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General discussion

Adobe In-Design

Aug 4, 2005 3:15PM PDT

Our publishing company in Taxachusetts may be adopting In-Design, plus some other software to streamline our production from many offices. All phases of publishing from design to direct-to-plate software and printing.
My questions are:
? Learning curve. How long for seasoned pros? We all know Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat. PageMaker no.
? We all want Adobe Pro Acrobat. Just that part of the package is worth GOLD! So many of our customers send us PDF files that are really fouled-up: Oversized, fonts not embedded, files saved from Microsoft, Photoshop, all kinds of ways generating PDF files. Right now we open a screwed-up PDF through Photoshop V6 and save the file as an EPS with flattened image. Wish that more knew of how to create a good PDF through their Pit-Stop software.
? Really better than Quark? If so, key points.
? Why would a large publisher switch to In-Design? Overall costs up up-grading? Better product software?

I wanted to hear from the Graphic's group who have knowledge using it on a day-to-day basis.

Bob Proffitt, do you want to cross-post to the Publishing Forum also?
Thanks,

Kevin

Discussion is locked

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eMAC G-4 10.3.4 system
Aug 13, 2005 12:18AM PDT

No have problem i'need information
installer dvd-burd inside is problem

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eMac G4
Aug 13, 2005 11:48AM PDT

Please post back and tell us your exact problems. I do not know where to direct you t

Bob Proffitt, This post from bolivarbolaros is right up your alley

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I can't tell you much...
Aug 29, 2005 12:38PM PDT

right now Kevin, except for the fact that I just started taking a class in the fundamentals of INDESIGN CS. The interface is the same as photoshop and illustrator (same pallet designs and many of the same tools from the tool bar) and the instructor said that Adobe decided to make Indesign cross program capable for commercial users. In other words buy the CS suite if you are already a user of Photoshop and/or Illustrator and you are supposed to feel comfortable right off the bat.

I never needed to use Quark or any other layout/publishing program as I was always on the art and sales end of the biz. I just started evening classes for a 2 year a.s.t degree in internet publishing to expand my capabilities and this seems the way the college says things are going... but then again, who knows what incentives Adobe may be tossing to colleges and universities to go with Indesign.

Still, from a commercial standpoint of a small business that already uses Photoshop and Illustrator, a layout program that syncs right up to your regular tools has great appeal !

As I develop an opinion I'll post more.

grim

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I can't tell you much?
Aug 30, 2005 1:20PM PDT

Grim, Thanks for your post. I was getting lonely since August 4th. Not your fault!
Our company will be going to InDesign the first of the year.
I already know Photoshop and Illustrator. That part will be good for me to get clued in on the CS version.
The pagemaker program from Micromedia will be a little strange for me at first. I have used it before. Preferred Quark for many years. Kind of second nature for me to use right now.
Same as you in sales. Once you know, there you are! Knowledgeable. And, a professional.
Grim, you could sell for Sports Illustrated.
You would probably not want to sell for iVillage though. Unless you feel?etc.

Adobe Acrobat Pro is one area we are all looking forward to making the switch to InDesign.
Quark is really on a sales campaign right now in order to retain their customer base by offering some decent discounts to upgrade.
So is Adobe. With incentives to business, education and others. Wish I could give you a link here. (PRESS HERE sort of thing.)
Adobe never did get back to me with their incentives for reporting Adobe Pirates, other than 'We will get back to you." Not holding my breath on that one. (Posted on the Graphic Forum last month)

Grim, Please post from time to time on what you are learning with InDesign as you go. You could start a new link with InDesign tips.
You could do a new lesson format, with questions and answers posted. I for one would like that.

Wonder why there are not pros posting to InDesign questions on the Graphics or Publishing Forums? Hmmm!?

Daniweb and About.com have very active forums pertaining to graphics. Really good stuff there. I prefer the CNET group. A lot friendlier when you start to know the Mods here.

Grim, DAWN just came up to MARBLEHEAD! (Me)
What is wrong with CNET for not having an InDesign learning class. Same as their other classes, such as Photoshop 7CS.
Pass this idea on to Lee Koos for us.
InDesign is up and coming.
One of my co-workers told me if a designer knows InDesign, you can just about write your own ticket for salary! True? Find out from your instructors.

Adobe.com has InDesign (Full Version) as a Free download to try out. The only thing that you cannot do is to save files with the try-out version.

Looking forward to see your class notes if you want to post. Would be an interesting post.

-Kevin

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Tell us more
Sep 20, 2005 3:14PM PDT

Grim, Not to bug you. Anything new with InDesign from your classes?

-Kevin

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Nothing musc to say...
Sep 21, 2005 12:22AM PDT

We are just chugging along... I'm kinda frustrated with the whole class structure. We sit down and turn to the days chapter, and do the exercises as the instructor stands at the front of the class and continuously pulls our attention away to show some obscure palette in a drop down menu. Sadly, I've learned to ignore her as dividing my attention between the activity and her constant kibitzing confuses me and prevents me from getting the in-class assignments done.

I'm in my 40s and my ability to multitask is low... as I get frustrated my blood pressure gets high... and I've hurt my neck because the textbook print is too small and I've found I need bifocals ! If it wasn't for my two new eighteen year old girlfriends I'd probably hate the whole experience. lol

The only real complaint I have is the lack of explaining WHY we do things. We find out HOW to do Drop Caps but what makes for the most aesthetically pleasing effect ? We learn about Leading and Kerning but WHEN is it appropriate to adjust ? So far it's a technical class that teaches the program but gives no design or layout principles... Thats the difference between someone who knows the program and someone whose GOOD with the program ! I don't expect much of this out of an entry level class but even 20 minutes covering out of a 3 hour weekly class would be appropriate IMO.

grim

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More to learn from the Adobe tutorials?
Sep 22, 2005 2:17PM PDT

?than from your classes it seems.
Try the tutorials from Adobe and see what you can do on your own. You may be pleasantly surprised on what you can do and learn from these tutorials. Sure beats a dull instructor any-time! Download the try-out program and work with it if you do not have the program already on your laptop.
Bad news for me today. Our company is going to stay with Quark and in January will have Quark V6. Bummer for me because we will still be left with a ten year old Adobe Photoshop V3.2 program. Life in the slow-zone.

Grim, I still want to hear from you and your schooling efforts.
Here is an interesting fact for Massachusetts residents: Any resident of MA can attend any State run University at age 65 and older for FREE!
WOW! Time for me to sign up with U-MASS BOSTON!
One catch. There has to be an opening available.

Grim, you cannot apply because you are in-between the young Jocks and old farts! :