Adobe programs work together without having to navigate between differing brands of design software. For publications of any kind, Adobe Creative Suite (CS) includes programs that can tackle one part of your project at a time and pull it all together in a single document. Images can be sized in Photoshop, converted into line drawings in Illustrator and included within a book layout in InDesign, for example. The options with Adobe CS allow you to pull from Microsoft programs, as well, to minimize cutting and pasting.
- Open the Adobe Creative Suite programs. In InDesign, choose “File,” and in the drop-down menu click “New” and then “Document” or “Book” (depending on the size of your project) and set the parameters, including margins, single or facing pages, orientation, number of columns and gutter width, and whether you want to set a master page or text frame.
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Step 2
Using the Type Tool, on the toolbar, draw out your text boxes. A blinking cursor will appear to begin typing. You can also import text from a Microsoft Word document by going to the File menu and choosing “Place.” A dialog box will open allowing you to choose the document your wish to import. Double-click on the document, and return to InDesign.
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Step 3
Format the text you just imported using the tools under the “Type” or “Text” menu, depending on which version of Adobe Creative Suite you are using. You can also change the size of the text box by clicking on the black arrow cursor on the toolbar. Under the “Window” menu, make sure “Color” is checked to open the color palette box if you plan to use color text.
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Step 4
Use the Rectangle Frame Tool on the toolbar to draw out areas for photos or other graphic elements. You will see an X inside the graphic boxes to distinguish them from text boxes.
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Step 5
Under the “File” menu, choose “Place” and double-click a graphic from the dialog box and return to InDesign. The graphic you chose is placed in the graphic box. Use the “Object” menu to transform, or right-click on the image for easy fit options. You can also right-click and choose “Edit Original” to open your graphic in its original program, such as PhotoShop or Illustrator. This allows you to make alterations. InDesign will automatically update the graphic.
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Step 6
Name your document, and save your work when you are finished by clicking “File” and “Save As.” If everything is as you want, go to “File” and click on “Package.” This will pull all your fonts and graphics into one folder and alert you to any possible compatibility issues.
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Step 7
Print your document according to your printer’s settings from InDesign, or choose another publishing option from the “File” menu, such as “Export as PDF” or “Export as HTML” for Web publication.