May. 15, 2009
The evolution of a Snippet starts here…
Libraries are the next step in the evolution of a Snippet. Basically a Library is a placeholder for multiple Snippets. The advantage is they are always at the ready in their own library panel, and you get a preview of the Snippet within the Library panel.
To create a Library go to File > New > Library. A dialogue will appear, you can choose where to save the Library file and also name it accordingly. When done, choose Save. Now a new Library panel will open with the same name you just created.
To add a Snippet to your Library, select the element or elements you want to include as a Snippet, then drag them to the Library panel. Now you have a Snippet saved in your Library. If you want to give it a name rather that leave it call “Untitled”, just double click on the Snippet and rename it within the dialogue that appears. If you want to do this quickly hold down Option/Alt when you drag your page elements into your library panel. Now you can rename them on the fly.
To place a Library Snippet back on your document page simply drag your Snippet from the Library panel to the document page. The Snippet will be placed wherever you drop it. Alternatively you can place the Snippet in the same location that it was in when it was created. To do this accurately you need to make sure the document size is the same as it was when that particular Snippet was created. Then “Right click” or “Control click” on the Snippet and choose “Place Items”. Now the elements are placed in exactly the same position as when they where created.
The library file you create is not document specific, it will remain open for every document you open. If you want an individual library for each job, create a new one with each job and save it in the same location as your Indesign file. Then you need to open the correct Library file depending on the job you’re working on. To open a Library double click it or go to File > Open.
A great advantage of Snippets and Libraries is that you can share or email them off to your colleagues.
For more information on this topic via Adobe help click here.
[Click play to watch video tutorial, will commence once downloaded in full]
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Posted by Neil Oliver in Graphics | No Comments
May. 14, 2009
Reusing graphics and text…
Snippets can save you loads of time, especially when it comes to repetitive elements that you use over and again.
To create a Snippet, all you need to do is select either an individual page element or multiple page elements. For instance, I could select just a logo or I could select a logo and a text frame. Now all you need to do is drag the selected elements to your desktop. I know that may seem strange at first, however now you’ll see a file has been created on your desktop. It should have a file name similar to this: Snippet_3001C897A.idms. You may want to rename it so it has some relevance to what it actually is, especially if you’re going to be creating lots of Snippets.
This Snippet can now be placed bank into any other new or existing document. To place on your page simply drag the Snippet back onto a document page. You could also place the Snippet as you would any other graphic using File > Place.
It may benefit you to go through your jobs and make as many Snippets as is relevant, so you can easily place all sorts of design elements very quickly next time round, instead of having to dig through old archives to find what you’re looking for in the future. You can create a Snippet of as many items as you like. You could even create a Snippet of a complete page.
The best thing about Snippets for me though, is the fact that a Snippet is generally really small in file size, meaning I can email it off to someone on the other side of the world. They then can place that Snippet directly onto their document page.
Any swatches and styles associated to the elements within a Snippet will automatically come into a document when that Snippet is placed on a page.
Two things to be aware of are:
- Snippets created in CS4 aren’t compatible in CS3 by default
- If you create a Snippet of a linked graphic and send that Snippet to someone else, they need to have access to the location of that link in order for it to not appear as missing. If they don’t have access to the link you will need to send it to them and get them to relink to it in the links panel.
For more information on this topic via Adobe help click here.
[Click play to watch video tutorial, will commence once downloaded in full]
Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player.
Posted by Neil Oliver in Graphics | 3 Comments
Mar. 9, 2009
How do you place a particular page of a PDF in InDesign?
When placing a PDF make sure from the “Place” dialogue that you choose “Show Import Options”, it is located at the lower right of the dialogue. Now that “Show Import Options” has been check when you choose “Open” you are confronted with a new “Place PDF” dialogue that allows you to specify the actual page of the PDF you are wanting to place. Once you choose “Ok” you can place that page in your document.
When relinking you can choose the same “Show Import Options” check box from the relink dialogue to relink to another page in the PDF.
Video Instructions (all videos are quicktime movies): 1. Click on the “CLICK HERE TO WATCH TUTORIAL” hyperlink, a new window appears, once the video has downloaded completely (speed varies depending on internet connection) the video will commence. 2. Right click on the “CLICK HERE TO WATCH TUTORIAL” hyperlink and choose “DOWNLOAD LINKED FILE AS” to save the video to your computer. Once downloaded open the .mov file in Quicktime to watch. 3. Subscribe to the creativementor.com.au now Podcast through iTunes.
Posted by Neil Oliver in Graphics | 1 Comment
Jul. 3, 2008
There’s a direct way to edit your graphics in their native applications right from the page
If you’re in the habit of using edit original directly from the links panel or via the contextual menu, you may be interested to know you can do the exact same thing from directly within your page. The trick is to select the graphic with the “Selection Tool”, then hold “Option” on Mac or “Alt” on PC, and then double click the graphic. InDesign then opens the graphic inside its native application.
If you try to select multiple images and try this same trick, it won’t work. Unfortunately it only works for one graphic at a time. Hopefully one day Adobe will add this functionality to InDesign…
Video Instructions (all videos are quicktime movies): 1. Click on the “CLICK HERE TO WATCH TUTORIAL” hyperlink, a new window appears, once the video has downloaded completely (speed varies depending on internet connection) the video will commence. 2. Right click on the “CLICK HERE TO WATCH TUTORIAL” hyperlink and choose “DOWNLOAD LINKED FILE AS” to save the video to your computer. Once downloaded open the .mov file in Quicktime to watch. 3. Subscribe to the creativementor.com.au now Podcast through iTunes.
