How do I remove the background of my photo in Adobe® InDesign®?

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InDesign can be used to remove the background of a photo and create an effect similar to a clipping path if the photo is a TIFF or JPG file. For complicated images, it may be easier to use Photoshop® to create a clipping path.

Place the photo

  • With nothing selected, press D to set the Fill & Stroke to the default values
  • Go to File > Place
  • Scroll to the directory/folder containing the photo
  • Double-click on the photo name 
  • Click the loaded pointer icon on the layout to place the photo

Photo

Select the photo

  • Click on the photo with the Selection Selection tool tool
  • Go to Object > Clipping path
  • In the Clipping Path options, select None
  • Click OK

Create a path

  • Select the Pen Pen tool or Pencil Pencil tool tool from the Toolbar
  • Draw around the area you want to silhouette
  • Make sure the you end the path where you started it 
  • The Pencil works best as a freehand tool
  • The Pen gives more control but takes time to gain expertise

Click with Direct selection toolSelect the path

  • Click on the Direct Selection Direct Selection tool tool (white arrow)
  • Click on the line you have just drawn.
    • When the line is selected, anchor points (little white boxes) will appear on it
  • Copy the path
    • In Windows:  press Control + C
    • On a Mac: press Command + C

 

 

Deselect and cutDeselect and cut

  • With the Direct Selection tool, click on the photo outside the path
  • The highlighted path will disappear and become a solid line.
  • Cut the path
    • In Windows: press Control + X
    • On a Mac: press Command + X
    • DON’T PANIC!!!
  • Your photo will now look like the example to the right 

 

Paste intoPaste into

  • Use Direct Selection tool again
  • Click on the path to highlight it
  • Go to Edit > Paste Into  
  • Use the Direct Selection tool to click on the photo inside the path
  • Hold the mouse button until the pointer turns black
  • Drag the ghosted image into the clipping path to align the subject with the path

 

Move photo

Photo moved into place Photo moved

To edit the path

  • Add anchor point toolUse the Direct Selection tool to click on the path
  • Click on any Anchor point (white box) and drag to fine tune your silhouette
  • To add more anchor points for more fine tuning:
    • Click and hold the Pen tool in the toolbox
    • Select the Add Anchor Point tool to add more Anchor points
    • Click to add another point

Add anchor point Anchor point added Anchor point added

  • Make your adjustments

Photo on a background Photo on background

Contributed by:
Jerry Wagner
Technical Support Adviser
Herff Jones Gettysburg Printing Facility