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What's the preferred way of setting up magazine or newspaper columns?

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    • October 21, 2015 at 10:00 am #78893
      McGuire Brannon
      Member

      I’m so impressed by InDesign, and tools like keep options make managing text fields a pleasure. I see a lot of magazines that have clean columns, often with vertical bars in between to offer separation. I have also noticed designers have reflowed the text around certain graphics, tables, quotes, and and other objects. I am linking a sample image for reference (https://i.imgur.com/9jkCUVw.jpg), and I have three questions about the best practices for achieving these results:

      1. What’s the best way to set up reusable, multi-column text fields, especially in longer publications like magazines and newspapers?

      2. Is there an easy way to create lines between the the columns as opposed to manually drawing lines each time?

      3. Is there a quick and easy way to have text reflow around complex objects, or is it necessary to use the Add Anchor Point Tool to create additional points for the text field?

    • October 21, 2015 at 10:05 am #78894
      Bob Terry
      Member

      There is an excellent script (InGutter.jsx) that will insert the line between columns. Great script…and free!!!!

      • October 21, 2015 at 10:06 am #78895
        McGuire Brannon
        Member

        Wow, great–thanks for the quick reply! I will check this out. Should I set up a table for the columns or simply put two text fields next to each other?

    • October 21, 2015 at 10:12 am #78896
      Bob Terry
      Member

      You simply set up your page with number of columns you want/need, and when you run the script, there are many permutations of inserting the lines—the length, location, how many, etc. You’ll love the script.

    • October 21, 2015 at 2:24 pm #78903
      Bob Terry
      Member

      By the way, just set up a full-page text box and select the number of columns you want. The script won’t work with separate text boxes. Then you can place graphics in or between columns and select Text Wrap to make the text flow around the image(s). I hope this helps.

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