REQUEST: Give Zoom Tool InDesign's "boxing" ability

[Ed I. Tor]

It was very frustrating to discover that dragging Publisher's Zoom Tool across the screen enlarges the entire screen's content (and g-r-a-d-u-a-l-l-y, by the way) rather than quickly enlarging particular content, as can be easily done in InDesign by simply drawing a box with the tool over the desired content.

In fact, to greatly enlarge the smallest screen content in Publisher, sometimes a "second drag" is needed because the Zoom cursor runs off the edge of the screen ... or the mouse runs off the edge of the desk! And, if one attempts to zoom in on a tiny-fonted, screen-wide sentence, part of the text often disappears from the screen as one begins to drag with the tool.

Neither of these incidents ever happens in InDesign due to the "boxing" ability of its Zoom Tool -- a feature Publisher users undoubtedly would appreciate.

[walt.farrell]

Welcome to the Serif Affinity forums.

If I understand your request, what you want is already available. Just hold the Alt key (Windows) or probably Option (Mac) before clicking and dragging the Zoom tool.

This use of the modifier key is explained on the Status Bar at the bottom of the screeen while you have the tool selected.

[Jowday]

7 hours ago, Ed I. Tor said:

It was very frustrating to discover that dragging Publisher's Zoom Tool across the screen enlarges the entire screen's content (and g-r-a-d-u-a-l-l-y, by the way) rather than quickly enlarging particular content, as can be easily done in InDesign by simply drawing a box with the tool over the desired content.

In fact, to greatly enlarge the smallest screen content in Publisher, sometimes a "second drag" is needed because the Zoom cursor runs off the edge of the screen ... or the mouse runs off the edge of the desk! And, if one attempts to zoom in on a tiny-fonted, screen-wide sentence, part of the text often disappears from the screen as one begins to drag with the tool.

Neither of these incidents ever happens in InDesign due to the "boxing" ability of its Zoom Tool -- a feature Publisher users undoubtedly would appreciate.

Sounds like 'scrubby zoom' is activated? Try disabling this fellow and then you should be able to draw a zoom area or whatever it is called.

Preferences -> Tools

If you should prefer scrubby zoom over boxed zoom one day you can override it holding down alt, as  @walt.farrell just described.

[Ed I. Tor]

Thank you, Walt and Jowday for your responses.

Walt: As a longtime InDesign user, I will have to continually remind myself about Publisher's "bottom line" tips. However, I still believe the natural "boxing" ability of InDesign's Zoom Tool (not having to hit the Alt or Option keys) makes it the better tool in my view.

Jowday: You actually showed how Publisher can provide the natural "boxing" ability, and for that I am most grateful!

[Jowday]

5 hours ago, Ed I. Tor said:

Jowday: You actually showed how Publisher can provide the natural "boxing" ability, and for that I am most grateful!

My pleasure, @Ed I. Tor

Along the way scrubby zoom became the default setting in Affinity, I think. I remember it as something I enabled (in Designer). I am not sure what people are most used to from other apps these days (user experience designer territory to know!) but I prefer boxing in inDesign/Publisher DTP (most often I know what exact area I want to work in exclusively) but find scrubby zoom quite useful in fx Designer because there I make more... impulsive edits. 

Take care!