Image editing applications can embed paths and alpha channels in an image. A path is a smooth Bézier shape, whereas an alpha channel is usually a grayscale image. Both paths and alpha channels are typically used to determine which parts of an image should be shown and which parts should be hidden or transparent.

If you import a picture that has an embedded path or alpha channel, you can use that path or alpha channel to control the way text runs around that picture. More specifically: The application can scan a path or channels and create a text runaround path based on the information.

To apply text runaround to a picture box in front of a text box, select the picture box, choose Item > Runaround, and then choose an option from the Type drop-down menu:

• Choose None to run text behind the active picture component.
• Choose Item to run text around the picture component’s boundaries. If the picture component is rectangular, enter values in the Top, Left, Bottom, and Right fields to outset or inset the runaround area. If the picture component is not rectangular, a single Outset field is provided.
• Choose Auto Image to create a Bézier clipping and runaround path based on the picture’s non-white areas.
• Choose Embedded Path to run text around a path embedded in an image by an image-editing application.
• Choose Alpha Channel to run text around an alpha channel embedded in an image by an image-editing application.
• Choose Non-White Areas to create a runaround path based on the picture’s subject. Depending on the value in the Threshold field, the runaround path will outline a dark figure within a larger white or near-white background (or vice versa).
• Choose Same As Clipping to set the text runaround path to the clipping path selected in the Clipping tab.
• Choose Picture Bounds to run text around the rectangular “canvas area” of the imported picture file. This includes any white background areas saved with your original picture file. Enter values in the Top, Left, Bottom, and Right fields to determine the outset or inset of the text from the picture’s boundaries.

Runaround tab of Picture dialog box, showing runaround preview