Comic Balloon /Callout Ellipse QoL

[tripplejaz]

It would be great if the callout ellipses/comic balloons in Designer could easily be typed in. I would like to just select the text tool, click on the callout balloon and begin typing. Right now when I do that, it uses the shape of the balloons but it removes the fill and stroke which completely negates the point of doing such a thing. Quality of Life improvement would be that text could easily be typed into the shape and adjust scaling appropriately based on balloon size.

[walt.farrell]

Yes, in Designer you need to duplicate the shape and then convert one of them to a Text Frame. Then (probably) Group the two shapes together.

In case you're not aware: Publisher works the way you want, as it includes the Text Frame studio panel which provide the needed controls that Designer doesn't have.  So, if you also own Publisher you can do your work there without that inconvenience.

[carl123]

Another way is just to click and drag (simultaneously) with the Text Frame Tool on the shape which will maintain the stroke & fill on the shape as you are just adding a text frame above it.

You can them still " adjust scaling appropriately based on balloon size" by selecting both objects (or grouping them) and using the extra right-hand bottom handle to scale as required.

 

[tripplejaz]

11 hours ago, carl123 said:

Another way is just to click and drag (simultaneously) with the Text Frame Tool on the shape which will maintain the stroke & fill on the shape as you are just adding a text frame above it.

You can them still " adjust scaling appropriately based on balloon size" by selecting both objects (or grouping them) and using the extra right-hand bottom handle to scale as required.

 

This sounds handy, though it’s unclear to me exactly what handles you are talking about. Could you provide an example photo or gif of how it works?

[tripplejaz]

22 hours ago, walt.farrell said:

Yes, in Designer you need to duplicate the shape and then convert one of them to a Text Frame. Then (probably) Group the two shapes together.

In case you're not aware: Publisher works the way you want, as it includes the Text Frame studio panel which provide the needed controls that Designer doesn't have.  So, if you also own Publisher you can do your work there without that inconvenience.

Awesome! Yes I have Publisher as well but didn’t know it had more powerful text controls because I was using the Designer persona inside Studio Link. 
 

Do you have an example of what you’re referring to, more of a visual learner?

[walt.farrell]

31 minutes ago, tripplejaz said:

Do you have an example of what you’re referring to, more of a visual learner?

No, I don't; sorry. And I might create one, but the forum system isn't cooperating today, and won't let me post screenshots.

Basically, though, just create your callout shape, click on it with the Frame Text Tool. But I'm a bit puzzled by your comment that you're using the Designer Persona in Publisher. For me, the stroke and fill are kept in any of the Personas in Publisher (Publisher, Designer, or Photo). They're only removed in the full Designer or Photo applications.