Page 23 - CC2018_ID_Look_Inside

CreAte A simple line
Although much drawing work is done in a dedicated illustration program such as
Adobe Illustrator, you can use the drawing tools in InDesign to create vector artwork.
InDesign includes two tools for creating lines: the Line tool for creating straight
lines and the Pen tool for creating curved lines called Bézier curves (although you can
also create straight lines with the Pen tool). In this exercise, you create the most basic
element possible: a straight line. You then add anchor points to the line to create a
multi-segment path.

1. With gcm-letterhead.indd open, choose View>Grids & Guides>Smart
Guides to make sure this option is toggled on. If the option is already
checked, move the cursor away from the menu and click to dismiss it.
Smart guides are a useful function of the application, making it easy to create and
precisely align objects. Smart guides show the dimensions of an object when you create
it; the position of an object when you drag it; the edge and center position of nearby
objects; and the distance between nearby similar objects.

This option should Note:
be checked (active).
You can turn off specific
Smart Guide functions in
2. Choose the Line tool in the Tools panel, then click the Default Fill and the Guides & Pasteboard
Stroke button at the bottom of the Tools panel. pane of the Preferences
The default options for the Line tool are a black stroke with no fill. dialog box.

3. Near the bottom of the page, click at the left bleed guide and drag to the
right bleed guide. Press Shift, and then release the mouse button. Note:
As you drag, the cursor feedback shows the length of the line you are drawing. The blue When drawing lines,
line previews what will appear when you release the mouse button. Pressing Shift as you cursor feedback shows the
draw forces or constrains the line to exact 45° angles — including exactly horizontal.
length of the segment you
Stroke Weight Stroke Style are drawing.

Line
tool

Cursor feedback
shows the length
of the line.

Default
Fill and
Stroke

Click here... ...and drag to here.

Project 1: Letterhead Design 33