Unit 2: Planning a Web Project, Part 1
Lesson 2.6: InDesign Basics 2
Leading, Kerning, and Tracking
More Character Palette Controls 
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You have already been introduced to most of the controls on the Character Palette (see Figure 2.6-7). Now it's time to learn about three more ways to format text:
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Figure 2.6-7: Character Palette |
Leading
Leading (pronounced "ledding") is the vertical space between lines of type. The leading control is located in the Character Palette to the right of the Font Size control. InDesign's default leading is a ratio of 1 (font size) to 1.2 (leading). For example, a font size of 12 points has a default leading of 14.4 points, while a font size of 24 points has a default leading of 28.8 points. Figure 2.6-8 shows the default leading for InDesign, using a 12-point font size:
Figure 2.6-8: 12-Point Text with 14.4-Point Leading
InDesign has preset leading options accessed from the drop-down menu; the leading can also be increased or decreased incrementally by clicking on the control's up or down arrows. Figure 2.6-9 shows 12-point text with the leading increased to 24 points. Notice the difference in the vertical space between the two lines of text as compared to the previous figure:
Figure 2.6-9: 12-Point Text with 24-Point Leading
Kerning
Kerning is the process of adding or subtracting space between specific pairs of characters. There are two different types of kerning:
- Metrics kerning utilizes what are called kern pairs. Kern pairs contain information about the spacing of specific pairs of letters (e.g., spacing between W and A or Y and o) and are included with most fonts. InDesign defaults to metrics kerning with certain fonts, which means that certain pairs of letters are automatically kerned when used.
- Optical kerning, on the other hand, is adjustable with the kerning control, i.e., it adjusts the spacing between adjacent characters based on their shapes. Optical kerning can be used when a font lacks built-in kerning or when more than one typeface or font size is used within the same word. The kerning control is located in the Character Palette beneath the Font Size control.
Tracking
Tracking is the process of setting the distance between letters, i.e., "loosening" or "tightening" a block of text. Figure 2.6-10 shows the default tracking setting for InDesign (i.e., tracking is set to zero):
Figure 2.6-10: Default Tracking Setting
The tracking can be set to several pre-set values, including negative values, zero, and positive values. Negative values bring the text letters closer together (tighten), while positive values stretch the text letters further apart (loosen). Figure 2.6-11 shows the tracking set to 50; notice the increased space between letters:
Figure 2.6-11: Tracking Set to 50
Demonstration or Practice Activity
For this activity, continue with the "gridwork.indd" file used in the previous activities:
- Select the "Acoustic Music" and "Electric Music" text frames.
- Make the following selections from the Character Palette:
- Font: Arial Black, Arial Rounded MT Bold, or another bold font
- Font Size: 24 pt
- Tracking: 50
- Select the two text frames filled with placeholder text.
- Make the following selection from the Character Palette:
- Leading: 15 pt (Hint: Use the up arrow rather than the drop-down menu)
- Increase the size of the text boxes as necessary to accommodate any overflow text.
- Don't forget to see how the document looks in Preview Mode (
in the Toolbar).
- Save the edited file as "gridwork.indd" once again.
| It's time! |
Students should complete the following assignments from Student Guide 1:
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IMPORTANT
Students will need the following image file (see Figure 2.6-12) in order to complete Individual Assignment 2.6.1:
Figure 2.6-12: Gage Vintage Guitars logo |
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