InDesign

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Control layer visibility in imported images

When you import Photoshop PSD files, layered PDFs, and INDD files, you can control the visibility of top-level layers. Adjusting layer visibility in InDesign lets you vary an illustration depending on context. For example, in a multilanguage publication, you can create a single illustration that includes one text layer for each language.

You can adjust layer visibility either when you place a file or by using the Object Layer Options dialog box. In addition, if the Photoshop file contains layer comps, you can display the desired comp.

Set layer visibility

  1. Do one of the following:

    • To import a graphic without first creating a frame, make sure that nothing in the document is selected.

    • To import a graphic into an existing frame, select the frame.

    • To replace an existing image, select the graphics frame.

  2. Choose File > Place and select a graphics file.
    To view Version Cue options, click Use Adobe Dialog.
  3. To replace a selected object, select Replace Selected Item.
  4. Select Show Import Options, and then click Open.
  5. In the Image Import Options or Place dialog box, click the Layers tab.
  6. To view a preview of the image, click Show Preview.
  7. (PDFs only) If you’re placing a page from a multipage PDF, click the arrows, or type a page number under the preview image to preview a specific page.
  8. (Photoshop PSD files only) If the image contains layer comps, choose the layer comp you want to display from the Layer Comp pop‑up menu.
  9. Do one of the following:

    • To open or close a layer set, click the triangle to the left of the folder icon.

    • To hide a layer or layer set, click the eye icon next to the layer or layer set.

    • To display the layer or layer set, click the empty eye column next to the layer or layer set.

    • To display only the content of a particular layer or layer set, Alt‑click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) its eye icon. Alt‑click or Option-click the eye icon again to restore the original visibility settings of the other layers.

    • To change the visibility of multiple items, drag through the eye column.

  10. Set the When Updating Link option as desired:
    Use Photoshop’s/PDF’s Layer Visibility
    Matches the layer visibility settings to those of the linked file when you update the link.

    Keep Layer Visibility Overrides
    Maintains the layer visibility settings as specified in the InDesign Document.

  11. Click OK, and do one of the following:

    • To import into a new frame, click the loaded graphics icon  in the layout at the place where you want the upper left corner of the graphic to appear.

    • To import into an existing, unselected frame, click the loaded graphics icon anywhere in that frame.

    • To import into an existing selected frame, you don’t need to do anything. The image automatically appears in that frame.

      If you accidently replace an existing graphic with an image you’re placing, press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac OS) to return the original image to the frame and display the loaded graphics icon.

Set layer visibility for placed AI, PSD, PDF, and INDD files

After you place a Photoshop PSD or layered PDF, an Illustrator AI file, or an InDesign INDD file, you can control the visibility of its layers by using the Object Layer Options dialog box. If the Photoshop PSD file contains layer comps, you can choose which comp you want to display. In addition, you can choose whether to maintain the visibility settings or match the settings of the original file each time you update the link.

  1. Select the file in the InDesigndocument.
  2. Choose Object > Object Layer Options.
  3. To view a preview of the image, select Preview.
  4. (Photoshop PSD files only) If the image contains layer comps, choose the layer comp you want to display from the Layer Comp pop‑up menu.
  5. Do one of the following:

    • To open or close a layer set, click the triangle to the left of the folder icon.

    • To hide a layer or layer set, click the eye icon next to the layer or layer set.

    • To display the layer or layer set, click the empty eye column next to the layer or layer set.

    • To display only the content of a particular layer or layer set, Alt‑click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) its eye icon. Alt‑click or Option-click the eye icon again to restore the original visibility settings of the other layers.

    • To change the visibility of multiple items, drag through the eye column.

  6. Set the Updating Link Options as desired:
    Use Layer Visibility
    Matches the layer visibility settings to those of the linked file when you update the link.

    Keep Layer Visibility Overrides
    Maintains the layer visibility settings as specified in the InDesign Document.

  7. Click OK.