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Insight Horizon Media

How do you separate paths in InDesign?

Author

Daniel Rodriguez

Published Mar 03, 2026

How do you separate paths in InDesign?

To split paths:

  1. Select the path.
  2. Click the Scissors tool in the Tools panel . The Scissors tool in the Tools panel allows you to snip paths in two.
  3. Position the cursor where you want to split the path.
  4. Click to split the path at that point. The Scissors tool creates two points, one on top of the other.

How do you get rid of a compound path?

To release a compound path you select the object and choose Object > Compound Path > Release from the menu. That will result in a path for each area of the compound path. The ONLY way to release a compound path and get one path is if you started with one path before making the compound path.

What is a compound path in InDesign?

Compound paths can be used to InDesign to create effects that formerly only graphic programs could do. A compound path is created from two or more closed paths and is used to add transparent holes to shapes or letters, when text is converted to outlines or when a gradient or image is added to multiple paths.

How do you merge paths in InDesign?

In InDesign, you can also use the Pathfinder panel to join paths. To close the path of an open path, use the Selection tool to select the path and click Close Path in the Pathfinder panel. To close the end points between two paths, select the paths and click Join Path.

How do you remove an anchor in InDesign?

If you no longer want an object to move relative to its associated text, you can release it to remove its anchor. Select the anchored object with a selection tool, and choose Object > Anchored Object > Release.

How do you remove an anchor point in InDesign?

Add or delete anchor points

  1. Select the path you want to modify.
  2. Select the Pen tool, the Add Anchor Point tool, or the Delete Anchor Point tool.
  3. To add an anchor point, position the pointer over a path segment and click. To delete an anchor point, position the pointer over an anchor point and click.

How do you separate a compound path?

Separate Compound Path – divides the shapes that make up an existing compound path into separate editable shapes. Alternatively, you can choose Modify > Separate Compound Path [⇧ – ⌘ – K] in the menu bar.

How do you change a compound path?

Release or edit a compound path:

  1. Select Object > Compound Path > Release.
  2. Or edit by isolating the compound path: double click it or find it on the Layers Panel.

How do you ungroup a compound path in InDesign?

You can break up a compound path by releasing it, which turns each of its subpaths into an independent path.

  1. Using the Selection tool , select a compound path.
  2. Choose Object > Paths > Release Compound Path.

How do you ungroup outlined text in InDesign?

Select the outline group and choose Object>Ungroup.

How do you remove anchors in InDesign?

How do you Unanchor in InDesign?

To unanchor an object that you anchored, select it with the Selection tool, choose Edit > Cut, and deselect the containing text frame. Then, choose Edit > Paste to place the unanchored object on the page.