Johannesburg InDesign User Group Home Meeting Summary Archive

Meeting Summary

Question & Answer
Wed, Dec 2nd, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Morning Star Design Offices
Event Details

We had a great year end final Meeting for 2009!

A big thank you to all those of you who made it to the meeting; once again, it was nice to see some regular faces, and a warm welcome to those of you who are new to this user group. I hope you found the meeting informative and that you plan to come back for more in the new year.

Congratulations!! to Rose O'Connor for winning Design Premium CS4.

Miguel gave a brief discussion on the NCS colour system; for more details, go to www.ncs.com or watch this space for information.

TIP:
To see all your icons in the Control panel, open the fly-off menu of the Main Control Panel, and choose Customize. Then, tick off all of the options! Remember that the screen resolution settings of your computer (e.g., 800x600 or 1024x768) will affect what icons are visible.

Plugins:
- FOLDRite - http://www.foldfactory.com
- Link Optimizer 3.3.8 Zevrix Solutions - www.zevrix.com
- TypeFitter Pro from www.teacupsoftware.com
- PictureXTracker (www.xchangeuk.com) is an essential tool for managing InDesign image files in work environments that involve multiple users that substitute low-resolution images with high-resolution versions at the end of the production process. For more information, email info@thepowerxchange.com.
- Q2ID. To see this plugin in action, watch this YouTube video demonstration:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PcpgkoyCz8

Links:
http://www.creativepro.com/article/webinar-preparing-print
http://fontfeed.com/
http://www.fontbureau.com/
http://www.adobe.com/type/
http://typophile.com/
http://www.foldfactory.com/foldoftheweek.php
http://indesigning.net
http://www.adobe.com/brilliant
http://www/ncs/com
http://kuler.adobe.com
http://www.acrobat.com
http://www.photoshop.com
http://groups.adobe.com/groups/bb53d92175/summary

Twitter (InDesign):
http://twitter.com/CarlaScholtz
http://twitter.com/indesignmag
http://twitter.com/indesignsecrets
http://twitter.com/InDesignTweets
http://twitter.com/amarie
http://twitter.com/dblatner
http://twitter.com/InDesignGuru
http://twitter.com/senecadesign
http://twitter.com/jmvrankin
http://twitter.com/InDesign_GU

Twitter (Other):
http://twitter.com/adobelove
http://twitter.com/lyndadotcom
http://twitter.com/jnack
http://twitter.com/JulianEdward
http://twitter.com/AdobeLR
http://twitter.com/AdobePS
http://twitter.com/Adobe
http://twitter.com/AdobeTV
http://twitter.com/VECTORTUTS
http://twitter.com/InsideAI
http://twitter.com/AdobeTim
http://twitter.com/dekepod
http://twitter.com/peachpittv
http://twitter.com/wFreelance
http://twitter.com/acrotips
http://twitter.com/Photoshop_GU

To Import Multiple Files
File > Place > Select Multiple Files - you can add to the number of files you have already selected by going File > Place > again and choosing more files before actually placing them in your document.

The order in which the files are placed can be changed by pressing either the Up or the Down Arrow key. Pressing the Escape key will remove an image from the cursor icon.

By clicking and dragging out a placement box size, you will place images proportionally in CS4, but in CS3 you would still need to fit the content manually.

(If Smart Guides are switched on in CS4 it will give you the width and height of the other images/objects on the page or the center of the page.)

Holding Ctrl+Shift as you click will place the multiple images in a grid.

Tables

Dependent on the content, table or tab text
• Colours imported from Word or Excel will be RGB
• Explained how to create Named Ranges in Excel to mark off areas for import into InDesign
• Remember: You must trash the RGB colours in the Swatches panel and replace with CMYK

Excel Import Options - if the Show Import Options box is checked:

• Unformatted table – Black only - if this option is chosen, you can make a Table Style when you are in the Excel Import Options dialog box in CS4 (or select a pre-created style in CS3)
• Formatted – all colors etc will import
• Unformatted tabbed text

Rounded corners in tables:

• New Document
• Insert text box
• Table > Insert Table
(You can anchor an object to a word or to the cell)
• Click into a cell
• Create an Anchored Object (Object > Anchored Object > Insert)- NB! Anchored object can only be anchored in a text frame
• Content: choose graphic or unassigned
• Height & Width
• Reference Point - Refers to the image you are attaching to the text box? -(I.e.: Bottom of image to the top of the text box)
• Anchored Position – Where the marker is sitting between your text
• Offset – puts space between the image and the text box
• Alt-drag to get additional anchored object like one just created

To edit the anchored object, choose Object > Anchored Object > Options.

Download the sample files from this meeting at the bottom of this page!
Please Note:The sample files are all attachments to a PDF (due to only being able to upload PDF documents on this site). To use these files, open the PDF and click the attachment icon in the navigation panel (left side of screen, looks like a gem clip). If you are having any problems, kindly email me on johannesburg@indesignusergroup.com and I will gladly assist you.

Thank you

I would once again like to thank Morning Star Design for letting us use their premises and for providing both the refreshments and snacks. I would also like to thank Rose for taking the notes so that I remember what I spoke about.

Job Opportunities

Pretty Mokhomong from Riakona are still looking for a JavaScript Web Designer, with Perl experience, with at least 3 years experience. If you know of anyone that would be interested, please send through their cv’s.

Knowledge of the following is required:
- JavaScript
- Perl
- Action script
- XML, and Schemas

Any knowledge of the following will be an advantage:
- Electronic Forms
- Adobe JavaScript
- Adobe Designer
- Adobe PDF Technology
- Other scripting languages
- Flex
- Flash
- Adobe Air
- Dreamweaver
- AJAX
- Automation Tools

The candidate needs to possess the following personal competencies:
- Good interpersonal skills
- A pro-active approach
- Ability to use own initiative
- Passion and enthusiasm

Our performance incentive scheme pays between 3 and 9 months’ salary as bonus for the top achievers every year. This scheme is purely based on performance of the individual and the company. We provide medical aid via discovery health, with the candidates plan of choice. We require a contribution of between 5% and 15% of gross salary to be contributed to a pension providing vehicle, like an RA for example. We don’t have a company pension plan in place and instead prefer that each individual adopt a plan for their personal needs. We keep our team up to date with the latest development via local and international training.

Our team is very dynamic, highly skilled with an achiever attitude and continuously learning.

For more information contact Pretty on pretty@riakona.co.za

Upcoming Industry Events

If any of you are going to be in Port Elizabeth, the PE IDUG chapter are holding a meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, 16:45 on "What InDesign can do for you!"

For those of you who wish to join the Johannesburg Adobe User Group, kindly register here. Their next meeting will be on Thursday, 21 January 2010 at 18:00. Miguel will be demonstrating Lightroom and showing some useful Photoshop tips & tricks.

On Thursday, 18 February 2010 at 18:00 the Johannesburg User Group will be holding a Flex meeting.

Comments from attendees

John Philip said the meeting was "Enjoyable."

Heather said it was "BRILLIANT!"

Linda thinks that it was "a worthwhile and good evening!"

Deidre says "This was great, so informative! All my questions answered, can't wait for the next!"

Rose says "Thanks for another user group. Great to see new faces and hear the new questions. Awesome as always."

Next Meeting

Our next InDesign User Group meeting will be held on Thursday 18th March 2010 at 18:00.

I will be demonstrating the Foldrite plug-in for InDesign and will be giving away a copy of the plug-in.

See you there!!

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Attached File/s

• uploaded_files_Dec09.pdf  -  Delete...

Photos From This Meeting
Photos are available from this user group meeting.
See the photos