Publisher 2003 - Flipping Autoshapes

[Teejay]

I want to create a publication with a trapezoid autoshape containing text.
However, I need the top smaller than the bottom. I can't adjuct the chape to
achieve this, and flipping the shape also flips the text it contains. How do
I get a flat topped pyramid containing text ??

Thanks

 

[Mary Sauer]

Create the trapezoid and create a separate text box. My autoshape trapezoid doesn't
have a text box associated with it; flipping the object doesn't flip my text. Are
you using WordArt for the text? What steps are you taking?

 

[Teejay]

I don't think adding a separate text box will solve my problem as I want the
text to follow the outline of the trapezoid (I'm doing a catalog merge from
Access for CD labels) and the outline of the trapezoid will not be visible.

Steps so far:

1. Select Autoshapes -> Basic Shapes -> Trapezoid - and draw my Trapezoid.

(No text box associated at this point - 'Text Box' tab in 'Format Autoshape'
not available)

2. Right click Autoshape and 'Add Text'

('Text Box' tab available - set all margins to zero)

Text does not follow outline of autoshape, and there are large margins top
and bottom (even though all text box margins are set to zero). If I flip the
trapezoid to get small side on top - text flips also.

Problems - I need to flip the trapezoid and need text to follow trapezoid
outline with all margins set to zero.

Thanks

 

[Mary Sauer]

The Publisher text doesn't follow a shape. How much text are you using? WordArt will
follow a shape; albeit not well. A draw program?
The WordArt 3.2 may be a solution, the add-in is here:
http://www.publishermvps.com/Default.aspx?tabid=43

 

[Ron Cohen]

This can be done, but instead of using the trapezoid autoshape, you will
need to use the Right Triangle autoshape. Create the text box and position a
right triangle on one side of the text frame. Adjust the triangle so one
side of the trapezoid has the angle you desire. Then copy and paste the
triangle to make an identical one to put on the other side. That triangle
will need to be rotated to be a mirror image of the first one. Once that is
done, the text will be forced outside the boundaries of the triangle
resulting in a trapezoidal shape.

 

[Teejay]

Couldn't get this solution working - but thanks for the idea of using
combined shapes - got me thinking.
Solved my problem by creating a text box, then two empty picture frames
angled so they overlaid the top corners of the text box on either side. Set
the wrap for the picture boxes to tight, and the text wraps neatly up the the
picture boxes - the effect is a trapezoid text box which fits nicely onto the
top half of a CD label, and which I can use to merge text from my CD database.

 

[Mary Sauer]

Very clever... I will remember this workaround. Thanks for sharing.