Adobe InDesign CC 2015 - Manual (Page 183)

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Layout and design
Last updated 6/6/2015
• Use the Pen tool to draw a path in the shape you want, and then use the Paste Into command to paste the graphic
into the path.
When you use one of InDesign’s automatic methods to generate a clipping path, the clipping path is attached to the
image, resulting in an image that is clipped by the path and cropped by the frame.
Note: The graphics frame displays the color of the layer it appears on, and the clipping path is drawn in the inverse color of
the layer. For example, if the layer color is blue, the graphics frame will appear as blue, and the clipping path will appear
as orange.
Crop using a graphic’s path or alpha channel
InDesign can crop an imported EPS, TIFF, or Photoshop graphic using the clipping path or alpha channel saved with
the file. When an imported graphic includes more than one path or alpha channel, you can choose which path or alpha
channel to use for the clipping path.
An alpha channel is an invisible channel that defines transparent areas of a graphic. It’s stored inside a graphic with the
RGB or CMYK channels. Alpha channels are commonly used in video-effects applications. InDesign automatically
recognizes Photoshop’s default transparency (the checkerboard background) as an alpha channel. If the graphic has an
opaque background, you must use Photoshop to remove the background, or create and save one or more alpha channels
with the graphic. You can create alpha channels using background-removal features in Adobe Photoshop, such as layer
masks, the Channels panel, the Background Eraser, or the Magic Eraser.
A Original graphic B Alpha channel C Placed graphic D Original graphic E Graphic with embedded path F Placed graphic
When you place a Photoshop file, the Image Import Options dialog box lets you choose to use the default clipping path
or select an alpha channel for clipping.
1 Select an imported graphic, and choose Object > Clipping Path.
2 In the Clipping Path dialog box, choose either Photoshop Path or Alpha Channel from the Type menu.
3 Choose the desired path or alpha channel from either the Path or Alpha menu.
Note: If the Alpha Channel menu command is not available, no alpha channels were saved with the graphic.
4 To inset the clipping path, specify a value for Inset Frame.
5 To switch the visible and hidden areas, select Invert.
6 If you chose an alpha channel, specify any other desired clipping path options, and click OK.
To turn off the clipping path, select the imported graphic, and choose Object > Clipping Path. Choose None in the Type
menu, and click OK.