Excerpt from Dynamic Learning - InDesign CS3-2

Text wrap on master pages

Wrapping text around an object is not a new feature. Page layout software has been able to do this for years. But previous versions of InDesign didn’t let you place an object on a master page and define a text wrap that would push the text away, regardless of the page on which the object appeared. Instead, you needed to manually apply the text wrap, sometimes referred to as run-around.

With InDesign CS3 you can apply a single text wrap to an object on a master page, and the object is pushed away from the text regardless of the page on which it is used. You can learn more about this in Lesson 3, “Building Documents and Master Pages.”

Applying text wraps in InDesign CS3 is easy, and more flexible.

Photoshop transparency effects

InDesign has borrowed some great features from Photoshop CS3, making it easier to design and apply interesting and artistic effects to images and objects from within InDesign. Many effects and designs that previously required you to work in both InDesign and Photoshop can now be achieved in one place.

1 In the id01_work.indd file, choose the Selection tool () from the Tools panel.

2 Click to select the picture of Stockholm located at the top of the layout.

3 Choose Object > Effects > Gradient Feather. The Effects dialog box opens.

4 In the Effects dialog box, click the Preview checkbox to preview the effect as you make adjustments to the settings in the dialog box. You can see the image adopt the default settings, and fade from full opacity to transparent. Keep all settings unchanged, then press OK.

Apply Photoshop transparency effects without leaving InDesign.

5 Choose Edit > Deselect All so you do not affect this image with future modifications.

6 Choose File > Save, and keep the file open.

Customizable interface

You can customize your version of InDesign yourself, without the need for power tools or safety glasses. Simply make a trip to a couple menus and you can customize most menu choices and some of the panels.

1 Choose Edit > Menus. The Menu Customization dialog box appears.

2 In the Menu Customization dialog box, click the arrow to the left of File to display all the commands available from the File menu.

3 Locate the Save As command and click the eye icon () to the right of this command. When the eye is not visible, the command does not appear in the menu choices. Repeat this process to hide the Check In and the Save a Copy commands from the File menu, then press OK to close the Menu Customization dialog box.

Personalize your menus and navigate through InDesign more quickly and easily.

4 Click the File menu and notice that the three choices you disabled are no longer visible.

5 Choose Edit > Menus. The Menu Customization dialog box appears. Click the area in the visibility column next to Save As, Check In, and Save a Copy so that the eye icon is once again visible. These items now appear in the File menu. Keep the Menu Customization dialog box open.

6 Click to select the Save command, then click the word None in the Color column. The word None becomes a drop-down menu. Click it again and choose Green from the color choices, then press OK to close the Menu Customization dialog box.

7 Click the File menu and notice that the Save option is highlighted in green. This feature makes it easier for you to locate certain commands.

The Save command stands out because of the green highlight you applied.

The Control panel can be similarly customized.

8 From the Tools panel, choose the Selection tool ().

9 Click once to select the picture of Stockholm. Notice that the Control panel, located above the InDesign workspace, displays the size, position, and other information about the selected image.

10 At the far-right side of the Control panel, press the panel menu button () and choose Customize. The Customize Control Panel dialog box opens. Click the checkbox to deselect the Object option; all the Object options become deselected. Click the triangle next to Object to display additional options and click the Transform X-Y-W-H so it is the only item selected. Press OK to close the Customize Control Panel dialog box.

Reselect the image of Stockholm. Notice that the Control panel now only displays the transform information relating to the selected object. 

Disabling the Object option leaves only the transform information in the Control panel.

11 Along the far right side of the Control panel, click the panel menu button again and choose Customize. The Customize Control Panel window opens. Click to reselect the Object option. All the Object options are once again selected. Press OK to close the Customize Control Panel dialog box.

Keep the file open; you will continue to work with it in the next exercise.

Exporting HTML

InDesign CS3 makes it much easier to convert your print projects into content for the Web, especially if you use Adobe Dreamweaver CS3.

1 Choose File > Cross-media Export > XHTML/Dreamweaver. The Save As dialog box appears. Navigate to the id01lessons folder, then open the Web folder and press Save. The XHTML Export Options dialog box appears.

2 In the XHTML Export Options dialog box, you can choose options relating to the XHTML file that will be generated from your InDesign document. If it’s not already done, set the Export option to Document, not Selection. Keep all other settings unchanged and press Export to generate the XHTML file.

Generate XHTML files from your InDesign documents to put them on the Web.

You can open and edit the XHTML file that was generated using Dreamweaver CS3, or view the file using your web browser.

Improved lists

You may need to create documents that contain different types of lists. Maybe you need to use numbered lists, or perhaps lists with bullets. InDesign CS3 makes it possible to create sophisticated lists, but it does require a little bit of work. You can now create lists with multiple levels, span lists across multiple text frames that are not connected, and use the Paragraph Styles panel to more easily format the numbers or bullets used in a list. In Lesson 4, “Working with Text and Type,” these capabilities are covered in more detail.

One way to add a more fun, or sophisticated, look to your lists is to use the Paragraph Styles panel.

Text variables

If you create documents with various sections, such as catalogs, magazines, books, or brochures, you can benefit from the variable text capabilities of InDesign CS3.
In order for this exercise to function correctly, you must have formatted the headline using the Styles discussed earlier in the lesson. If you have not already formatted the headline using the chapter heading style, do so now.

1 Using the Type tool (), click to insert the cursor in the empty text frame in the upper-right corner of the page.

2 Choose Type > Text Variables > Insert Variable > Running Header. The word Stockholm appears in the text box.

This is because the style applied to the Stockholm text has been defined as a variable. InDesign located the first usage of the text on the page, and then placed it into the running header. You’ll discover more about text variables in Lesson 10, “Advanced Document Features.”

Go to Type > Text Variables > Insert Variable > Running Header to add a header to your Stockholm brochure.

Choose File > Close to close the document. When asked if you want to save your changes, choose No.

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