WELCOME!
Thank you for joining us for this workshop! We highly recommend that you have InDesign installed and download the workshop asset files!
Agenda
All demo files used are available for download in the Workshop Assets Folder
Click here for Additional Resources
Main Keyboard Shortcuts
- V - Selection Tool
- T - Type Tool
- F - Rectangle Frame Tool
- M - Rectangle Shape Tool
- CMD/CTRL +/-/0 - Zoom in/out/fit to screen
- Spacebar - Pan Tool
File organization
We highly recommend have your design assets (images, graphics, text) in a folder along with your file to avoid losing anything. InDesign uses images by linking to them-- this means that when you drop a graphic in your layout, the application will point to the location of that file in your finder/explorer.
If you move linked files, they will no longer be displayed in your design until you tell InDesign their new location.
EMBED A FILE
You can embed a file (store in the document) to avoid linking issues by selecting an image, view the properties panel, and clicking the "Embed" button.
FRAMES
Your project in InDesign will be composed of frames. In short, a frame represents a designated space for text, graphics, or shapes.
Frames are versatile and overlap in their functions, if you make a shape frame you can still add an image or text to it, and if you make a text frame you can still give a color fill like a shape!
TEXT FRAME
To create a text frame, select the type tool (keyboard shortcut "T"). Click and drag to create you frame. You can resize the frame using the selection tool ( "V"). Text frames can have a fill and border but cannot have images placed inside them.
IMAGE FRAME TOOL
These frames are meant to designate space that will be filled with visuals-- photographs, illustrations, and graphics. You place images inside them by dragging and dropping a file into the frame. If you would rather place text with the frame, select the type tool and click to type inside!
SHAPE TOOL
These frames are usually dedicated shapes with a fill. You can add text to them with the type tool or place a text frame within them. You can also drag and drop images into them as you would an image frame.
MAKING A LAYOUT
Creating a layout for your content before you begin assemblying will help you create high quality work more efficiently. You will use text, image, and shape frames to create your layout.
Create type frames with titles or filler text
Quickly create columns and grids
With any frame tool selected:
Create Shapes with fills for titles
- Use the Rectangle Tool (M) to draw the space for your title
- Switch to the Type Tool (T) and click in the shape to add text. Style your text as desired.
- Switch to the Selection Tool (V) and right-click on the shape. Select "Text Frame Options..." to find the vertical justification
Wrapping
Wrapping describes how text behaves in relationship to objects. Place an image or shape on top of the text and go to Window> "Text Wrap" to explore the wrapping options.
ADDING TABLES
There are two ways to create tables
1. With no frames selected, Go to Table> "Create Table" and select your options. After clicking okay, you will click and drag to decide the size of the table.
2. With a type frame selected, Go to Table> "Insert Table" and select your options. After clicking okay, The table will fill your type frame.
Save as a template
Saving as a template lets you reuse templates without the risk of changing the original. When you open a template, InDesign creates an untitled document with the layout from the templay.
Adding Text
To add text from an existing document, you can go to File>Place and find you file. If you do this while a frame is selected the text will be placed inside the from. If there is no frame selected you will click and drag to create a frame for the text.
Threading Text
When your text extends beyond the frame, you will see a red "+" in the lower right side. To thread this text into other frames, you can:
- 1. Click on the "+" and then click on an existing frame
- 2. Click on the "+" and then draw a new frame
Wrapping Text
You can set text to "wrap" around a frame in a specific way. To do so, select the frame you would like the text to wrap around and find the "Text Wrap" section in your properties panel (Go to Window>Text Wrap if you cannot find it).
- Wrap Around Bounding Box: Creates a rectangular wrap whose width and height are determined by the bounding box of the selected object, including any offset distances you specify.
- Wrap Around Object Shape: Also known as contour wrapping, creates a text wrap boundary that is the same shape as the frame you’ve selected (plus or minus any offset distances you specify).
- Wrap Around Bounding Box: Wrap Around Bounding Box setting (left) compared to Wrap Around Object Shape setting (right)b
- Jump Object: Keeps text from appearing in any available space to the right or left of the frame.
- Jump To Next Column: Forces the surrounding paragraph to the top of the next column or text frame.
Adding Images
You add images by "placing" them. First, make sure you have no frames selected. You can do this by dragging and dropping into the document or going to File> "Place...". With either of these two method you can then do the following:
- Click inside a designated frame and mask (only display) the image to that frame.
- Click and drag to create a new frame for the image to be inside
fitting content to frames
When you add an image to frame, it will be masked or "cropped" by the frame you place it in.
- A- Fill Frame Proportionately: Fills the entire frame without stretching the image
- B- Fit Frame Proportionately: Fits the image as big as possible without cropping or stretching the image
- C - Fit Content to Frame: This will stretch the content to fit the frame. Generally not recommended because proportions will be lost.
- D - Fit Frame to Content: Matches the frame the content size
- E - Center Content: Centers the content vertically and horizontally within the frame
- F - Content-Aware Fit: Adobe Sensei AI fits the frame automatically
SHARING/SAVING
Use the share button in the top right to share finished or in-progress projects
- Quick Export as PDF: Create a universally accessible PDF of your project
- Package: Create a folder for publishers with all embedded and associated files
- Share for Review: Create a web link for partners, and stakeholders to comment and provide feedback
- Publish Online: Create a web link for a PDF version of your design
- Export: Open the export dialogue for more saving options