Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Note
As you work through the lesson, move panels around or change the mag-
nification to a level that works best for you. For more information, see
Adding graphics from other programs
InDesign supports many common graphics file formats. While this means that you can
use graphics that were created using a wide range of applications, InDesign works best
with other Adobe professional graphics applications, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and
Acrobat.
By default, imported graphics are linked to an InDesign document, which means that
InDesign displays a preview of the graphics file in your layout without actually copying
the entire graphics file into the document.
There are two major advantages to linking graphics files. First, it saves disk space, espe-
cially if you reuse the same graphic in many InDesign documents. Second, you can edit
a linked graphic in the application you used to create it, and then simply update the link
in the InDesign Links panel. Updating a linked file that has been modified maintains the
current location and settings for the graphic file and replaces the previous onscreen version
with the updated graphic.
All linked graphics and text files are listed in the Links panel (Window > Links), which
provides buttons and commands for managing links. When you print an InDesign docu-
ment or export a document as an Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file, InDesign
uses the links to produce the highest level of quality available from the original, externally
stored versions of the placed graphics.
Comparing vector and bitmap graphics
The drawing tools of Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator create vector graphics, which
are made up of shapes based on mathematical expressions. Vector graphics consist of
smooth lines that retain their clarity when scaled. They are appropriate for illustrations,
type, and graphics such as logos, all of which are typically scaled to different sizes.
Bitmap images are made up of a grid of pixels and are typically created with digital camer-
as and scanners and then modified using an image-editing application, such as Adobe Pho-
toshop. In working with bitmap images, you edit pixels rather than objects or shapes. Be-
causebitmapgraphicscanrepresentsubtlegradationsofshadeandcolor,theyareappropri-
