As most InDesign projects contain multiple elements, it’s normal practice to create a new folder [root folder] and save all the elements [images, audio,video] into it.

By default, InDesign only ‘links’ elements. This means that it isn’t ‘embedded’ and if the element is moved from it’s original location, InDesign will not find it, and all that will print is a ‘screengrab’ [poor quality version].

You can always ‘relink’ elements, but that’s an extra step.

InDesign has an option known as PACKAGE, which collates all the elements: audio, video, Pantone colours, fonts and a copy of the InDesign file, into a folder.

This is known as a ‘press-ready’ folder.

Thus, if you place elements from various locations around your computer into InDesign, Package sorts it for you.

This mains that you don’t have to follow the method on the left, only remember to Package your project.

The Root Folder Method A

The Selection Tool

Method B

Concentrating on the first two tools in the Tools palette.

The Black Arrow on the left is the Selection Tool.

It lets you select graphics and text and work with an object using it’s bounding box. It selects the whole object.

The White arrow on the right is the Direct Selection Tool.

It lets you work with the content of a Text or Image frame.

If you mess up, Right-click and searchfor FITTING halfway down.

Choose FIT CONTENT PROPORTIONATELY.

Adobe InDesign[boris barker 2015]

Start a new document

Create a new document, completing the New Document box as you would any form.

To add an object you ‘place’ it.

The more common formats that InDesign can place are PSD, TIFF,JPG, PDF, PNG and Word Documents.

Text

Click on the Text tool.

Left-click and drag the Cursor to designate a rectangle. This will be the area/box into which your text will appear.

You can copy/paste from a Word document into InDesign [or place the entire document].

With PDFs containing multiple pages, you will need to select the IMPORT OPTION in the Place window [bottom left].

Should you want to set up any generic elements to appear on each page, the MASTER PAGES is where you’ll do this.

ie Anything placed on a Master Page will appear on every normal page.

Go to the PAGES PANEL and double-click on the A-MASTER.

Should you want to modify the Master page/s, simply double-click on the Master Page in the Pages Panel.

Master Pages

Go to File > Place. Find an object and select it and click OK. A thumbnail of the object will appear.

Left-click AND HOLD... drag the cursor to designate the size of the ‘holding box’ and release the mouse.

Your object will be placed, correctly proportioned, with in the box.

This can be moved around with the Right Selection Tool.

[The Left Selection tool will move the object INSIDE the frame].

Placing an Object

Saving your work can be as simple as:FILE > SAVE.

Note that if you have an earlier version of InDesign at home, then Save AS: InDesign CS4 or later.

If you want a PDF, this needs to be EXPORTED via FILE > EXPORT.

InDesign can also be exported as a Shockwave Flash File [Flash].

Both PDF and Flash exports can be ‘interactive’ with links that you’ve added.

A veruy useful option, mentioned on the first page, is PACKAGE.

This puts all of your resources [objects, fonts, Pantone colours and the InDesign file, into one folder for a high street printer.

This is known as ‘Press Ready’.

It’s also a very useful way of slimming down your project and ensuring that all the used files are in one place.

Package

FILE > PACKAGE

Printing Instructions: Here you can add any information for the printer.

There’s also an area for specific instructions to be written, which is handy if a special printing technique is to be used.

After clicking Continue, a Package Publication window will appear. Here you choose the location for the completed folder.

Saving

Notes

To Place an object: Ctrl + D

To resize an object/box: right-click, look for FITTING and choose the most appropriate one;usually FIT CONTENT PROPORTIONATELY.

Pressing W will hide/show the guides.

Pressing SHIFT & W will give a Presentation view [ESC to return to a normal view].

Draw multiple Rectangle frames [or other shapes] and PLACE multiple objects from the resultant ‘pile’.

Select a few items and group them via OBJECT > GROUP [OBJECT > UNGROUP].

Select the first object and press/hold the Shift key to add to my selection.

Type Tool

Click and drag to designate a ‘holding’ box.

Once inputted, type is corrected via the two Menu Bars along the top.

To fill a box with Mock text - TYPE > FILL WITH PLACEHOLDER TEXT.

If you want to print a booklet from your document, then choose PRINT BOOKLET.

With many printers, you need to select Short Edge in the Finishing Panel. With others, you choose TWO-UP SADDLE STITCH.