Adobe InDesign CS5 – Illustrated Unit D: Working with Graphics

Adobe InDesign CS5 – Illustrated

Unit D:Working with Graphics

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to: Understand bitmap and vector graphics Place a graphic into a frame Work with the content indicator Transform frame contents Use the Links panel Replace a linked image and embed a file Add graphics to a library

Understanding Bitmap and Vector Graphics

Bitmap graphic Graphic that is made up of pixels

• Tiny color squares arranged in a grid used to display graphics

• Pixels can be seen when zooming

Examples: • Television screens • Scanned photographs• Photographs taken from a digital camera• Files created in an image-editing software

program


Vector graphic Graphic that is made up of vectors

• Straight or curved line segments connected by anchor points (small dots)

Created in drawing programs Ideal format for illustrations and logos

• Can be resized in page layouts without losing image quality

Can be manipulated in InDesign using the Pen tool and Direct Selection tool


FIGURE D-1: Viewing pixels


FIGURE D-2: Viewing the parts of a vector


FIGURE D-3: Moving an anchor point

Placing a Graphic into a Frame

Graphics are placed into frames Using any of the frame tools:

• Rectangle, Ellipse, and Polygon tool

Placed using the Place command on the File menu• Upper-left corner of the graphic snaps to the

upper-left corner of the frame and fills the remainder of the frame

• If the frame is larger than the graphic, not all of the frame will be filled

• If the graphic is larger than the frame, part of the graphic will not be seen


Figure D-4: Creating the first rectangle frame


Figure D-5: Place dialog box


Figure D-6: Pizza 1 graphic placed in the frame

Working with the Content Indicator

Content indicator Donut-shaped icon Appears over a placed graphic when

Selection tool is moved over the graphic Allows you to move a graphic in a frame

without moving the frame Image can be dragged until it is cropped

to your liking• Cropping: hiding part of the image without

permanently removing it


Figure D-7: Viewing the content indicator


Figure D-8: Adjusting the view inside the frame

Transforming Frame Contents

Control panel Displays options for transforming frame

contents• Examples: scale, rotate, center, or flip

There are also buttons for fitting the image to match the size of the frame and vice versa


Table D-1: Fitting commands


Figure D-9: Viewing the Control panel


Figure D-10: Highlighting the Scale X Percentage value


Figure D-11: The scaled image

Using the Links Panel

When an image is placed in a frame a preview is displayed Graphical representation of the original

image file and not the file itself Link is automatically established between

the preview and actual image file Linking images helps to keep file size

manageable • Size of placed image files is not added to the

InDesign file size


Figure D-12: Viewing the second frame


Figure D-13: Links panel


Figure D-14: Links panel


Table D-2: Link status

Replacing a Linked Image and Embedding a File

To replace a placed image in InDesign: Click the image on the Links panel Click the Relink button on the Links panel Choose a new file in the Relink dialog box New image replaces the original image

• Inherits any fitting commands and transformations that were made to it


Embedding a file: Makes it a permanent part of the file

• No longer linked

Embedded files remain on the Links panel with an Embedded icon

Great way to protect a file from being changed, moved, or deleted


Figure D-15: Relink dialog box Figure D-16: Embedding the logo file

Adding Graphics to a Library

Libraries Strictly for storing often-used text,

graphics, and pages for use in any InDesign document

Store all formatting applied to objects and text

InDesign files (with an .indl extension) that look and work like InDesign panels


Figure D-17: New Library dialog box


Figure D-18: Pizza 1.psd added to the Specials Library


Figure D-19: Finished project

Documents

Adobe InDesign CS5 – Illustrated Unit D: Working with Graphics