In my last tutorial, I discussed “Creating a Window Through Your Brochure Cover.” The Steps involved in creating the die cut look of the layout, resulted in some interesting feedback from readers. One particular reader’s comments stood out. Gary Spedding asked the following question – “Is there a way to create a transparent look within InDesign using an image in the background with panels floating above it which contain the same image perfectly lined up with the original image beneath?” I always say that I learn as much about various applications from other users questions as I do from actually using the programs myself on a daily basis. This question not only made me think, the answer lead to the following tutorial.

In this tutorial, I will discuss setting up a document, using Margins, Columns and Ruler Guides, the Paste Into command, Compound Paths, Ghosting an image and Drop Shadows.

Step 1: Setting Up Simplicity.

Set up a new 8.5" X 11" document (File > New) with four columns but no text frame. Make the Gutters .1875" and the Margins .375" on the top, left and right, and 3" on the bottom and click OK. Drag Ruler Guides to .75” and 7.75” on the X axis, and .75” and 7.625” on the Y Axis. The Mar-gins, Column Guides and Ruler Guides will make it simple to line everything up perfectly in our layout as we move forward.

 

Step 2: Building Our Look from the Bottom Up.

Draw a Picture Frame using the Rectangle Frame tool (F) that fills the Margins to the left, right, top, and bottom. Place an image in this Frame (File > Place).

Step 3: Preparing to Panel Your Picture.

Draw four additional Picture Frames over the top of the original Frame using the Margin and the Column Guides for size and position. To make them easier to see, add a white fill by selecting “Paper” from the Swatches palette. These Frames will become your floating panels.

Step 4: How Can Four Picture Frames Contain One Picture.

Select your four “panel” Frames and make them into a Compound Path. (Object > Compound Path > Make) This will combine the four “panel” Frames into one Compound Frame, so there will be just one X going through all four combined Frames.

Step 5: An Original Look Starts with a Copy.

Click between two of panels to select your big background image Frame with the Direct Selection tool. Then Copy the image (Edit > Copy).

Step 6: Paste a Little Magic.

Select your combined “panels” Frame with your Selection tool and go to Edit > Paste Into. This will paste your image (copied from the back Frame) into the combined front Frame at exactly the same size and position as in your back Frame.

Step 7: Making Panels Float Above a Ghost.

With the panels still selected, apply a Drop Shadow (Object > Drop Shadows) to the panels to make them float above the page. Then select the back image and lower it’s Opacity to 30% in the Transparency palette.

Step 8: Re-sizing Your Panels Is A Snap.

Select the combined “panel” Frame with your Selection tool and drag the sides of the Bounding Box in, snapping to the Ruler Guides that you drew in Step 1. This should position your panels 1/2” in from the original background Frame on all sides). And don’t worry, only the Compound frame will re-size. The size and position of the picture will not change at all.

Step 9: Some Impossible Tweaks Add Interest.

Just to make our panels a little more interesting, Gary suggested varying the size and position up and down vertically. Hmm! But is it possible to select and change the individual parts of a Compound Path. Yes! First select your panels with your Selection tool (V), and switch to your Direct Selection tool (A). Using the Direct Selection tool, click on the top side of the first panel and click the Down Arrow on your keyboard. Or you also can click on this top segment and Shift-Drag straight down the page. The Shift key constrains your re-sizing vertically down the page. Vary the other panels, up or down, using the same method.

Step 10: A Blooming Beautiful Finish.

All that’s left is adding your type and you’re finished creating quite an interesting image entirely in InDesign as part of a layout. Thanks for question Gary!

Courtesy of Layers magazine.