Using the InDesign Plugin to Create Documents

How to drag and drop images from OpenAsset into InDesign documents and update the image size

CJ Teeter avatar
Written by CJ Teeter
Updated over a week ago

One of the main benefits of using OpenAsset is that it enables you to drag and drop images straight from your browser window into InDesign Creative Cloud documents. Instead of saving files to your PC, images are stored in the cloud and links are maintained by the InDesign Plugin.

Click here for information about installing the InDesign Plugin.

Dragging Individual Files

Watch this video to learn how to drag & drop individual files.

To drag an individual file from the Overview screen, click and drag from the 'Drag & Drop' icon at the top-right of the image thumbnail.

You can also drag and drop from the File Page. To do this, click and drag from the icon on the top right of the page.

Dragging Multiple Files

Watch this video to learn how to drag & drop multiple files

As well as dragging individual files to InDesign you are able to select several files that you would like to use, then transfer your entire Selection to InDesign by dragging the 'Drag and Drop' button in the action bar.

When dragging, you might find it easier to reduce the width of the browser window. If you do this, the action bar will no longer be visible but the 'Drag and Drop' button turns into an orange circle.

When you have dragged multiple images to InDesign, the images will be loaded onto your cursor in the same order that they are in your Selection. From there you can place them into your document.

Before you place an image you are then able to rotate through the images on your cursor using the arrow keys on your keyboard.

To learn more about arranging your workspace for easier Drag and Drop, read this article.

Placing Files into InDesign Documents

Once you have selected your images, they will be loaded from OpenAsset onto your mouse in InDesign and you can click on any image frame or on the document itself to place them.

Replacing an Image in an InDesign Document

To replace an existing file in an InDesign document, drag and drop the file from OpenAsset as you would normally do, but when placing the image in InDesign, hold the alt-key ('Option' for Mac users) when you click to place.

Updating the Image Resolution

Default Image Resolution

System Administrators can select the 'Default Dropped Image Size' as well as the 'Default High Res Image Size'. To configure these settings, navigate to 'System' > 'System Preferences' within the Settings menu.

You can then select default options for users from the following drop-down menus. Select 'Save Changes' when you have finished.

Document Image Resolution

You can change the size of images in your document within the InDesign Plugin window. Select an option from the 'Image Size' drop-down menu.

Packaging Your InDesign File

OpenAsset images are initially loaded into InDesign at a lower-resolution working size. This means that you can quickly work with your images even on a slow or unreliable internet connection.

When you wish to package a document up for printing, the Plugin will prompt you to ask if you would like to switch all the images in the document for their high resolution version. 

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