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GPU Performance in Adobe InDesign

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  1. InDesign User Guide
  2. Get to know InDesign
    1. Introduction to InDesign
      1. What's New in InDesign
      2. System requirements
      3. Common questions
      4. Use Creative Cloud libraries
      5. GPU performance
    2. Workspace
      1. Workspace basics
      2. Contextual task bar
      3. Customize your workspace in InDesign
      4. Toolbox
      5. Set preferences
      6. Properties panel
      7. Touch workspace
      8. Default keyboard shortcuts
      9. Undo edits and manage History panel
      10. Document recovery and undo
    3. Generative AI (Not available in mainland China)
      1. Text to Image
      2. Generative Expand
      3. Generative Fill (beta)
      4. Generative AI FAQ
  3. Create and layout documents
    1. Documents and pages
      1. Create documents
      2. Work with parent pages
      3. Work with document pages
      4. Set page size, margins, and bleed
      5. Work with files and templates
      6. Convert PDFs to InDesign Documents (beta)
      7. Create book files
      8. Add basic page numbering
      9. Number pages, chapters, and sections
      10. Convert QuarkXPress and PageMaker documents
      11. Share content
      12. Understand a basic managed-file workflow
      13. Save documents
    2. Grids
      1. Grids
      2. Format grids
    3. Layout aids
      1. Rulers
      2. Align and distribute objects using rulers
      3. Measure objects using the Measure tool
  4. Add content
    1. Text
      1. Add text to frames
      2. Threading text
      3. South-East Asian Scripts
      4. Arabic and Hebrew features in InDesign
      5. Create type on a path
      6. Bullets and numbering
      7. Create math expressions
      8. Glyphs and special characters
      9. Text composition
      10. Composing CJK characters
      11. Text variables
      12. Generate QR codes
      13. Edit text
      14. Align text
      15. Wrap text around objects
      16. Anchored objects
      17. Linked content
      18. Format paragraphs
      19. Format characters
    2. Typography
      1. Using fonts in InDesign
      2. Kerning and tracking
      3. Scale and skew type
      4. Apply color effects to type
    3. Format text
      1. Format text
      2. Auto Style text
      3. Work with Style Packs
      4. Tabs and indents
    4. Review text
      1. Track and review changes
      2. Add editorial notes in InDesign
      3. Import PDF comments
    5. Spell check and language dictionaries
      1. Check spelling, autocorrect, and dynamic spelling
      2. Create, add, and manage dictionaries and words
      3. Change dictionary preferences
      4. Duden dictionary
    6. Add references
      1. Create a table of contents
      2. Footnotes
      3. Create an index
      4. Endnotes
      5. Captions
    7. Styles
      1. Paragraph and character styles
      2. Map, export, and manage styles
      3. Object styles
      4. Drop caps and nested styles
      5. Work with styles
      6. Leading
    8. Tables
      1. Format tables
      2. Create tables
      3. Table and Cell styles
      4. Select and edit tables
      5. Table strokes and fills
    9. Interactivity
      1. Hyperlinks
      2. Dynamic PDF documents
      3. Bookmarks
      4. Buttons
      5. Forms
      6. Animation
      7. Cross-references
      8. Structure PDFs
      9. Page transitions
      10. Movies and sounds
    10. Graphics
      1. Understand paths and shapes
      2. Draw with the Pencil tool
      3. Draw with the Pen tool
      4. Apply line (stroke) settings 
      5. Compound paths and shapes
      6. Edit paths
      7. Clipping paths
      8. Change corner appearance
      9. Frames and objects
      10. Align and distribute objects
      11. Linked and embedded graphics
      12. Integrate AEM assets
    11. Color and transparency
      1. Apply color
      2. Use colors from imported graphics
      3. Work with swatches
      4. Mix inks
      5. Tints
      6. Understand spot and process colors
      7. Blend colors
      8. Gradients
      9. Flatten transparent artwork
      10. Add transparency effects
  5. Find and replace
    1. Find and replace text
    2. Find and replace fonts
    3. Find and replace glyphs
    4. Find and replace using GREP expressions and queries
    5. Find and replace objects
    6. Find and replace colors
    7. Search options to find and replace
  6. Share
    1. Save and access cloud documents
    2. Organize, manage, and share cloud documents
    3. View and manage versions in cloud documents
    4. Common questions about InDesign cloud documents
    5. InCopy on the web (Beta)
    6. Share and collaborate        
    7. Share for Review
    8. Review a shared InDesign document
    9. Manage feedback
    10. Invite to edit
  7. Export, import, and publish
    1. Place, export, and publish
      1. Publish online
      2. Publish online dashboard
      3. Copy, insert graphics
      4. Export to Adobe Express
      5. Export content for EPUB
      6. Adobe PDF options
      7. Export to HTML5
      8. Export content to HTML (Legacy)
      9. Export to Adobe PDF
      10. Export to JPEG or PNG format
      11. Import SVG files
      12. Supported File Formats
      13. Export and import User Settings
    2. Printing
      1. Print booklets
      2. Printer's marks and bleeds
      3. Print documents
      4. Inks, separation, and screen frequency
      5. Overprinting
      6. Create PostScript and EPS files
      7. Preflight files before handoff
      8. Print thumbnails and oversized documents
      9. Prepare PDFs for service providers
      10. Prepare to print separations
  8. Extend InDesign
    1. Automation
      1. Data merge
      2. Plug-ins
      3. Capture extension in InDesign
      4. Scripting
  9. Troubleshooting
    1. Fixed issues
    2. Known issues
    3. Crash on launch
    4. Improve InDesign performance
    5. Preference folder read-only issue
    6. Troubleshoot file issues
    7. Unable to export InDesign file to PDF
    8. InDesign document recovery

Learn all about the GPU Performance in InDesign.

The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a specialized processor that can rapidly execute commands for manipulating and displaying images. GPU-accelerated computing offers faster performance across a broad range of design, animation, and video applications. With GPU Performance, InDesign gets a performance boost and runs faster and smoother.

Unlock faster performance with GPU in InDesign

HiDPI monitors are now standard, but their high resolutions can strain the CPU during rendering. To maintain smooth performance, InDesign has traditionally used the Typical Quality display, which lowers image fidelity while zooming, scrolling, or panning. With GPU acceleration, InDesign offloads rendering to the GPU-ideal for high-density displays. This allows faster, smoother interactions while displaying images at full quality.

If your system has a compatible GPU, InDesign automatically uses it and sets display performance to High Quality. If you see a lag in InDesign performance due to your GPU card, you can either disable GPU Performance or change preview mode to Preview with CPU in InDesign.

For optimum GPU Performance, your Windows should have a minimum of 1024 MB of VRAM (2 GB recommended). The GPU feature is supported on monitors with a resolution greater than 2K. Open GL version should be 4.4 and above.

Disable GPU performance in Windows

If your computer meets the system requirements for GPU Performance, the GPU option will be enabled by default in Preferences. However, you can manually switch to CPU mode at any time and disable the GPU option.

  1. Open the Preferences panel (Press Ctrl+K or choose Edit > Preferences > GPU Performance) to display the GPU Performance settings.

    preferences dialog highlighting gpu

  2. Uncheck the GPU Performance checkbox and select OK.

FAQs

If the GPU isn't enabled by default on Windows, please share the following information:

  • Display adapters in Device Manager (Ensure that the display cable is connected to the GPU port on machines with dual display ports for proper rendering)
Display adapters
Expand the Display adapters options to check the GPU cards available for your device.

  • Display settings (To access the GPU feature on Windows, the monitor should have a resolution above 2K.)
A screenshot showing the Display dialog
To access the GPU feature on Windows, the monitor should have a resolution above 2K.

  • Share the IDSniffer file available at %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Adobe\InDesign\Version 20.0\en_US\Caches\GPULog\IDSniffer

  1. Launch InDesign.

  2. Open the Preferences panel (Press Ctrl+K or choose Edit > Preferences).

  3. In the Performance tab, note the manufacturer listed under the GPU Details area.

Select your GPU manufacturer from the drop-down list and follow the steps to update your drivers. If your computer has multiple GPU cards from different manufacturers, update the drivers for each card.

  1. On your Windows computer, press Windows+R.

  2. Type devmgmt.msc, and then press Enter.

  3. In the Device Manager console, expand the node Display adapters.

  4. Right-click the GPU card you want to update the drivers for and choose Update driver.

    A screenshot showing the display adapters and the properties option is highlighted which shows the information of teh selected GPU card
    Select Properties to get the information about your GPU driver.

  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver software.

  6. Close the Device Manager console.

Note:

If your drivers are still not updated, here are some resources to find and update your drivers:

Follow these steps to update your AMD driver:

  1. On your Windows computer, press Windows+R.

  2. Type devmgmt.msc, and then press Enter.

  3. In the Device Manager console, expand the node Display adapters.

  4. Right-click the GPU card you want to update the drivers for and choose Update driver.

    A screenshot showing the display adapters and the properties option is highlighted which shows the information of teh selected GPU card
    Select Properties to get the information about your GPU driver.

  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver software.

  6. Close the Device Manager console.

Note:

If your drivers are still not updated, here are some resources to find and update your AMD driver:

  1. Go to: http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-033916.htm.

  2. Follow the instructions to download and install the latest drivers for your GPU card.

  1. Go to: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us.

  2. Search for your GPU card, download and install the latest drivers.

For optimum GPU Performance, your Mac should have a minimum of 1024 MB of VRAM (2 GB recommended), and your computer must support Metal.

InDesign support for macOS Metal API significantly boosts the performance, and increases the response time on systems with Apple silicon M1 and higher.

Metal GPU feature is supported on:

  • iMac 4K
  • iMac 5K
  • MacBook Pro Retina
  • Mac Pro connected to a HiDPI monitor
  • Mac mini connected to a HiDPI monitor

To check for VRAM value, choose Mac > About This Mac (Graphics information)

Disable GPU performance in macOS

If your computer meets the system requirements for GPU Performance, the GPU option will be enabled by default in Preferences. However, you can manually switch to CPU mode at any time and disable the GPU option.

  1. Open the Preferences panel (Press Cmd+K or choose InDesign > Preferences > GPU Performance) to display the GPU Performance settings.

    preferences dialog highlighting gpu

  2. Uncheck the GPU Performance checkbox and select OK.

Change preview mode

When the GPU performance is enabled, you can switch (Shift + E) between the GPU Preview mode and the Preview on CPU mode.

  • To switch to GPU Preview, go to View > GPU Preview.
To switch to GPU Preview, go to View > GPU Preview.

  • To switch to CPU Preview, go to View > Preview on CPU.
To switch to CPU Preview, go to View > Preview on CPU.

Animated Zoom in InDesign

In the Preferences panel, you can adjust additional GPU Performance settings beyond turning it on or off. The enhanced performance from using the GPU in InDesign powers features like Animated Zoom, which make zoom actions smooth and animated.

  • Select the Zoom   tool (Z), and do one of the following:
    • Press and hold down the mouse button (long press) to zoom in to the center. Press the Option/ Alt key and hold down the mouse button (long press) to zoom out.
    • Press and drag the pointer to the right to zoom in or to the left to zoom out.
    • Press Shift to switch to marquee zoom mode.

More like this

To further enhance InDesign performance based on your operating system, refer to improve InDesign performance on Windows or macOS.

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