"embedding" autoshapes

[Poetdoc]

I use autoshapes a lot to "circle" features in our software that our users
should know about, but my circles tend to move with text even if that's
turned off. I've run across other documents where the circles are "embedded"
into the graphics, but they're not floating the way they would if they'd been
grouped. Anybody know how to do that? I'd be much appreciative.

Jeff Kersh, PhD
American HealthTech, Inc.

 

[Keith Howell]

From your second sentence are you saying you are trying to place a circle
over another graphic (software screenshot maybe). If so, what's wrong with
grouping them once you have created your modified graphic and then specifying
text wrapping to suite your layout (or have I misunderstood the question)

If it helps, download either the How to build an Air Hockey Table document
or the Drawing with Word tutorial from www.drawingwithword.com and pull them
apart. They both have annotated diagrams (not too many circles but the
autoshape in question doesn't matter)

Hope this helps

 

[Poetdoc]

Yes, I'm placing a circle over a software screenshot. Even if I have "Move
With Text" turned off, it still moves when the text moves. What I've seen is
a graphic with a circle that are grouped together without being floating
(which causes its own movement problems), and I'm pretty sure they were
created in Word, I just don't know how. Is there a way to group graphics
then convert them back to non-floating? I'm stumped. Nice site, by the way
- great tutorials. I already know all that stuff, though. It's this weird
thing I'm trying to figure out.

Jeff Kersh, PhD
American HealthTech, Inc.

 

[Ed]

Hi Jeff,

In addition to Keith's suggestions ...

One method that might work for you is to cut the screenshot and circle
composite image to the clipboard and then paste the clipboard contents into
the document as a single picture.

If you want to do that, make sure the screen shot is not formatted as inline
with text, use the selector tool on the Drawing toolbar and select the
screenshot and circle, cut to the clipboard and then click Edit/Paste Special
and select one of the picture formats.

If you do a lot of them you might want to keep an eye on the size of the
document.

Regards.

Ed

 

[Poetdoc]

Thanks, Ed, but the selector tool will only select the graphic if it's
floating. I had selected the two together somehow earlier today, but now I
can't duplicate it. *sigh* Maybe they used some other app...

Jeff Kersh, PhD
American HealthTech, Inc.

 

[Keith Howell]

I wasn't really referring to the content but more the method of construction.
The tutorial has very little what you might call normal typing - it's mainly
using text boxes in a crude page layout way. That way, adding/altering stuff
tends to leave other stuff alone. Each page is really an individual paste up
and I even put a load of Returns in (I've been shot down in flames for that)
to make life a bit easier when working this way.

I hope you get to solve it - good luck

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Jeff -

You can't select both an In Line & Floating graphic at the same time. If you
change the In Line graphic to some form of text wrap - don't try to use the
Select Objects (White Arrow) tool which only works for objects with text
wrapping applied - you can select both.

Once you have the graphic & the shape as floating, position as you wish,
select them both & use the Group command (Drawing Toolbar - Draw button).
Then apply In Line to the grouped object. In Line or not, however, any
objects in a Word doc are anchored to text in some way. If the text re-flows
the graphic will reposition accordingly. "Pages" don't actually exist in a
Word doc, so you can't physically lock anything to one. Pagination is
imposed on the content based on volume, formatting, margins, etc. for the
purpose of printing that content on one or more sheets of paper

But you're right... Dealing with graphics is much more straightforward in a
program designed for the purpose. Page layout (Desktop Publishing) software
such as MS Publisher & InDesign are a far better choice than a word
processing program. Even then it is better to complete your artwork in a
graphics program *before* you even introduce it to the text.

If you continue to use Word in this way you might do well to start doing
your homework here:

http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/DrawingGraphics.htm

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[challa prabhu]

Do the following:

1. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Autoshapes list, point to basic sahpes
and then click Oval shape.
2. Press Shipt and draw a circle in the document.
You wil notice taht the circle is selected on all sides.
3. Right-click the mouse on the circle and click Format Autoshape.
The Format Autoshape dialog appears.
4. Under Fill, click the Color list, and then click Fill Effects.
The Fill Effects dialog box is displayed.
5. Click the Picture Tab.
6. Click the Select Picture button.
The Select Picture dialog box appears. Click to select a picture or Click
the Look in list to select a picture from the folder where you have the saved
the image and then OK
7. Under Line, click the Color list, and then click No line.
8. Click OK in the Format Autoshapes dialog box.
You will see the image in the circle, which will be within the circle and
will not be overlayed as two different object.

Challa Prabhu