You can draw objects in a document and use them as paths or as frames. Paths are vector graphics like those you create in a drawing program such as Adobe Illustrator®. Frames are identical to paths, with only one difference—they can be containers for text or other objects. A frame can also exist as a placeholder—a container without contents. As containers and placeholders, frames are the basic building blocks for a document’s layout.

Paths and frames

A.

Path

B.

Frame as graphic container

C.

Frame with placed graphic

You can draw both paths and frames using tools in the Toolbox. You can also create frames by simply placing (importing) or pasting contents into a path.

Because a frame is just a container version of a path, you can do anything to a frame that you can do to a path, such as add a color or a gradient to its fill or stroke, or edit the shape of the frame itself with the Pen tool. You can even use a frame as a path, or vice versa, at any time. This flexibility makes it easy to change your design and provides a wide range of design choices.

Frames can contain text or graphics. A text frame determines the area to be occupied by text and how text will flow through the layout. You can recognize text frames by the text ports in their respective upper left and lower right corners.

A graphics frame can function as a border and background, and can crop or mask a graphic. When acting as an empty placeholder, a graphics frame displays a crossbar.

Text frame (left) and empty graphics frame (right)

If you don’t see the crossbar inside an empty graphics frame, the frame edges display may be turned off.

For a video on working with objects, see www.adobe.com/go/vid0071.