How do I feather a photo edge in Adobe® InDesign®?

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Phot with feathere edge

  • Click on the photo with the Selection tool
  • InDesign CS5, CS4 & CS3: Go to Object > Effects 
    • Choose BasicFeather, Directional Feather or Gradient Feather
  • InDesign CS2 & CS: Go to Object > Feather  
    • Click the Feather check box

Basic Feather

  • Click Preview to see the changes take effect
  • Type a value in the Feather Width field
    • The larger the value, the larger the feathered edge becomes
    • Try different values
  • Choose a Corners type from the drop-down menu
    • Choose from Sharp, Rounded or Diffused
  • InDesign CS5, CS4, CS3 & CS2 users: Noise can be addded to the feathered edge
    • Type a percentage in the Noise field or use the slider
    • Try different percentages or leave it at 0
  • InDesign CS5, CS4 & CS3: A Choke percentage can be added to the shadow
    • This value determines how much of the effect is transparent and how much is opaque
    • Large values make it more opaque, small values make it more transparent
  • Click OK when you are finished

Basic Feather

Directional Feather - InDesign CS5, CS4 & CS3

  • Click Preview to see the changes take effect
  • Type a value in the Feather Width field
    • The effect can be applied to the Top, Bottom, Left or Right edges
    • Click the lock to fade all edges the same amount
    • The larger the value, the larger the feathered edge becomes
    • Try different values
  • Noise can be addded to the feathered edge
    • Type a percentage in the Noise field or use the slider
    • Try different percentages or leave it at 0
  •  A Choke percentage can be added to the shadow
    • This value determines how much of the effect is transparent and how much is opaque
    • Large values make it more opaque, small values make it more transparent
  • Choose a Shape option, if needed
    • Leave it on All Edges or choose First Edge Only or Leading Edges
  • An Angle for the effect can also be specified
    • An angle other than a multiple of 90 degrees skews the feathered edge
  • Click OK when you are finished

Directional Feather

Gradient Feather - InDesign CS5, CS4 & CS3

  • Click Preview to see the changes take effect
  • Adjust the Gradient Stops
    • Gradient stops can be adjusted by dragging them left or right
    • Gradient stops can be added by click below the Gradient Slider
    • The mid-point can be adjusted by dragging the diamond above the Gradient Slider
    • Reverse Gradient - click the box to the right of the Gradient Slider
    • Opacity - Click a point and drag it to change the transparency between gradient points
    • Location -click a gradient stop and add a measurment or drag the slider to adjust the position
  • Choose a Radial or Linear gradient in the Options section
    • The Angle of linear gradients can be changed
    • Try different angles
  • Click OK when you are finished

Gradient Feather

A feathered edge with noise added

Feathered edge with noise