Automation
Episode 9: Automating Layouts with the EasyCatalog Plug-in for InDesign (Part 3)
July 14, 2009
In Episode 7, I introduced EasyCatalog. In Episode 8, I demonstrated how to use EasyCatalog to import data into InDesign and configure it. In this episode, I show you how to create a catalog template from start to finish. I start by creating the product style, which is a prototype of a typical product in the catalog. Then I test pagination by dragging data from the Data panel to the product style. This important step ensures that the product style works correctly. Once I finish testing, I finalize the template and test again by paginating multiple products at once. Along the way, I share a wealth of tips and tricks that make the template creation process faster and easier.
After watching this episode, you might want to practice creating the catalog template yourself. After becoming a member, you'll be able to download the practice files.…
Read MorePosted in Automation, Plug-ins, Video Podcasts
Episode 8: Automating Layouts with the EasyCatalog Plug-in for InDesign (Part 2)
July 03, 2009
In Episode 7, I introduced you to the amazing capabilities of EasyCatalog. Now I'd like to show you how to create a template that automates the production of a product catalog. Originally, this episode was going to demonstrate the entire process from start to finish, but I quickly discovered that there just wasn't enough time in one episode to teach you everything. So I've created a third part, which will be covered in Episode 9.
In this episode, I demonstrate the first two steps involved in creating the template. I start by studying the mock-up layout, which is a sample layout that represents the size, arrangement, and formatting of every element to be included in the publication. Then I show you how to use EasyCatalog to import the data for the catalog and configure it. EasyCatalog gives you complete control over the formatting and organization of your data. This episode highlights the most important features and demonstrates different ways to organize the imported data. In Episode 9, I'll show you how to finish building the template.…
Read MorePosted in Automation, Plug-ins, Video Podcasts
Episode 7: Automating Layouts with the EasyCatalog Plug-in for InDesign (Part 1)
June 20, 2009
I've been using and teaching EasyCatalog for the past four years and I'm still amazed at how powerful and easy it is to use. This amazing plug-in allows you to publish content directly from a database or a spreadsheet into InDesign and it makes it easy to keep all of your information up-to-date. You don't even need any programming or scripting skills!
This episode introduces you to EasyCatalog. I first automate the production of a product catalog and then I demonstrate how the same data can be used to automate a price list. But EasyCatalog isn't limited to producing catalogs and price lists. The plug-in can also be used to automate the production of brochures, directories, product sheets, and more.…
Read MorePosted in Automation, Plug-ins, Video Podcasts
Episode 4: Creating an Automatic Numbered List
August 31, 2008
Numbered lists provide an excellent way to organize information, but producing them can be demanding work. Thanks to InDesign, you can entirely automate the list creation process.
This episode teaches you how to use the Bullets and Numbering feature to create a complex multilevel numbered list. You'll also learn to create a series of paragraph styles that can be used together to automatically number and format the list. If you produce technical manuals or textbooks, you definitely want to check out this episode.…
Read MorePosted in Text, Style Sheets, Automation, Video Podcasts
Episode 3: Creating a Basic XML-ready Template
July 07, 2008
If you've been using InDesign for a while, chances are you've heard at least some of the buzz surrounding XML. It seems that everyone is using it lately. Web developers, database developers, programmers, scientists, and even desktop publishers are taking advantage of XML.
What is this "magic" that XML seems to have? Should you care about it? Well, with all the hype going around, you can't afford to ignore XML any longer. In my opinion, every graphic designer should have at least a basic understanding of what XML is and how you can work with it in Adobe InDesign. This episode is designed to introduce you to the world of XML and show you how to create an XML-ready template that automates the production of a set of business cards.…
Read MorePosted in XML, Automation, Video Podcasts
Episode 2: Automating a Catalog with Data Merge
May 21, 2008
What do Data Merge, an Excel spreadsheet, the Running Header text variable, the section marker, and Layout Adjustment all have in common? They are just a handful of InDesign tools that can be combined together to create a powerful page production machine. Watch this episode to learn how you can use these five tools to design a template that automates the layout of a product catalog.…
Read MorePosted in Data Merge, Automation, Text Variables, Layout, Video Podcasts
Episode 1: Combining Style Sheets to Automate Formatting
April 23, 2008
I'm pleased to bring you the first episode of the Instant InDesign Video Podcast. Choosing the first topic wasn't easy since InDesign has so many great features. I decided to talk about style sheets since they are a core feature of just about every template.
If you haven't ventured far beyond the basic use of paragraph and character styles, you'll be impressed by InDesign's ability to combine multiple types of style sheets into a magic button that can apply several levels of formatting in just one click of the mouse.…
Read MorePosted in Automation, Style Sheets, Video Podcasts
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