Imagine your readers not only viewing a series of images, but flipping through multiple motifs themselves. That's exactly what InDesign makes possible with galleries in interactive documents. You control the gallery via small navigation buttons that let people page forward and backward.
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Important to know: This function only works when exporting as a Flash file (SWF). A PDF does not support the gallery function. In this tutorial, I'll guide you step by step through the entire process, from the image frame through the object states to the finished export and test.
Key Takeaways
- A gallery consists of an image frame whose object states each contain a different image.
- You should set frame fitting options and effects right at the beginning so you don't have to rework them for each image individually.
- Navigation buttons are linked via the Buttons panel with the actions "Go to Next State" and "Go to Previous State".
- The gallery works exclusively in Flash export (SWF). Adobe Media Player is suitable for testing.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Set frame fitting and effects in advance
Before you add images, check the frame fitting options of the image frame. To do this, select the frame, open the context menu with the right mouse button and choose "Fitting" and then "Frame Fitting Options". Activate "Auto-Fit" there as well as "Fill Frame Proportionally" with the setting "From Center". This way, each inserted image fills the frame evenly and stays centered.
If you have also planned an effect such as a drop shadow, set it now too. If you only apply it after creating the states, you will have to repeat it afterwards for each individual image.
Step 2: Open the Object States panel
Open the Object States panel via the "Window" menu in the "Interactive" section. It is still empty at first. Now select the prepared image frame so that the panel is assigned to this object.
Step 3: Create additional states
In the lower area of the panel, click the small icon for a new state. This adds another state to the image that is already there. Name it by double-clicking, for example with numbers like "2". Since you need several images for a gallery, you create a total of six states this way. Naming them with consecutive numbers helps you keep track, especially when you insert many images later.
Step 4: Drag images from Mini Bridge into the states
After creating them, all states still show the same image. Therefore, select states 2 through 6 one after another and drag a different image from Mini Bridge into the image frame each time. So that the Object States area isn't covered, you can detach the panel from the dock beforehand and move it freely. Position Mini Bridge so that you can reach it easily.
Once you have selected a state, the image content appears in the frame as soon as you drag an image into it. Repeat this process for each state until every number shows its own motif.
Step 5: Give the object state an object name
Next, assign a unique object name to the image frame. The navigation buttons will later be assigned via this name. Once the name has been assigned, you can close the Object States panel and Mini Bridge.
Step 6: Bring navigation buttons to the right layer
You will usually have already prepared the arrows for navigation. They are often on their own layer so that they are not confused with the images. Show the Layers panel with F7 and drag the layer with the buttons above the gallery so that it becomes visible. If the buttons are below the image frame, they won't be visible in the layout.
Step 7: Convert the arrow into a button
Select the first arrow, which will be used for paging forward. Open the "Buttons and Forms" panel via "Window" and "Interactive". In the "Appearance" area, select the Normal state. Click the small plus sign to add an action. Choose the action "Go to Next State", which targets the gallery object. Set "Release" as the event so that the action is triggered when the arrow is clicked. The arrow is now a button.
Step 8: Set up backward navigation
For the second arrow, proceed in the same way, only with the action "Go to Previous State". Make sure that the gallery is actually selected in the "Object" field. If a document contains several objects with states, you must choose the correct object from the list each time. In this example there is only one gallery, so the selection is unambiguous.
Step 9: Check the gallery in the preview
Before you export, test the gallery in the preview. Start the animations and click the arrows. Check whether you page forward and backward through all the states and whether the gallery starts over from the beginning at the end. If you notice any errors, correct the assignments before continuing.
Step 10: Export as an SWF file
Open the export dialog with Ctrl+E and select the SWF format. If an old file already exists, overwrite it and confirm the prompt. In the next dialog, select "Export All Pages" and set the scaling to 100 percent. You do not need an HTML file in this case. You can leave the advanced options at their default settings. Click "OK" to start the export.
Step 11: Test the exported file
Open the finished SWF file in Adobe Media Player. The animation is played first. Afterwards, you can page through the gallery with the arrows, just like in the preview. You have now created an interactive document with animations and a working gallery.
Summary – Creating an interactive image gallery in InDesign and exporting it as a Flash file
A gallery in InDesign is created from an image frame with multiple object states. First, you define the frame fitting and any effects. Then you add states and assign an image to each state. Using the Buttons panel, you link the arrows with the actions "Go to Next State" and "Go to Previous State". After testing in the preview, you export the file as SWF and check it in Adobe Media Player. It is important to note that the gallery only works in Flash format.
FAQ
Can I also use a gallery in a PDF file?No, the gallery function with navigation buttons only works when exporting as a Flash file (SWF), not with PDF.
Why should I set effects such as drop shadows before creating the states?If you add the effect afterwards, you have to set it separately for each individual state. If it is set beforehand, it automatically applies to all images.
Which actions do I need for the navigation arrows?For the forward arrow, you choose "Go to Next State"; for the backward arrow, "Go to Previous State". Set "Release" as the event.
What can I use to test the finished SWF file?You can open the file in Adobe Media Player, for example, and check there whether the animations and navigation work as desired.
