Hello Experts!

I'm new to the forum and to this VERSION of CD but not to graphic arts...

I'm translating some certificates directly on copies of same and want to cover over the existing text so that I can enter (actually, PASTE) the translated text (with custom formatting - color, size, font, etc...).

Right now I have to draw a rectangle (with custom-default characteristics) and then ALSO a paragraph text frame!!!

Each certificate could have as many as 100 locations for translated text!!! AAAAAGGGHHHH!

Is there not a way to simplify this?

Best would be: A text box (frame) with a background fill (color)?

Settle for: a macro that would create both items, one on top of the other, but leave them so that I can resize as needed for the lenghth of text and re-position where needed?

Is this a "feature" missing in the newest versions?

Please help!

THANKS SO MUCH!

 Hey FosterCobrun

Thanks for the reply...

I hadn't thought of that as I don't use the merge function so often but let me see if I understand what you're proposing:

Create a template with (merge) fields where the text eventually needs to go. The fields could have fill (background) characteristics? The text (when merged) could have fill and outline characteristics?

I'd have to "number" the fields on the template to correspond to the text from the merge file somehow?

Hmmm...interesting possiblity but not sure it would take any LESS time or trouble as each certificate is different and the "fill" fields are in diverse locations!

I'll try a "sample" when I get some time.

THANKS!!!

By the way, from your suggestion am I to glean that one CANNOT create a text frame with background fill properties?

jebep

 Hello Experts!

I'm new to the forum and to this VERSION of CD but not to graphic arts...

I'm translating some certificates directly on copies of same and want to cover over the existing text so that I can enter (actually, PASTE) the translated text (with custom formatting - color, size, font, etc...).

Right now I have to draw a rectangle (with custom-default characteristics) and then ALSO a paragraph text frame!!!

Each certificate could have as many as 100 locations for translated text!!! AAAAAGGGHHHH!

Is there not a way to simplify this?

Best would be: A text box (frame) with a background fill (color)?

Settle for: a macro that would create both items, one on top of the other, but leave them so that I can resize as needed for the lenghth of text and re-position where needed?

Is this a "feature" missing in the newest versions?

Please help!

THANKS SO MUCH!

 

 

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http://coreldraw.com/forums/p/6968/25905.aspx#25905

What you can do is put all the text in the document (paragraph format), then select each text element in turn and <shift> and double click on the rectangle tool to create a rectangle that shape. For simplicity I would create a new layer (below the text) and make sure this is the 'active layer' when creating the rectangles.

I suppose you could generate a macro that would loop through all the text and do this.

Then I would use Foster's idea of inputting the data from a source file.

 Gadget!

This definitely helps.

At least I don't have to manually draw and size each rectangle. I still have to do each filled-rectangle-behind-text one at a time because I have to leave the rest of the original certificate visible, but least that is much easier and the box is exactly the size of the text fram which I've already sized appropriately.

I'll try the automating, too, for the future.

For now, this seems a pretty good solution!

THANKS!!!

You could also create a 1 cell table and place your text inside. Apply the background fill to the table and remove the borders... Now you have your text with background....

I simply draw a rectangle over the text frame, fill with colour and send it to behind the text. Then group the text frame and rectangle.

You can type or paste text straight into the combination and when finished, reselect the group (with the pick tool) and resize as needed. Both the coloured background and the text frame move as one.

But, If you later need to change the background colour then you need to ungroup first.

HI T.,

Yep, simply create the colored box first, then enter text in the box as an integrated text frame.

see attached. Resize the colored box, the text follows.

T. Miller:

I don't think you can add a background to a text box as the fill/outline properties affect the font itself, but I could be wrong.

Hello Jeff

Original poster here...

I see the RESULT and it's GREAT but...how to do it, step by step, would be nice!

I can create the box, no problem...

I can create the integrated text frame, though it takes some precision "clicking" the way I'm doing it...

BUT, If I fill the box then I can't seem to get the text to be "on top"...

Any explanation of what's happening?

THANK YOU for this solution!

jebep

P.S. In fact, if I CHANGE the fill color in your example I LOSE the text!? No amount of re-ordering seems to bring it to the front? Could you explain what I'm doing wrong? THANKS!

make a box

move text cursor to inside edge of box, you will see an AB inside a little box

type in box (or any closed path)

when changing or adding color to the box, click the outside edge of box only (you've been appling color to text AND box at same time).

jebep:

I see the RESULT and it's GREAT but...how to do it, step by step, would be nice!

 

P.S. In fact, if I CHANGE the fill color in your example I LOSE the text!? No amount of re-ordering seems to bring it to the front? Could you explain what I'm doing wrong? THANKS!