You are going to use the pathfinder tools in InDesign to create a vector logo possibility for a future project. I want you to perform this exercise individually to ensure that you have experience using InDesign's vector tools, so don't worry about conferring with your group (if you even have a group, you might not have one...).
First, you'll need to make sure you can see the pathfinder panel. If you don't see it in your workspace, go to Window > Object & Layout > Pathfinder:
There are actually a few different ways you can complete this assignment. You could use the type tool to write either a letter, or a word, and convert that type to a path by selecting the text frame and going to: Type > Create Outlines.
You could also use the Pen tool to draw your own shape(s).
Or, you could use the simple Rectangle/Ellipse/Polygon tool.
Any way you choose to do it, the method is to create two shapes, select them both, then simply click on one of the pathfinder tools.
In the image below, I've only drawn two very simple shapes overlapping each other (a circle and a rectangle), and then used four pathfinder tools on them, so you can see the difference between the tools:
Once you perform one pathfinder operation, you can copy and paste, rotate, scale, skew or any other operation in order to create something new (which can be used as a logo). The point here is not to come up with the best logo in the world. What I want for you to do is use the vector drawing tools combined with the pathfinder and transform tools.
Here is one very quick example of something you can do:
At the bottom of the above image, you can see the variety of ideas generated from very simple shapes (a circle and a rectangle). If you want to keep going, you can even take one of the many logos you could create, and change colors, strokes, and even add a background:
The above images are probably more than I am asking you to do.
I began by drawing a circle and a rectangle. I then used the "Add" pathfinder tool to add the shapes together. Next, I duplicated the resulting shape, and positioned the shapes so that they were overlapping. I then used the subtract tool, which resulted in a sickle-like object. I copied and rotated the sickle in a circle, and gave each shape it's own unique color.
Lastly, to save your InDesign as a .png, you just need to SELECT YOUR LOGO, and click on File > Export, then change the file-type to".png". (.pngs save transparency layers while .jpgs to NOT save transparencies; and PDFs do not show up in Blogger!)
A pop-up window will allow you to choose "selected" as well as "transparent background".
Now, go find the assignment on our blackboard page
