Overview

InDesign is a desktop publishing program used to create professional layouts for print and digital publishing. It allows users to format documents by positioning text, images, and other objects within each page. The program includes a live preflight option, which helps identify potential printing problems during the design process. InDesign supports PDF and Flash files and can export finished page layouts to several different file formats.

User Interface

InDesign provides a workspace with tool panels and an editing pane that contains a grid for placing and aligning page content. Designers can split the page using the grid and then drag and drop content. InDesign also provides multiple workspace perspectives and a tabbed window feature for navigating between open documents. Designers can store common presets and color settings to increase efficiency when working on multiple documents.

Capabilities

InDesign includes several page design and formatting tools. Each object within the document may be customized and users can scale images and text automatically to fit within guidelines. While editing a document, the Live Preflight feature helps users fix page errors as they arise. InDesign also supports automated cross-references, conditional text, and bullets and numbering across large documents. Users can create their own content or may import data from a database using XML.

InDesign also includes advanced features for creating and editing PDF and Flash files. For example, users can generate both .PDF and .SWF files that may include audio and video, as well as page transitions with wipe, dissolve, or fade effects. InDesign can also be used to create SWF files with buttons and other interactive content. Users can publish InDesign documents as Flash .XFL files and enhance them in Adobe Flash.

User Community

InDesign is used by professional publishers to create prints for several types of publications, such as magazines, books, brochures, and posters. Digital publishers may also use InDesign to create electronic documents, which may be saved in standard PDF or Flash formats. The online InDesign User Group provides users with several InDesign resources and includes a list of upcoming user group meetings and industry events.

Screenshots:

New Document	Document View	Effects
Export File Types	Save As	Preferences

Features:

• Advanced professional page layout design
• Automatic page content generation
• Smart guides for formatting text and images
• Preflighting and print controls
• Support for PDF and Flash export formats

System Requirements:

Mac OS

• Mac OS X 10.6 or 10.7
• Multicore Intel processor
• 1GB RAM
• 2.6GB free disk space
• 1024x768 display with 16-bit video card
• DVD-ROM drive
• Adobe Flash Player 10 to export SWF files
• Broadband Internet connection for online services

Windows

• Windows XP w/ SP3 or Windows 7
• Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 64 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 1.6GB free disk space
• 1024x768 display with 16-bit video card
• DVD-ROM drive
• Adobe Flash Player 10 to export SWF files
• Broadband Internet connection for online services