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Automate complex edits by extending images beyond borders

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InDesign

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  1. InDesign User Guide
  2. Get to know InDesign
    1. Introduction to InDesign
      1. What's New in InDesign
      2. System requirements
      3. Common questions
      4. Use Creative Cloud libraries
    2. Workspace
      1. Workspace basics
      2. Contextual task bar
      3. Customize your workspace in InDesign
      4. Toolbox
      5. Set preferences
      6. Properties panel
      7. Touch workspace
      8. Default keyboard shortcuts
      9. Undo edits and manage History panel
      10. Document recovery and undo
    3. Generative AI (Not available in mainland China)
      1. Text to Image
      2. Generative Expand
      3. Generate Effect in InDesign (Beta)
      4. Generative AI FAQ
  3. Create and layout documents
    1. Documents and pages
      1. Create documents
      2. Work with parent pages
      3. Work with document pages
      4. Set page size, margins, and bleed
      5. Work with files and templates
      6. Convert PDFs to InDesign files in InDesign (Beta)
      7. Create book files
      8. Add basic page numbering
      9. Number pages, chapters, and sections
      10. Convert QuarkXPress and PageMaker documents
      11. Share content
      12. Understand a basic managed-file workflow
      13. Save documents
    2. Grids
      1. Grids
      2. Format grids
    3. Layout aids
      1. Rulers
      2. Align and distribute objects using rulers
      3. Measure objects using the Measure tool
  4. Add content
    1. Text
      1. Add text to frames
      2. Threading text
      3. South-East Asian Scripts
      4. Arabic and Hebrew features in InDesign
      5. Create type on a path
      6. Bullets and numbering
      7. Insert MathML to create math expressions
      8. Glyphs and special characters
      9. Text composition
      10. Text variables
      11. Generate QR codes
      12. Edit text
      13. Align text
      14. Wrap text around objects
      15. Anchored objects
      16. Linked content
      17. Format paragraphs
      18. Format characters
    2. Typography
      1. Using fonts in InDesign
      2. Kerning and tracking
      3. Scale and skew type
      4. Apply color effects to type
    3. Format text
      1. Format text
      2. Auto Style text
      3. Work with Style Packs
      4. Tabs and indents
    4. Review text
      1. Track and review changes
      2. Add editorial notes in InDesign
      3. Import PDF comments
    5. Spell check and language dictionaries
      1. Check spelling, autocorrect, and dynamic spelling
      2. Create, add, and manage dictionaries and words
      3. Change dictionary preferences
      4. Duden dictionary
    6. Add references
      1. Create a table of contents
      2. Footnotes
      3. Create an index
      4. Endnotes
      5. Captions
    7. Styles
      1. Paragraph and character styles
      2. Map, export, and manage styles
      3. Object styles
      4. Drop caps and nested styles
      5. Work with styles
      6. Leading
    8. Tables
      1. Format tables
      2. Create tables
      3. Table and Cell styles
      4. Select and edit tables
      5. Table strokes and fills
    9. Interactivity
      1. Hyperlinks
      2. Dynamic PDF documents
      3. Bookmarks
      4. Buttons
      5. Forms
      6. Animation
      7. Cross-references
      8. Structure PDFs
      9. Page transitions
      10. Movies and sounds
    10. Graphics
      1. Understand paths and shapes
      2. Draw with the Pencil tool
      3. Draw with the Pen tool
      4. Apply line (stroke) settings 
      5. Compound paths and shapes
      6. Edit paths
      7. Clipping paths
      8. Change corner appearance
      9. Frames and objects
      10. Align and distribute objects
      11. Linked and embedded graphics
      12. Integrate AEM assets
    11. Color and transparency
      1. Apply color
      2. Use colors from imported graphics
      3. Work with swatches
      4. Mix inks
      5. Tints
      6. Understand spot and process colors
      7. Blend colors
      8. Gradients
      9. Flatten transparent artwork
      10. Add transparency effects
  5. Find and replace
    1. Find and replace text
    2. Find and replace fonts
    3. Find and replace glyphs
    4. Find and replace using GREP expressions and queries
    5. Find and replace objects
    6. Find and replace colors
    7. Search options to find and replace
  6. Share
    1. Save and access cloud documents
    2. Organize, manage, and share cloud documents
    3. View and manage versions in cloud documents
    4. Common questions about InDesign cloud documents
    5. InCopy on the web (Beta)
    6. Share and collaborate        
    7. Share for Review
    8. Review a shared InDesign document
    9. Manage feedback
    10. Invite to edit
  7. Export, import, and publish
    1. Place, export, and publish
      1. Publish online
      2. Publish online dashboard
      3. Copy, insert graphics
      4. Export to Adobe Express
      5. Export content for EPUB
      6. Adobe PDF options
      7. Export to HTML5
      8. Export content to HTML (Legacy)
      9. Export to Adobe PDF
      10. Export to JPEG or PNG format
      11. Import SVG files
      12. Supported File Formats
      13. Export and import User Settings
    2. Printing
      1. Print booklets
      2. Printer's marks and bleeds
      3. Print documents
      4. Inks, separation, and screen frequency
      5. Overprinting
      6. Create PostScript and EPS files
      7. Preflight files before handoff
      8. Print thumbnails and oversized documents
      9. Prepare PDFs for service providers
      10. Prepare to print separations
  8. Extend InDesign
    1. Automation
      1. Data merge
      2. Plug-ins
      3. Capture extension in InDesign
      4. Scripting
  9. Troubleshooting
    1. Fixed issues
    2. Known issues
    3. Crash on launch
    4. Preference folder read-only issue
    5. Troubleshoot file issues
    6. Unable to export InDesign file to PDF
    7. InDesign document recovery

Generative Expand fills the empty frame around your image with content that naturally blends with the original.

Adobe InDesign deeplink

Try it in the app
Work with a sample file and learn how to use Generative Expand.

Open InDesign
Note:
  • Before you proceed, ensure you're connected to the internet, as Generative Expand requires cloud processing.
  • Generative Expand is not available in mainland China.

  1. Place an image in your InDesign document and drag the image frame to expand the image size.

    You can also select any image with empty space in the frame.

  2. Select Generative Expand from the Contextual Task Bar. You can also use the Text to Image   panel drop-down to switch to Generative Expand  .

  3. Select Generate   to fill the empty frame with relevant elements from the existing image.

    Additionally, in the prompt field, type a description of the output you're looking for and then select Generate  .

  4. Select the left or right arrows to view and select different variations of your prompt.

    Select Window > Text to Image to view all the past variations. Once variations are generated, the Contextual Task Bar and panel will change to Text to Image as the text frame has no empty space.

    Tip:

    All variations are downloaded to your computer in the following location:

    • Windows: C:\Users\<username>\Documents\InDesign GenAI Assets
    • macOS: /Users/username/Documents/InDesign GenAI Assets

  5. Select the ellipsis   icon to Show Text to Image Panel   , View GenAI Guidelines   , Hide Context Bar   , Pin Context Bar  .

    Note:

    Once you select Hide Context Bar   , the Contextual Task Bar will not open by default. Select Window > Contextual Task Bar to see it on the workspace.

Caution:

Generative Expand doesn’t function correctly on rotated images.

Frequently asked questions

How is Generative Expand different from other tools in InDesign?

Generative Expand is a generative AI-powered capability powered by Adobe Firefly. Unlike other InDesign capabilities, this enables you to expand an existing image to fill the intended frame and aspect ratio, all from within the InDesign app. The original image is now replaced with the generated variation.

What are examples of ways I can use Generative Expand?

  • Generative Expand is an AI-powered capability that extends existing images to fit the referenced frame in the layout. 
  • Users can create a specific background for their reference image using a text prompt.
  • Generative Expand lets you extend the image to a different aspect ratio, filling the space in seconds.
  • Generative Expand will present you with three different choices, allowing you to explore various creative concepts.

Do users need to be experienced with InDesign to use Generative Expand?

Generative Expand is available to InDesign users of all levels. You can explore this feature from the Contextual Task Bar or from the Text to Image panel.

Is the extended image editable?

You can edit the generated images. Right-click the selected variation, go to Edit With, and then select any application.

What is the maximum resolution of the output created using generative AI features in InDesign?

The Firefly model currently returns an output of 2K resolution for generated images (up to 4K for expands) to InDesign.

What are some key tips & tricks needed to get the most out of Generative Expand in the InDesign app?

  • Determine the intended frame size. Position your image within the frame, considering where it will be expanded. For example, if you position the image to the far left of your frame, it will be extended to the right boundary. Generative Expand will fill any white space.
  • Use the text prompt to expand the image with specific elements.
  • Stick with simple and direct language with your text prompt, approximately 3-8 words that include a description, color, or scene. Don’t worry about adding commands like add or remove. Instead, use simple phrases like bright tropical flowers, sunrise behind mountains, a man with headphones, or an ice cream parlor. Learn more about writing effective prompts.
  • The original image will be replaced with the generated image in the document. If required, please save a copy of the original image before expanding it using Generative Expand.

Can I use the images generated with Generative Expand for commercial purposes?

In general, you may use outputs from generative AI features commercially. However, if Adobe designates in the product or elsewhere that a beta version of a generative AI feature cannot be used commercially, then the generated outputs from that beta feature are for personal use only and cannot be used commercially.

You can get more information about the usage guidelines in the Adobe Generative AI User Guidelines page.

Should I add Content Credentials for images generated using Generative Expand?

Adobe may attach or publish Content Credentials for content created with generative AI features to let people know it was generated with AI.  Learn more about Content Credentials.

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