Placing files on a layout using Assets for InDesign

When working with Assets for InDesign, files that are stored in Assets Server are placed on the layout on a regular basis.

How this is done is described in this article.

Placing a file

Accessing the files in Assets Server is done by using Assets. This application runs in a Web browser so you would have that open together with InDesign.

Step 1. (Optional) In InDesign, first select the frame into which you want to place the file.

Step 2. In Assets, search for the files that you want to add.

Step 3. Select the files and drag them into InDesign.

If you had selected a frame first, drag it over that frame.

Figure: Dragging images from Assets into InDesign.

When a frame was selected, the file is automatically placed.

When no frame was selected, the InDesign Place Gun appears with the selected files loaded. (If it does not appear, click somewhere on the layout.) Use it to place the files.

Tip: Show the InDesign import options to control how or which parts of the file should be placed by pressing and holding Shift while placing the file.

Placed files are downloaded from Assets Server and saved to your system in the following folder:

~/Documents/Elvis Checkouts/<username>

The file remains checked-in in Assets Server (other users can edit the file).

When the layout is closed, the file is removed from the folder on your system (unless the File Cache option is enabled).

Replacing multiple occurrences of a placed file with another file

Info: This feature requires Assets for InDesign 4.1.0 or higher.

Tip: How to check the version of Assets for InDesign that is installed.

When a file is placed on a layout, there may come a time when it needs to be replaced by another file. This can simply be done by dropping another file onto it and/or using the place gun.

When this is done for a file that is placed multiple times on the layout, Assets for InDesign will detect this and will offer you the option to update all occurrences of that file with the new file.