Advice for Callouts

Question

Hi all,
This newbie is slowly making progress. Now I need suggestions for the easiest way to add callouts for an image (example from FrameMaker shown below.)
I first tried to draw a little text frame within the main text frame. Nothing. Then I tried to use the rectangle tool and that wanted to anchor itself to the left side of my main text frame. Ugh! The text itself will be Arial, about 9 pt and use just straight lines to point to the graphic.
Many thanks for any ideas.
Lizbeth

Answer 1

Hi, Lizbeth:
Oooops!! Mea culpa!!
I just discovered that I stepped into my own trap, so I apologize for tricking you to step into it with me.
I tried to do what I suggested that you do, and now I see the problem. You're completely correct, it's not the same as FrameMaker, and it's awkward, to boot.
An ID anchored frame can contain text or graphic content, and in addition, it can have object properties like fill, shadow, etc. BUT, it is an awkward place to assemble the parts of an annotated drawing.
Your method of assembling the pieces on the pasteboard is the simplest way to begin stepping around ID's idiosyncrasies.
* One method I've found is to assemble the pieces - text frames, graphics, screen shots, arrows, lines, etc, on the pasteboard, surround them with a graphic or unassigned frame, group them all into a single object, then select the whole object with the Selection tool (black arrow in the toolbar) and copy and paste into the text flow at the insertion point.
To manipulate any of the individual grouped objects within the anchored frame, including the surrounding "background" frame, deselect everything (Edit > Deselect All, or click an empty spot on the pasteboard outside all other objects), click the Direct Selection tool in the toolbar (the hollow white arrow) then click the object you want to select. You can drag the selected object within the anchored frame, and you can cut or delete it. Although you can duplicate a selected object with Copy/Paste, or Option/Ctrl+Drag, the copy won't be "in" the anchored frame. To make copies that are usable within the anchored frame, you'll need to work in the pasteboard original and replace the graphic in the anchored frame with the modified copy.
[EDIT] You can edit text in the callout text boxes from within the anchored frame by double clicking in the box with the Text tool. In addition to moving individual grouped objects in the anchored frame, you can also resize the objects with the Direct Selection tool. You have to be very careful about what part of the text frame you drag when resizing, to keep the frame's rectangularity; it's easier to use the dimension settings in the Control Panel. These changes won't be reflected in the original on the pasteboard. [EDIT /]
* An alternate to working on the pasteboard, is to work in a new blank document. You create the annotated graphic the same way - place (aka "import") a screenshot and annotate it, group it with its background shape, and use File > Export > InDesign Snippet to save it. Use File > Place to import the saved snippet, drop it on the clipboard, then copy/paste it into the text flow at the insertion point. Snippets aren't like an FM text inset, or an ID linked file. Although you can reimport the same snippet multiple times, if you change the original graphic and export it to the same snippet name, the placed snippets won't change - they're not linked to the saved snippet file.
So, not only have you taught me an important difference between FM and ID that I'll incorporate in my book, you've also found a great opportunity to ask for an enhancement to editing and annotating graphics within anchored frames. Here's the place to do it:
https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=wishform&product=108
Regards,
Peter Gold
KnowHow ProServices