Combine Shapes or Frames to Create New Ones?

We’ve already covered how to create standard shapes and frames for content, but we can actually create some bespoke ones by joining frames or shapes together using the Pathfinder panel (Window > Object & Layout > Pathfinder). The Pathfinder options are as follows:

• Add—Combines selected objects into one shape
• Subtract—Subtracts the frontmost objects from the backmost object
• Intersect—Intersects the shape areas
• Exclude Overlap—Excludes overlapping shape areas
• Minus Back—Subtracts the backmost objects from the frontmost object

In order to apply the Pathfinder options, your shapes must overlap at some point. Then all you need to do is select the shapes and click on one of the options. In the example shown, I have selected a circle and a rectangle and applied the following Pathfinder options (from top to bottom): Add, Subtract, and Minus Back. These are the three options I use the most for shape building in InDesign. You can use these shapes to add color for decoration; insert images or text for a very artsy style; or even wrap text around them (covered in chapter 4). As always with these great tools, play around and see what you can come up with yourself!