Adobe InDesign CS5 : Working with Frames and Shapes - Combining and Converting Frames and Shapes

You can combine two or more frames or shapes in various ways using the Pathfinder panel controls. You can also change the appearance of a selected shape or frame by applying the Convert Shape commands found under the Object menu or by clicking the Convert Shape controls located in the Pathfinder panel (Window, Object & Layout, Pathfinder) (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. This is the rectangle shape  after converting it into a triangle, which was accomplished by clicking the Convert Shape button in the Pathfinder panel. Whenever possible, shapes retain any applied object style attributes after conversion.

To convert a converted frame, shape, or path into a text frame, click inside it with the Type tool. The object retains any applied object style attributes even after adding text (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. A rectangle frame with an object style applied to it and some text inserted.

Text that has been converted to outlines (Type, Create Outlines) can be used as a graphic frame.