Tuesday 21 March 2017

Reflections on a lecture by Dr Juliet MacDonald, regarding Adobe 'InDesign' application, workshop #2

The initial overview of last week's activities included a recap on
a) a new document
b) outline of the "work spaces" and panels.
              Format of pages/facing pages.
              Panels:-pages, swatches et cetera.
C) Master pages and their manipulation.

Placing images. [File]-Place = puts the [linked file] onto the workspace Artboard (Remember the file needs to be located in the same file system); Use shortcut [command] plus ['D']

Right click and drag the placement box. [The ratio of an image is constrained in this function]
for an alternative method, use [left mouse button] click to position a full-size version onto the page being displayed.

It is possible to make multiple placements by positioning a range of files through the selection of them in the file open dialogue. [File-place-"select"]

When sending a file to an external printers shop for example, use the file package option to send all the images and links embedded within a single file

Working with colour-swatches and colour pallets.

Drawing with text, boxes and paragraphs/tables;
use the [Windows] tab to select all the panels you need on your visible desktop;
 For example, use "object" and "layout" to make alignments and changes to the visual form.
Another useful tool is to select 'smart guides', which allow for a visible interaction through the movement of your mouse cursor.

"Frames"; consider changing the standard frame of a rectangle or square into a polygon as well as star shapes;

Use the shortcut "W" in order to preview your work as your progressing through a design.

To position page numbers onto various selected pages, use the "Master" page and create a text box where you wish to position your page number. Then in the "type" menu, select "special characters" and then "markers" to the current page number. There is a shortcut for these actions which is "[option], [shift], [command] plus [N]"

In academic documents a "running head" can also be installed onto the master page as well as any preformatted text, together with picture boxes, so that all pages have linked formatting, and can display headers, footers and whatever other design on every single page.

In "layout" it is possible to change the page numbering according to the sections and cover pages required.

When installing videos to PDF documents, use [Windows-interactive-media]
Treat videos like images.

Create a frame first that is quite large in order to accommodate the pixel dimensions of the selected video.
Place the video file within the design document. It will create a submenu and video viewer.
Please note however that Adobe InDesign is happy with the '.swf' and also 'Flash' file formats, and sometimes (but not always!)  '.MOV' files from Apple QuickTime as H264 files.
However, remember it is important to edit videos and be careful with compression as InDesign is very fussy about which type of compression is used.

Click on the ["show import options"] to open the media panel within your display area.
The media panel can be used to create a "poster" within the finished document that shows a specific image frame of the video.
Also remember that with videos, only e-PUB (fixed layout) and Adobe PDF (interactive) formats are available. Clearly, it is necessary to only use fixed formats for academic assessments.

Example outputs;



Conclusions;

  • It is also possible to make transitions within PDF documents and it is possible to demonstrate an elaborate set of transitions. However, it is best to do this on an actual verbal presentation rather than trying to incorporate it into the submitted presentation for academic purpose. 
  • Indeed with regards to academic documents it is probably best to avoid transitions I think.
  • A very useful on-site online web resource is the webpage HTTP:/www.indesignsecrets.com
  • Also there is a wealth of information that Adobe's own website under HTTP://www.helpX.adobe.com


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