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When we run InDesign training courses one of the areas of confusion which we always make sure we clear up for or trainees is the difference between a graphic and its container. Basically, InDesign does not allow you to place a graphic directly on the page; it has to be placed inside a graphic frame. Even if you import the image, although it may look like all you have on the page is an image, in reality, you will always have a graphic frame with an image inside it.

When we run InDesign training courses one of the areas of confusion which we always make sure we clear up for or trainees is the difference between a graphic and its container. Basically, InDesign does not allow you to place a graphic directly on the page; it has to be placed inside a graphic frame. Even if you import the image, although it may look like all you have on the page is an image, in reality, you will always have a graphic frame with an image inside it.

You will become aware of the distinction between container and frame as soon as you attempt to manipulate the image or the frame. Basically, in terms of image manipulation within InDesign, you can do three things: you can manipulate the graphic frame, leaving the image untouched; you can manipulate the graphic frame and the image simultaneously; or, you can manipulate the image independently of the graphic frame.

If you use the selection tool to highlight a graphic, it is primarily the graphic frame that you will be working with. Naturally, if you move the frame, the image will move too, since it is contained inside the frame. However, if you resize the frame, the size of the image inside it will remain unchanged. Effectively, resizing a graphic frame is InDesign's technique for cropping an image.

It is also possible to resize a graphic frame and, simultaneously, the image inside it. To do this, simply hold down Control-Shift as you drag one of the handles towards or away from the centre of the frame.

To manipulate the image independently of its container, click on the Direct Selection tool in the Tools panel and then click on the image. You can now move the image around within its container or you can resize the image while leaving the box the same size. You can even transform the image in other ways, such as rotating or flipping it.