Rotating Text

Rotating Text

Using the text rotation option when you want part of the page oriented differently. You can rotate text in any increment, using one of two ways: the Control palette and the Rotating Tool. Regardless of which method you use, you must first select the text block with the pointer tool. Note that you cannot rotate part of a text block. You can, however, rotate a threaded text block. Once text is rotated, PageMaker allows you to edit and format the text directly, using the text tool. You do not have to un-rotate it or edit it in story view.

                The Control Palette’s rotation option is pointed out in figure 1. One way to specify the degree of rotation is to select the text with the pointer tool and type a degree value into the rotation field and press Enter or click the Apply button. A negative value will rotate the block clock-wise, a positive value will rotate it anti clockwise. The number you enter is always measured from the starting position of 0 degrees.

                A second way to specify the rotation angle using the Control Palette is to use the nudge buttons. Each time you click a nudge button, the rotation is increased or decreased by 0.1 degree. The button that points up increases while the button that points down decreases the rotation. To rotate in increments of 1 degree – a Power Nudge- hold down the Ctrl key as you click the nudge button.

                The second way to rotate text is the Rotating Tool which allows you to forget about rotation degrees and lets you physically move the block to the position you want. First, select the text block with the pointer tool. Then select the rotating tool from the toolbox. You will see a new type of pointer, called a starburst. Move this pointer to the location around which you want to rotate the selected text block, usually the centre. Then click and drag the starburst in the direction you want to rotate the text. The text will rotate on your screen as you drag the pointer. As you drag, you will see a rotation lever, which controls the amount of rotation. Dragging the starburst away from the starting point will give you more control over the rotation. With a longer lever, in other words, you will be able to rotate the text in smaller increments. To rotate the text block in 45 degree increments, hold down the Shift key as you drag the starburst pointer.