Part V: Graphics Fundamentals

Chapter List

Chapter 22: Preparing Picture Files for Import

Chapter 23: Importing Pictures

Chapter 24: Modifying Imported Pictures

Chapter 25: Special Effects for Pictures

Chapter 26: Drawing Free-Form Shapes and Curved Paths

Chapter 27: Modifying Shapes and Paths

Chapter 28: Treating Text as Artwork

Part Overview

Although text carries the message, it's a picture that gets your attention and that often can say more than any collection of words. That's why working with pictures photos, drawings, and other graphics is so critical in layout. And that's why InDesign works closely with Adobe's image editing and illustration programs, Photoshop and Illustrator. But no matter what programs you use to create your images, you'll find InDesign able to work with all popular formats.

The first step is preparing your pictures for use in InDesign. Chapter 22 explains the do's, don'ts, and gotchas of all the image formats that InDesign can work with, showing you how to optimize the quality of your images and how to prevent font and color flaws when printing.

With your images ready to be used, the next step is actually importing them into InDesign. Chapter 23 explains how to bring pictures into your layout, including how to position them within frames .

Chapter 24 explains in depth how to work with your imported pictures. You'll learn how to change the size , crop, and other attributes of your pictures, as well as how to ensure that your layout uses the latest version of your pictures.

InDesign offers sophisticated controls for using your pictures for fancy layout techniques. For example, you can do curve-hugging text wraps around images and even create outlines from the picture contents that become frames in which to hold text or other elements. Chapter 25 explains these techniques.

But working with pictures involves more than importing them. InDesign also lets you create and edit them. Chapter 26 explains how to use InDesign's built-in drawing tools, while Chapter 27 explains how to edit, modify, and enhance those drawings.

Finally, text itself can be used as artwork, thanks to InDesign's ability to modify text attributes such as strokes and color. Chapter 28 covers a variety of text-as-art techniques.