Hot Adobe InDesign How-Tos

How To: Use PDF & print presets with InDesign CS2

At the end of the day it’s all about what we get OUT of InDesign that matters. Whether you’re printing proofs to your printer or exporting to PDF, you have specific settings for your environment. In this video you’ll learn to take advantage of InDesign’s Presets to streamline your daily output.

How To: Use libraries and snippets in InDesign CS2

Libraries have been used in page layout applications for years. InDesign CS2 has one of the best implementations of Libraries, however, InDesign CS2 also introduces Snippets. In this episode Terry White will show you the ins and outs of both and let you decide which one is best

How To: Use eyedropper tool with InDesign CS2

InDesign's Eye Dropper Tool offers more than meets the eye. With InDesign CS2 you can sample just about anything thing and re-apply it over and over again. In this video we'll learn how to sample colors from images and apply those colors to text, and we'll also see a neat trick that allows you to sample frame attributes and apply them to other frames.

How To: Take advantage of OpenType with InDesign

OpenType fonts are the new standard! Any new fonts you buy today will most likely be in OpenType format and the beauty is that InDesign CS2 takes complete advantage of them. In this video you'll see how to unlock the power of the OpenType fonts you already have!

How To: Make images fit with InDesign CS2

Every time you place an image in InDesign, chances are you have to execute a fitting command to make it fit in the frame or area that you specified. In this video of the Creative Suite Podcast Terry White will show you ways to do it most efficiently. You’ll also see how to better integrate the Bridge into your workflow.

How To: Set pagination in InDesign CS3

Are you tired of manually number you pages in InDesign CS3? This video shows you how to automatically number pages and chapters in multiple InDesign documents. Check out this cool video by David Blatner. Set pagination in InDesign CS3.

How To: Create a table of contents using InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to create and update a table of contents for one or more documents in InDesign. You learn how to manage formatting options and how to hide text that needs to appear in a table of contents but not on the referenced document page. Check out this cool video from David Blatner now! Create a table of contents using InDesign CS3.

How To: Create footnotes using InDesign CS3

Creating footnotes could be troublesome. But not in InDesign CS3. This video shows you how to insert footnotes in InDesign, including how to manage options for numbering, formatting, and layout. Create footnotes using InDesign CS3.

How To: Set opacity with InDesign CS3

Want more control of your transparencies? This video shows you how to apply independent opacity settings for objects, fills, strokes, and text in InDesign. Check out this video by Anne-Marie Concepcion now! Set opacity with InDesign CS3.

How To: Apply opacity effects with InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to apply opacity effects to an object in InDesign, such as drop shadow, directional feather, and gradient feather. You learn how to separately control the opacities of stroke, fill, and text in an object, and create an object style from you transparency effect. Apply opacity effects with InDesign CS3.

How To: Use table styles in InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to create and apply table styles and cell styles, which are new features of InDesign CS3. This is great because it allows you to save all your hard work as a table template that you can use again. Use table styles in InDesign CS3.

How To: Place images in tables using InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to place an image into a table cell in InDesign. It also explains what to do if the image doesn't fit in the cell on the first try. Place images in tables using InDesign CS3.

How To: Add headers and footers to tables in InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to create, edit, and delete header rows and footer rows in a table in InDesign. The exercise files in this tutorial use special fonts, including Memphis LT Std Bold and Bell Gothic Std Light. If you do not have these fonts installed on your computer, please substitute them with a font of your choice. Add headers and footers to tables in InDesign CS3.

How To: Create and format tables in InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to organize information in an InDesign table. You learn how to select parts of a table, control the table layout, select and format text in a table, and manage table options (such as borders, fills, headers, and footers). Check out this video by Anne-Marie Concepcion now! Create and format tables in InDesign CS3.

How To: Use the Find/Change command in InDesign

This video shows you how to use the InDesign Find/Change command. You learn how to search for characters and formats in text, and search for attributes and effects in objects, glyphs, and patterns. You also learn how to save a search to reuse later. Use the Find/Change command in InDesign.

How To: Use the Text Wrap panel with InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to use the Text Wrap panel to make text automatically flow around pictures or other objects in InDesign. You also learn how to control the way text on document pages interacts with items on master pages. Check out this cool video created by David Blatner now! Use the Text Wrap panel with InDesign CS3.

How To: Create running headers and footers in InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to use the new variables feature in InDesign to create running headers and footers. The exercise files in this tutorial use special fonts, including Memphis LT Std Bold and Bell Gothic Std Light. If you do not have these fonts installed on your computer, please substitute them with a font of your choice . Create running headers and footers in InDesign CS3.

How To: Create bullets and numbering in InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to create bulleted and numbered lists in InDesign. You learn how to customize bullets, save bullet formatting as a character style, and control bullet and number position. You also learn how to create and format sublists, create a numbered list as a paragraph style, and number items sequentially across text frames or multiple documents in a book. Create bullets and numbering in InDesign CS3.

How To: Format text with InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to control character and paragraph formatting using the Control panel in InDesign. You learn how to save specific formatting as a style, set optical margin alignment, and create even spacing throughout a paragraph. David Blatner talks pretty fast so be ready to pay attention. Format text with InDesign CS3.

How To: Use layers in InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to use layers in InDesign to organize and control overlapping objects. You learn how to create layers, put objects on layers, and manage layer options. Check out this video created by David Blatner now! Use layers in InDesign CS3.

How To: Work with anchored objects in InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to insert anchored objects into an InDesign text frame. You learn how objects retain their position relative to the surrounding text, even as you edit that text. Check out this cool video created by Anne-Marie Concepcion now! Work with anchored objects in InDesign CS3.

How To: Work with objects in InDesign CS3

Objects are important building blocks in InDesign. This video shows you how to create and manage the four basic types of objects in InDesign: filled shapes, graphics frames, text frames, and vector graphics. Check out this video created by Anne-Marie Concepcion now! Work with objects in InDesign CS3.

How To: Set up a new document with InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to create a new document in InDesign, specify values for document features (including bleed and slug), and save a set of values as a document preset. You also learn how to navigate using the Pages panel. Set up a new document with InDesign CS3.

How To: Use keyboard shortcuts in InDesign CS3

This video demonstrates keyboard shortcuts for frequently-used tools in InDesign, as well as the basic uses of those tools. You learn how to use Quick Apply to style text and images, or to apply menu commands. Watch this video, and start learning from the expert now! Use keyboard shortcuts in InDesign CS3.

How To: Customize the workspace in InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to use and organize panels, customize keyboard shortcuts, customize menus, and use workspaces in InDesign. You also learn about new features in InDesign CS3 by using the workspaces called "New And Improved In CS3". Check out this video created by Colin Fleming now! Customize the workspace in InDesign CS3.

How To: Create an index in InDesign CS3

One of the easiest ways to allow readers to search through your documents is by using an index. This video shows you how to create an index for a document in InDesign, and how to manage formatting options. Check out this cool video created by David Blatner now! Create an index in InDesign CS3.

How To: Work with master pages in InDesign CS3

What is a master page, and how is it used? This video shows you new features of master pages in InDesign, including the ability to override master page items, and text wrap on a master page. Check out this how-to video created by Colin Fleming now! Work with master pages in InDesign CS3.

How To: Synchronize master pages in InDesign CS3

This video shows you how to synchronize master pages, styles, and swatches in InDesign. This will help you maintain a consistent look and feel across different documents. Check out this cool video created by David Blatner now! Synchronize master pages in InDesign CS3.

How To: Design websites with InDesign and export to XHTML

This video shows you how to design a website with InDesign, export the content as XHTML, and then open the XHTML file in Dreaweaver. You learn how to set up XHTML export options in InDesign to effectively export your work, and how to create styles in Dreamweaever. Check out this video created by Lynn Grillo now! Design websites with InDesign and export to XHTML.

How To: Add single and double page spreads in InDesign CS2

In this InDesign video tutorial you will learn to add single & double page spreads. Learn also how to delete and reorder pages. All you need to do is to click and drag! Add single and double page spreads in InDesign CS2.

How To: Add auto page numbering in InDesign CS2

Numbering hundreds of pages manually is the least thing you want to do, especially if you are using desktop publishing software like InDesign. In this InDesign CS2 video tutorial you will learn to add auto page numbering. The example shows you how to create a 10-page document, and edit the master pages. Add auto page numbering in InDesign CS2.

How To: Edit a Photoshop clipping path in InDesign CS2

In this InDesign video tutorial you will learn to adjust a clipping path in the image you have created in Photoshop. One thing to remember is to export the image with its layers. If not, you won't be able to import the clipping path into InDesign. Edit a Photoshop clipping path in InDesign CS2.

How To: Link text boxes in InDesign CS2

In this InDesign video tutorial you will learn to link text boxes to let the content flow between the boxes. This is a nice trick to let you have a better control over your text on a page. Experiment with different box sizes to get the effect you want! Link text boxes in InDesign CS2.

How To: Use InDesign tables

Now you can create really sophisticated tables in InDesign CS2. Your tables can contain text or graphics and best of all they can be created dynamically by importing tables from Microsoft Word or Excel. In this video you’ll see how to create tables from scratch as well as how to create them in Excel.

How To: Use Compound Paths in InDesign CS2

One of the graphic features Adobe InDesign borrows from Adobe Illustrator is Compound Paths. In this episode Terry White will show you how to take advantage of Compound Paths to create an effect of looking through window panes into an image. This tip comes from Terry's team member Colin Fleming.

How To: Type on a path with a new twist in InDesign CS2

inDesign has some hidden special effects that will make your type on a path much more compelling. Granted Type on a Path is not a new concept and has been around in Illustrator for years. However, no other application out there can handle Type on a Path as well as InDesign CS2.

How To: Use transparency effects in InDesign CS3

In this NEW CS3 version, InDesign's transparency effects become even more powerful. InDesign borrows some of our most favorite effects from Photoshop. In this episode we'll take a look at the new Effects Panel.

How To: Import content into InDesign

This video shows you how to import content from Word, Excel, Photoshop, and PDF files into InDesign. It also shows you how to use techniques such as multi-file placement, quick apply, and double-click to fit. Import content into InDesign.