.com/3.zip

Download it, open it and enjoy !