Master spreads
The idea of an IDML master spread in one screen — a spread of repeating items that body pages apply by AppliedMaster — with links to the full reference.
A master spread is a spread whose items appear on every body page that applies it.
In short Running heads, folios, background panels and frame templates are drawn once,
on a master spread, in MasterSpreads/MasterSpread_*.xml. A body <Page> names a master
in AppliedMaster, and the master page at the same position supplies its items to that
page, behind the page's own items. The items are not copied into the body spread's XML.
A page can override single master items. The details are in the
Master spreads & overrides chapter.
A master spread is a spread
A <MasterSpread> has the same structure as a <Spread>: <Page> children placed by
their ItemTransform, followed by page items in spread coordinates. It adds a name,
written three ways (NamePrefix such as A, BaseName such as Master, and the Name
they make, A-Master), and it is listed in designmap.xml before the body spreads.
A body page links to it by the master's Self id: AppliedMaster="umaster". A facing
master has a left and a right page; the first page of a body spread takes its items from
the master's first page, the second from the second. A master page can itself apply
another master (based on a master); its AppliedMaster names the parent, or n for none.
Two body pages apply the same two-page master; each receives the master's rule from the master page in the same position.
Where to read on
- Master items and stamping:
which master items reach which page,
MasterPageTransform,ShowMasterItems, stacking. - Override resolution:
OverrideList, replacing or deleting a single master item on one page.
In Paged: masters are rendered, renamed and created as editing operations; see the Paged docs. Supported · verified
Frequently asked questions
What is a master spread in IDML?
A spread of repeating items in a MasterSpreads/ part. Every body page that names it in
AppliedMaster shows its items behind the page's own content.
How does a body page apply a master?
With AppliedMaster set to the master spread's Self id. n means no master.
Are master items copied into the body spread? No. They stay in the master part. A body spread only holds the items drawn on its own pages, plus any master items the page has overridden and so owns.
Page items and stacking
What an IDML spread contains, and how layer order and document order together set the back-to-front paint order of its page items.
Master spreads & overrides
How an IDML body page combines its master's items with its own — master pages supply repeating items, and an OverrideList replaces or drops single items.