How to Resize Image in InDesign Effortlessly

Jason

By Jason

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Resize an image in InDesign

InDesign is a sophisticated desktop publishing software introduced by Adobe. As of today, Adobe InDesign is recognized to be a norm in the field of desktop publishing.

Many individuals across the globe use this application to design posters, magazines, newspapers, flyers, brochures, etc. In addition, it can be used to create presentations, eBooks, books, etc.

With that said, if you are a beginner to this awesome software, you are probably discovering its basic features. We intend to explain one of those basic features of this software; how to resize an image in InDesign.

Why Do You Need to Know How to Resize an Image in InDesign?

Those who are using the recent InDesign versions have been confused about resizing the images. Select the image’s frame if you select an image using the Selection tool (a black arrow).

It doesn’t select the image inside the frame. If you drag a frame handle, you will notice that it will resize the frame. That means it will either add a blank space or crop the image instead of resizing the original image.

Regarding InDesign versions CS3 and CS4, there is a feature to resize images and frames simultaneously.

This is a pretty small change, as you might see. However, this minimal change has made it pretty confusing for many InDesign users. Those who have used InDesign CS2 or older know the resizing process.

With those versions, you can resize the graphics frame with the image by dragging a frame handle. However, to make it happen, you must use the Command key while dragging. From InDesign CS3 and newer versions, this feature was altered.

The difference between the two methods is linked to the process of dragging the frame handle. The older versions (before CS3) allowed you to press the Command key while dragging the handle.

However, in the newer versions, you should press the Command key and hold it before dragging. Otherwise, you won’t be able to resize the frame.

PS: Here is how to insert images in InDesign and the best InDesign alternatives for your reference.

Once again, to make it clear, let’s put it in bulleted form.

  • In older versions than CS3, you can press the Command key when you drag the handle.
  • In newer versions, you should press the Command key before starting to drag the pointer.
Resize an Image in InDesign

If you are a longstanding user and have just changed the versions of InDesign, this might confuse you.

However, if you want to know some other ways to resize an image in InDesign, read this one. The methods we discuss in this article don’t require the assistance of the Command key.

So, for users who have just migrated from an older version to a newer one, there will be less confusion. It applies to those who have migrated from newer versions to older versions (for some reason).

In InDesign versions CS3 and CS4, scaling can be done using the Free Transform tool to transform images. In addition to that, you can use the Scale tool to do the same task.

So, to resize an image with the frame, you should first select any of those tools. You can do it from the middle portion of the Tools panel.

Then, click on the graphic frame (which appears with a black color arrow key), so you can select it. Then start dragging the handle. In this case, both the frame and image will get resized together.

So you don’t need the assistance of the Command key. But, again, you will require the assistance of the shift key to maintain proportions when you scale an image. You can press this Shift key whenever you need to scale it.

Besides, you can find out how to wrap text in InDesign.

How to Resize an Image in InDesign?

Well, let’s look at the process of resizing an image in InDesign.

First of all, you should open the existing InDesign project. Then, it would help if you used the Selection tool (that comes with a black arrow). This is located in the tools panel.

When you click on the frame of the image, you will see the content grabber icon. This is generally located in the center of the image that is selected. This icon has the shape of a ringed circle.

Now, click on the Content Grabber icon. You will now see the frame in brown color. This appears around the image. This frame represents the original size of the image.

You will have to hold the Shift key and then drag it from the image’s corners. Such an approach will help you resize it as required.

How to Resize a Frame in InDesign?

Apart from learning to resize an image, let’s also learn how to resize an image.

First of all, pick the Selection tool located in the Tools panel. Then, you should click on the frame to display so you can see the corner handles. Click on any of these handles and drag so you can scale the image accordingly. To keep the existing proportions of the frame, press and hold the Shift key.

What will happen to the frame if you try to scale the image smaller than the image within? Well, those sections that become smaller than the image will be hidden inside the image. So, it will function pretty much like a cropping tool.

How to Resize an Image in InDesign with the Frame?

You will have to resize an image with its frame in certain cases. This section of the article will explain how to do it.

First, you should click on the frame using the “Selection tool.”

Then, you will have to check the box labeled “Auto-Fit.” This box is located in the Control Panel. Then, you will have to hold the Shift key and drag it. To drag, you should use the corner handles of the frames.

This will make everything (including the frame and image) scaled (larger or smaller) accordingly.

How to Fit Content to a Frame

Read this section if you need to put certain content into a frame (or the other way around).

First, you should click on the frame using the Selection tool.

Then, go to the option called “Object” and select “Fitting.” Then, you will be presented with a couple of fitting options to select from.

Fit Content To Frame

This option lets you adjust the image size. Therefore, it will make the image fit into the existing frame dimensions. In certain cases, however, the content will be stretched to match the frame’s dimensions.

In this case, the proportions of the image will be lost. If the frame proportions are substantially different from the content, there will be an ugly result.

Fit Frame To Content

This option will change the size (dimensions) of the frame to match the content. This is the exact opposite of the previous method if you don’t want to change the dimensions of the content and fit it into the frame using this method.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do I maintain the aspect ratio when resizing an image in InDesign? Hold down the Shift key while dragging the corner of the frame or the image. This will maintain the aspect ratio of the image.
  2. Can I resize multiple images at once in InDesign? Yes, you can. Simply select all the images you wish to resize, and then perform the resizing operation. All selected images will be resized simultaneously.
  3. What if my image becomes pixelated when I resize it? This typically happens when an image is enlarged too much, causing it to exceed its resolution. Always monitor the effective PPI when resizing to avoid pixelation.
  4. Can I undo a resizing operation in InDesign? Yes, you can. Simply use the undo command (Ctrl+Z on Windows or Command+Z on Mac) to undo the resizing operation.
  5. How can I resize an image to exact dimensions in InDesign? Use the Width and Height fields in the Control Panel to specify exact dimensions for your image.
  6. What should I do if I need to resize an image beyond its resolution? If possible, obtain a higher-resolution version of the image. If this isn’t possible, you could try resizing it in small increments, allowing InDesign to interpolate new pixels.

Conclusion

Understanding how to resize an image in InDesign is a crucial skill for any aspiring designer. By mastering the methods outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to manipulate images with precision and maintain high quality. So, go ahead and start practicing – happy designing!

Jason
Jason

Skilled software testing specialist with expertise in comparisons and research, passionate about blogging, reviews, and creating video tutorials.

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