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Creating base layouts for the AI Layout Automation feature in Studio

Updated

The content that the AI Layout Automation feature needs is derived from layouts referred to as 'base layouts'. The following base layouts are defined:

  • A base layout. This general layout is used for the following:
  1. As a foundation for all templates for all layouts used in production. It includes all components needed for the Layout Automation feature.
  2. As the layout from which to generate Article Shapes.
  • A base layout template. A layout template created from a base layout. When a new production layout is created on which articles are placed using the Layout Automation feature, it should be based on a template that is created from such a layout.
  • A structure base layout. This layout contains dividers between articles. It is created from a base layout in which these dividers are added. A separate layout is created for each divider variation used for a blueprint.

This article explains in detail how each type of base layout should be created.

Base layouts

A base layout is a general layout used for the following:

  1. As a foundation for all templates for all layouts used in production. It includes all components needed for the Layout Automation feature.
  2. As the layout from which to generate Article Shapes.

Create a layout that has the following characteristics and components:

Notes:

  • Because the base layout is used to standardize the page settings and styles of the brand, it is recommended to have only one base layout per brand. Different article shapes can be constructed in the base layout for a specific category. This approach will ease maintaining the base layout.
  • To indicate that the layout is a base layout, use a naming convention such as: 'Base_[Brand]_[Category].indd'.
Object Remarks
Page settings

Standardize the following:

  • Page size
  • Margin
  • Baseline
  • Column and row values
  • Column gutter
Styles

(Optional but recommended to ensure consistent styling when content is placed)

Create the following styles:

  • Paragraph styles
  • Character styles
  • Object styles (with a paragraph style activated)
Dividers

(Optional, include only if your blueprint requires fixed elements outside of article content.)

Create dividers between placed articles.

It is recommended to place these on a dedicated layer for each variation. Dedicated layouts will be generated based on these variations.

Example: A blueprint for placing two third stories, a secondary story, and an advertisement. Dividing lines between the articles are shown in red.

Examples of different blueprints
Article Shape frames

Create frames for Article Shapes.

Take note of the following:

  • A shape will always be a square or a rectangle (either vertical or horizontal). Other shapes such as L-shapes are not supported.
  • Many shapes will need to be created, so it will take many pages to place them on.
  • Use clear and consistent Element label names such as head, intro, body, caption, quote.

Note: Multiple frames using the same label within the same story are not supported.

  • Apply Object styles with paragraph styles activated to all text frames to ensure consistent styling when content is placed.
  • Frames should align with the blueprint grid column and row.

Note: All frames must be within the layout page. Frames on the pasteboard are not supported and are ignored.
Stories

All article frames belonging to the same story must be turned into a separate InDesign Article. This is done by tagging them. The name of InDesign Article should include the story type (lead, secondary, and so on). This is taken care of by the script that is used for tagging the frame.

For details, see 'Tagging article shapes' in Setting up and configuring the AI Layout Automation feature in Studio.
Genres

(Optional) When genres are used, the name of InDesign Article should also include the genre name.

For details, see 'Tagging article shapes' in Setting up and configuring the AI Layout Automation feature in Studio.

Base layout templates

When a new production layout is created on which articles are placed using the Layout Automation feature, it should be based on a template that is created from a base layout so that layouts are created that are consistently the same and contain all the basic characteristics and components for use in the Layout Automation feature.

Using a base layout, turn it into a layout template. Take note of the following:

  • Strip out any components from the template that do not apply to how the template is going to be used, such as pages and layers. The end result should be a layout with the required empty pages, but with the created styles.
  • The blueprint area should be empty; it should not have any placed frames. Placing frames is taken care of by the Layout Automation feature.
  • Fixed elements such as logos, folios, and recurring graphics can be included. These are not touched by the Layout Automation feature.
  • To indicate that the layout is a base layout template, use a naming convention such as: 'Base_template_[Brand]_[TemplateName]' where [Brand] is the Brand name and [TemplateName] is the name of the layout template.

Example: 'Base_template_BrandA_ProductPage'.

Structure base layouts

Any additional objects on the page such as dividing lines between the articles will have been added in the base layout (see 'dividers' in section Base layouts).

For each divider line variation used for a blueprint, create a separate layout by duplicating the base layout and stripping out all components except the page containing the dividing lines for the blueprint.

To indicate that the layout is a structure layout, use a naming convention such as: 'Structure_[Brand]_[Category]_[BlueprintName].indd'.

Revisions

  • 17 December 2025: Updated section 'Base layout templates' by correcting the naming convention to use.

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