Inside IDML
An IDML (InDesign Markup Language) file is a type of XML-based file format used by Adobe InDesign, a popular desktop publishing software. IDML files are used for the exchange and collaboration of InDesign documents between different versions of InDesign or with other software that can parse and work with the IDML format.
Inside
Here's a breakdown of what you can find inside an IDML file:
Document Structure
Page Setup
Information about the document's page size, margins, and columns.
Master Pages
Definitions of master pages used in the document, including page elements like headers, footers, and layout grids.
Layers
Information about the layers used in the document, including their names and visibility settings.
Text
Text Frames
The content of text frames, including text, formatting (font, size, color, etc.), and positioning.
Paragraph and Character Styles
Definitions of paragraph and character styles used in the document, which define the appearance of text.
Story Threads
The organization of text frames into linked stories, which determine the flow of text through the document.
Hyperlinks
Links and their destinations within the document or external URLs.
Tables
Information about tables, including content, formatting, and structure.
Images and Graphics
Embedded Images
The actual image files (JPEG, PNG, etc.) that are used in the document.
Image Placement
Information about the positioning and scaling of placed images within the document.
Graphic Styles
Definitions of graphic styles used for vector graphics and shapes.
Colors and Swatches
Swatch Definitions: Information about the colors and swatches used in the document, including their names and color values (e.g., CMYK, RGB).
Objects and Shapes
Shapes and Objects: Definitions of vector shapes and objects on the pages, including their attributes, transformations, and layering.
Document Metadata
Document Properties: Metadata such as the document's title, author, description, and creation date.
Document History
Undo Information: A history of user actions, allowing for the potential restoration of previous states of the document.
XML Structure
The entire IDML file is structured using XML (eXtensible Markup Language), which provides a way to represent and organize all the elements and their attributes in a hierarchical and human-readable format.
IDML files are essentially a collection of XML files and assets (like images) bundled together in a compressed archive. This format is useful for transferring InDesign documents between different users or software applications that support IDML, as it maintains most of the document's structure, content, and formatting while being more portable and versatile than the native InDesign file format (INDD).
Package parts
Here's a detailed explanation of some common package parts you might find in an IDML file:
META-INF/ (Metadata Information)
This directory typically contains metadata related to the IDML file. The specific files you might find include:
container.xml
This file is essential for identifying the root content of the package and specifying the location of the main content file (typically designmap.xml).
manifest.xml
This file lists all the parts (XML files and assets) within the package and their relationships.
signature.xml
If the IDML file is digitally signed for authentication or verification purposes, this file contains information related to the digital signature.
designmap.xml (Document Structure)
This XML file serves as a manifest for the entire IDML document. It lists all the components and resources in the IDML package, providing a high-level overview of the document's structure.
Resources/ (Asset Repository)
The "Resources" directory contains various assets used in the document, such as images, fonts, and color profiles. These assets may include:
Images
Graphic files (e.g., JPEG, PNG) that are embedded in the document.
Fonts
Font files (e.g., TTF, OTF) used in the document.
Color Profiles
Profiles specifying color spaces and color management settings.
Links
If the document contains links to external assets, these links may be referenced in this directory.
Stories/ (Text Content)
The "Stories" directory contains XML files representing text stories within the document. Each story corresponds to a specific text flow in the document. These XML files include text content, formatting, and structural information.
Spreads/ (Page Layout)
The "Spreads" directory holds XML files representing individual pages or spreads in the document. These XML files define the layout and content of each page, including text frames, images, and other objects.
MasterSpreads/ (Master Page Layout)
Similar to "Spreads," the "MasterSpreads" directory contains XML files representing master pages. Master pages define the layout elements that can be applied to regular pages throughout the document, such as headers, footers, and grid structures.
Styles/ (Styling Definitions)
The "Styles" directory contains XML files defining various styles used in the document. These styles include:
Paragraph Styles
Definitions for formatting paragraphs of text.
Character Styles
Definitions for formatting individual characters or text spans.
Object Styles
Definitions for formatting objects and graphic elements.
Table Styles
Definitions for formatting tables and their cells.
XML Structure
These are the core XML files representing the document's content and structure, found within directories like "Stories," "Spreads," and "MasterSpreads." These XML files contain elements that define text frames, images, graphics, colors, and other document components.