---
title: "Layers and frames | Customer's Canvas Hub"
canonical: "https://customerscanvas.com/docs/hub/designers-manual/adobe/indesign/layers-and-frames/"
---

# Layers and frames

> In this article, you will consider how Customer's Canvas supports layers and frames defined in InDesign files.

## Layers

In InDesign, layers are containers for elements.

In the following screenshot, **Layer 1** contains `Object 1` and `Object 2`. **Layer 2** contains `Object 3` and `Object 4`.

Customer's Canvas imports only these objects and ignores the InDesign's layers. In the Template Editor, these objects will appear in the **Main** layer.

![The layers in InDesign and in Template Editor.](images/indesign-layers.png)

## Graphic frames

InDesign uses *graphic frames* as containers for vector and raster images.

Let's see how Customer's Canvas supports graphic frames.

### Linked images 

When you add an image to your design, this image will be *linked* by default. To see these images, click **Windows** > **Links**. 

![The Links panel in InDesign.](images/indesign-links.png)

If your design has linked images, you need to save your file for Customer's Canvas as a package. To read more about a package, read the [How to package IDML files](https://customerscanvas.com/docs/hub/designers-manual/adobe/indesign/saving/how-to-package.md) article.

To learn how to upload a design with linked images, read the [Importing from InDesign](https://customerscanvas.com/docs/hub/admin-guide/manage-assets/design/import-indesign.md) article.

### Embedded images

You can embed images. To do so, go to **Links**, right-click the image and select **Embed link**. You can upload the design with embedded images to Customer's Canvas. Read more recommendations in the [How to save IDML files](https://customerscanvas.com/docs/hub/designers-manual/adobe/indesign/saving/how-to-save-idml.md) article.

![How to embed an image.](images/idml-how-to-save-embed.png)

### Image placeholders

Starting from version 7.1.14, Customer's Canvas creates empty placeholders from graphic frames by default. To add a placeholder, you can click the **Frame Tool** in the toolbox and drag a shape. This will create an empty placeholder.

If the frames are not imported as placeholders, check the `InterpretEmptyGraphicFrameAsImagePlaceholder` parameter in **Aurigma.DesignAtoms.config**. To make it work, set it to `true`.
 
Let's consider what properties of graphic frames Customer's Canvas supports.

### Transform

Customer's Canvas supports geometric information about a graphics frame from the **Properties** panel: 

* Size
* Rotation
* Values for position

:::note
Customer's Canvas recognizes any position of the reference point as the upper-left corner position.
:::

![Transform properties of a graphic frame.](images/indesign-layers-transform.png)

### Appearance

Customer's Canvas recognizes the appearance of a frame:

Customer's Canvas recognizes the properties defining the appearance of a graphic frame:

* **Fill**
* **Stroke** in `pt`. Supports the `Solid` mode.
* **Corner** in `in`. Supports the `None` and `Rounded` modes.
* **Opacity** in `%`

Let's see how Customer's Canvas supports text frames.

## Text frame 

InDesign uses *text frames* as containers for text. To create a new text frame, use the **Type Tool**.

When you upload a design to Customer's Canvas, you need to upload fonts from this design. To do so, read the [fonts](https://customerscanvas.com/docs/hub/admin-guide/manage-assets/fonts.md) article.

Customer's Canvas imports the following text properties, which can be observed in the **Design** panel of the Template Editor:

* Text frame as area
* Font name and font style
* Font size in `pt`
* Leading in `in`
* Tracking in `in`
* Alignment: `left`, `right`, `center`, `top`, `bottom`
* Justify with last line aligned: `right`, `left`, `center`, `all lines`
* Scale horizontal and vertical in `%`
* Baseline shift in `in`
* First baseline offset: `ascent`, `cap height`, `leading`, `x height`, `fixed`
* First baseline min offset in `in`
* Underline text
* OpenType features
* Space before and after
* First line indent
* Left indent and right indent
* Lists
* List bullet alignment
* Multiframe text flow
* Path bounded text
* Path text
* Vertical text
* Text wrapping
* Vertical text
* Auto size

:::warning
If you insert text into a rectangular frame, don't distort the frame shape with the **Distort** tool. Otherwise, some parts of your text might not be displayed on the canvas and in print files.
:::

Let's see the list of the supported OpenType features:

* Superscript and subscript 
* All Caps
* Standard ligatures
* Swash
* Stylistic sets
* Ordinal
* Fractions
* Old style figures
* Lining figures
* Slashed zero
* Historical forms
* Metrical kerning
* Localized forms

:::note
Customer's Canvas doesn't import the following OpenType features:

* Сontextual Alternates
* Discretionary Ligatures
* Small caps from capitals
* Case sensitive forms
* Historical Ligatures
* Tabular Figures and etc.
:::