Adobe software is virtually the same on the Mac and PC platforms. When taking this class from one of our locations, it will be taught using PC hardware with Windows software. Minor Mac keyboard and interface differences will be highlighted by the instructor. When taking this course from home or office, students can use either PC or Mac hardware to attach to the hosted Windows-based Adobe software.
OverviewThis class includes a thorough review of the InDesign interface including how to use tools and panels, and how to customize and save workspaces. You will learn how to set up documents and save document presets, and navigate and zoom in and out as needed as you work on layouts.
To create professional layouts in InDesign you must know how to create text frames and graphic frames, and place text content and images. Once you understand these key skills, you will learn to set up more complex documents using master pages, guides, grids and placeholders; and how to add, rearrange and delete pages using the Pages panel. You will also learn how to format text and paragraphs, and how to create and apply Paragraph and Character Styles.
Upon completion of the course, you will understand the correct use of different color modes, how to apply color to design elements, create custom colors, and work with swatches and gradients. Other important core skills include how to find and change missing fonts, check spelling and work with graphic objects.
Finally, you will learn to package InDesign projects to send to a printer, creating one final .zip file. You will also learn to create a PDF proof, and export InDesign documents to PDF format, understanding different types of PDFs and how to use PDF presets.
Version Note
Our Creative Cloud classes upgrade to the latest CC version as soon as new training materials are released from Adobe. Typically new content is available within 2 to 4 months of a software release.
Preparing for Certification
Our Adobe classes use "Official Training Workbooks from Adobe" which are in alignment with the Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) exams. For individuals seeking certification, we offer Certification Bundles which include training, practice exams, certification study guides, and test vouchers--everything that you will need to successfully obtain Adobe certification.
Target Student
This course is appropriate for beginners and for anyone who is self taught on the basics of InDesign. Quite often even experienced users find they benefit from a Core Skills: Level 1 class to fill in the gaps in their knowledge.
Prerequisites
Basic computer and file management skills are required for Core Skills level Adobe courses. Students should know how to - locate, copy and open files; create folders; arrange, re-size, minimize and maximize application windows; start and exit programs; manage use of multiple programs simultaneously; and switch between open programs.
Course Outline
Introducing the Workspace
- Getting started
- Looking at the workspace
- Working with panels
- Customizing the workspace
- Navigating through a document
- Using context menus
- Using panel menus
- Modifying interface preferences
- Exploring on your own
Getting to Know InDesign
- Getting started
- Viewing guides
- Preflighting as you work
- Adding text
- Working with styles
- Working with graphics
- Working with objects
- Working with object styles
- Viewing the document in Presentation mode
- Exploring on your own
Setting up a Document and Working with Pages
- Getting started
- Creating and saving custom document settings
- Creating a new document
- Switching between open InDesign documents
- Working with master pages
- Applying master pages to document pages
- Adding new document pages
- Rearranging and deleting document pages
- Changing the size of pages
- Adding sections to change page numbering
- Overriding master page items and placing text and graphics
- Printing to the edge of the paper: using the bleed guides
- Viewing the completed spread
- Exploring on your own
Working with Objects
- Getting started
- Working with layers
- Creating and modifying text frames
- Creating and modifying graphics frames
- Wrapping text around a graphic
- Transforming and aligning objects
- Selecting and modifying grouped objects
- Drawing lines and modifying arrowheads
- Finishing up
- Exploring on your own
Flowing Text- Getting started
- Flowing text into an existing frame
- Flowing text manually
- Applying paragraph styles to text
- Adjusting columns
- Adding a jump line page number
- Exploring on your own
Editing Text
- Getting started
- Entering and importing text
- Finding and changing text and formatting
- Checking spelling
- Exploring on your own
Working with Typography
- Getting started
- Adjusting vertical spacing
- Working with fonts, type styles, and glyphs
- Fine-tuning columns
- Changing paragraph alignment
- Creating a drop cap
- Adjusting letter and word spacing
- Adjusting line breaks
- Exploring on your own
Getting Started
- Managing color
- Defining printing requirements
- Creating colors
- Applying colors
- Exploring on your own
Working with Styles
- Getting started
- Creating and applying paragraph styles
- Creating and applying character styles
- Globally updating styles
- Loading styles from another document
- Exploring on your own
Printing and Exporting
- Getting started
- Previewing the page
- Creating an Adobe PDF proof
- Creating a Press-Ready PDF and saving a PDF preset
- Packaging files
- Exploring on your own
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