Yes, Virginia, you can put HTML on the A-layer.

Posted on February 17, 2012, by Matt Cokeley

Separate groups allow HTML to function properly on the A-layer

Recently I’ve been spreading false information about HTML’s capabilities within Mag+ A-layer. I was under the impression that you could only embed HTML on the B-layer. Turns out I’ve been lying! For shame.

Typically everything must be grouped in order for the graphic hierarchy created in InDesign to hold up. Grouping is exactly what overrides the HTML’s functionality. In order for HTML to work properly on the A-layer the project’s box must live independently of all other grouped objects. That means that any objects above or below the HTML box must not be grouped together either. In the attached image, everything above the sliding film strip is grouped as one and everything below is another group altogether. This structure will allow your HTML project to come to life on the A-layer.

http://twitter.com/toby1kenobi toby1kenobi

This is potentially very useful, but your description doesn’t seem to make sense?! You say grouping, “overrides the HTML’s functionality”, and that any objects, “above or below the HTML box must not be grouped together either”. However, you then go on to suggest that everything in the example image is grouped?!
http://twitter.com/magPlus_matt Matthew Cokeley

Hi Toby. Take a closer look at the image attached. Everything above the HTML slider is one group. Everything below is another group. Group 1 and Group 2 are not grouped together and the HTML slider lives in between. Hope that makes sense.
http://twitter.com/toby1kenobi toby1kenobi

Ok Matthew, I think I understand now.

The sentence, “That means that any objects above or below the HTML box must not be grouped together either” makes it sound a bit like nothing can be grouped, but I think you mean objects above and below *can* be grouped, but only with other objects in the same region (either above or bellow, but not both) – is that right?