Introduction

InDesign truly is a designer’s tool. The familiar Adobe interface alone is enough to set it apart from other page layout applications and to inspire graphic designers everywhere to expand their print design horizons. Now with the release of CS5, InDesigners can literally push their creativity through the roof with all of its added functionality.

Better performance, new features, and an enhanced user experience—Adobe has brought all this and more to the latest version of InDesign, and Using Adobe InDesign CS5 provides an introduction to all the new features and shows you how to get the most out of them. If you’re totally new to using layout software, this book will get you started on the right track. If you’re coming over from QuarkXPress, the transition will be smoother than ever. If you’re already an InDesign user and are upgrading to CS5, you will be just as impressed with the ease of transition and the new feature improvements.

Requirements, Editions, and Features

To be sure you can run Adobe InDesign CS5, here’s a look at the basic hardware requirements.

Mac OS X System Requirements

• Mac OS X version 10.5.4 or later

• Multicore Intel processor

• 1GB of RAM

• 1024×768 monitor resolution with 16-bit or greater video card

• At least 1GB of free hard disk space

• A DVD drive for installation

Windows XP/Vista/7 System Requirements

• Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (Service Pack 3 recommended), Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 or later, or Windows 7

• 1.5GHz or better processor

• 1GB of RAM

• 1024×768 monitor resolution with 16-bit or greater video card (24-bit recommended)

• At least 2.6GB of free hard disk space

• A DVD drive for installation

Let’s take a peek at some of the new features introduced in InDesign CS5 that you’ll be learning about:

• Multiple Page Sizes: InDesign CS5 enables you to define different page sizes for individual pages within a single document. You can learn more about this feature in Chapter 3, “Working with Documents.”

• New Layers Panel: The Layers panel in InDesign CS5 enables you to hide or show individual layer objects and adjust their stacking order. You can learn more about working with the new Layers panel in Chapter 6, “Working with Objects.”

• Content Grabber: The Content Grabber enables you to select and reposition frame contents using the Selection tool. You can learn more about using the Content Grabber in Chapter 5, “Working with Frames and Shapes.”

• Rotate: With InDesign CS5, you no longer have to switch to the Rotate tool to rotate a selected object. By positioning the Selection tool cursor just outside a selected object’s corner handle, you can click and drag to rotate it. You can learn more about rotating objects in Chapter 6, “Working with Objects.”

• Transform Multiple Selected Objects: You no longer have to group multiple selected objects before transforming them simultaneously. You can learn more about transforming multiple selected objects in Chapter 6, “Working with Objects.”

• Gap Tool: The Gap tool enables you to adjust the whitespace between two or more objects quickly and easily. You can learn more about working with the Gap tool in Chapter 6: “Working with Objects.”

• Paragraphs That Span or Split Columns: InDesign CS5 enables you to create paragraphs that span or split columns within a single text frame. You can learn more about this feature in Chapter 8, “Formatting Text.”

• Live Corner Effects: InDesign CS5 enables you to apply a different corner effect and corner radius to each corner of an object by clicking the yellow square icon that appears in the upper-right corner of a selected frame. You can learn more about this feature in Chapter 5, “Working with Frames and Shapes.”

• Swatches in Control Panel: With InDesign CS5, you can apply swatches to objects directly from the Control panel. You can learn more about this feature in Chapter 5, “Working with Frames and Shapes.”

• Grid Place Enhancements: InDesign CS5 enables you to place multiple graphics in a grid format by pressing the arrow keys as you click and drag the loaded place cursor. You can learn more about this feature in Chapter 10, “Working with Graphic Links.”

• Auto Fit: By enabling the new Auto Fit option, you can automatically resize frame contents whenever you resize a frame. You can learn more about this feature in Chapter 5, “Working with Frames and Shapes.”

• Live Captions: With InDesign CS5 you can automatically generate captions based on image metadata. You can learn more about this feature in Chapter 11, “Combining Graphics with Text.”

• Mini Bridge: InDesign CS5 enables you to access the Adobe Bridge application via the Mini Bridge panel. You can use Mini Bridge to navigate through your file system, access project assets, and preview documents without ever having to leave InDesign. You can learn more about working with Mini Bridge in Chapter 10, “Working with Graphic Links.”

Whether it’s faster and easier ways to work with text and placed graphics, better document management options, or the latest interface enhancements, new and previous users alike will benefit from the myriad new features. It won’t take long to realize that InDesign CS5 is the upgrade that users have been waiting years for. Using Adobe InDesign CS5 is your personal guide to understanding these refinements and getting the most out of them.

How This Book Is Organized

This book introduces you to Adobe InDesign and shows you how to get the most out of it. The book tells you what to expect from InDesign and what the program limitations are. Using InDesign CS5 teaches you how to create layout documents, how to work with pages, objects, text, and styles, and how to use the new features that come with InDesign CS5. Using InDesign CS5 offers you the following:

• It shows you the benefits of working with master pages and styles.

• It gives you enough background on InDesign CS5 to manage InDesign documents and output your layouts successfully.

• It focuses on integration with the other applications in the Creative Suite, such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and Bridge.

• It details all the available features in Adobe InDesign CS5.

• It explains key concepts for novice users.

• It offers real-world examples you can relate to.

Using This Book

This book enables you to customize your own learning experience. The step-by-step instructions in the book give you a solid foundation in using Adobe InDesign CS5, while rich and varied online content, including video tutorials and audio sidebars, provide the following:

• Demonstrations of step-by-step tasks covered in the book

• Additional tips or information on a topic

• Practical advice and suggestions

• Directions for more advanced tasks not covered in the book

Here’s a quick look at a few structural features designed to help you get the most out of this book.

• Chapter objective: At the beginning of each chapter is a brief summary of topics addressed in that chapter. This objective enables you to quickly see what is covered in the chapter.

Special Features

More than just a book, your USING product integrates step-by-step video tutorials and valuable audio sidebars delivered through the Free Web Edition that comes with every USING book. For the price of the book, you get online access anywhere with a web connection—no books to carry, content is updated as the technology changes, and you get the benefit of video and audio learning.

About the USING Web Edition

The Web Edition of every USING book is powered by Safari Books Online, enabling you to access the video tutorials and valuable audio sidebars. Plus, you can search the contents of the book, highlight text and attach a note to that text, print your notes and highlights in a custom summary, and cut and paste directly from Safari Books Online.

To register this product and gain access to the Free Web Edition and the audio and video files, go to quepublishing.com/using.