About paths and frames, Laying out frames and pages – Adobe InDesign CS3 User Manual
Page 82
INDESIGN CS3
User Guide
75
Note: If you merge layers containing a mix of page objects and master items, the master items move to the back of the
resulting merged layer.
1
In the Layers panel, select any combination of layers. Be sure to include the layer you want to target as the merged
layer. If you’re flattening the document, select all layers in the panel.
2
Click any selected layer to make it the target layer, indicated by the pen.
3
Choose Merge Layers in the Layers panel menu.
You can also merge identically named layers for exporting to PDF.
See also
“About masters, stacking order, and layers” on page 62
Laying out frames and pages
About paths and frames
You can draw objects in a document and use them as paths or as frames. Paths are vector graphics like those you
create in a drawing program such as Adobe Illustrator®. Frames are identical to paths, with only one difference—they
can be containers for text or other objects. A frame can also exist as a placeholder—a container without contents. As
containers and placeholders, frames are the basic building blocks for a document’s layout.
Paths and frames
A. Path B. Frame as graphic container C. Frame with placed graphic
You can draw both paths and frames using tools in the Toolbox. You can also create frames by simply placing
(importing) or pasting contents into a path.
Because a frame is just a container version of a path, you can do anything to a frame that you can do to a path, such
as add a color or a gradient to its fill or stroke, or edit the shape of the frame itself with the Pen tool. You can even
use a frame as a path, or vice versa, at any time. This flexibility makes it easy to change your design and provides a
wide range of design choices.
Frames can contain text or graphics. A text frame determines the area to be occupied by text and how text will flow
through the layout. You can recognize text frames by the text ports in their respective upper left and lower right
corners.
A graphics frame can function as a border and background, and can crop or mask a graphic. When acting as an empty
placeholder, a graphics frame displays a crossbar.
A
B
C