Brief introduction to the typesetting tool InDesign

- May 20, 2019-

Brief introduction to the typesetting tool InDesign

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First, overview


For domestic MAC and PC users, the most widely used typesetting software in the prepress design field is Adobe's PageMaker, but this does not mean that PageMaker is the best. Quark's QuarkXPress (used in most European and American countries) and Peking University's FOUNDER's Feiteng (FIT) are superior in performance to PageMaker, but these two softwares are not widely used due to various factors. . For example, Quark has always been focusing on China, so the simplified Chinese MAC version is slow to upgrade, and the PC version is rare; and Founder Feiteng (FIT) is mainly used in conjunction with other software developed by Peking University Founder Group to specialize in newspapers, publishers, etc. Coherent and systematic large objects, and FIT's back-end photo output also has limitations, that is, FIT PS files can only be output on expensive Founder RIP, etc., so ordinary users have to use the upgrade fast and easy to output. But the function does not make the professional satisfied with PageMaker.


Since PageMaker was originally inherited from Aldus by Adobe, its core technology is relatively old, and there are many shortcomings. It is obviously impossible to beat QuarkXPress in the pre-press design field by PageMaker alone, so Adobe has another way in 1999. On September 1st, a more powerful typesetting software was released. As a counter-attack against Quark in the field of typesetting in the past 10 years and fully realized the position of the leader of its desktop publishing system, this innovative typesetting software is InDesign.


Second, InDesign Introduction


Adobe's InDesign is a brand-new software that is positioned in the field of professional typography. Although it debuts late, it is more perfect and mature in function.


InDesign's family of directors draws on the essence of a variety of desktop publishing technologies, such as the highly structured program approach of QuarkXPress and Corel-Ventura (a well-known Corel company's typesetting software) combined with the more natural PageMaker approach. Provides a series of more comprehensive typographic functions for flexible and complex design work such as magazines, books, advertisements, etc. Especially the software is based on an innovative, object-oriented open system (allowing third parties to carry out secondary development and expansion to join functions) ), greatly increasing the ability of professional designers to express their ideas and opinions with typesetting tool software. The function is not inferior to QuarkXPress, and it is more excellent than PageMaker. In addition, Adobe has cooperated with High Technology Group and Kaixuan Technology to develop Chinese InDesign. Integrally expands the requirements of InDesign to adapt to Chinese typesetting habits. The function is directly related to FOUNDER's integrated typesetting software Feiteng (FIT). It can be seen that InDesign is indeed extraordinary.


Third, the advantages of InDesign


The so-called layout design is to arrange the processed text and image graphics through a pleasing arrangement to achieve a prominent theme. Therefore, during the orchestration, word processing is an important part that affects the creative play and work efficiency. Whether it is possible to handle the text flexibly is very important. The superiority of InDesign in this respect is vivid. The following are some typical examples when designing the layout. An example is given.


1. The text block has flexible column function. Generally, when the newspapers, magazines, etc. are arranged, the placement of the text blocks is very flexible, and it is often necessary to break the bar (that is, it is not necessary to press the layout bar auxiliary line), then if this Independent text blocks can not be divided into columns, which will affect the layout ideas and efficiency. PageMaker does not have this simple and practical function, but relies on a series of very cumbersome steps: the text block is first divided according to the layout bar auxiliary line, and then the "equilibrium field" in the plug-in is used. Flat, and finally grouped in order to change the size of the text block without affecting the equivalent column width and so on. InDesign has a flexible column function, which is on the same level as QuarkXPress and FIT, which have always been stronger than PageMaker.


2. The text in the text block and the text block have magical color filling and hooking functions. InDesign can fill the text in the text block with the solid color or the gradient color, and can give the text any rough solid color or gradient color. side. At the same time, this text block can also be given a solid color or gradient background, the text block border can be hooked to any thick solid color or gradient color border, such a cumbersome step, InDesign with its quick function can be done in one go, and PageMaker single It can't be done by its "text background" function, even with other software, even QuarkX-Press can only hope for its back. In particular, the function of the gradient of the text in the text block and the text block is only FIT can compete with it.


3. The size of the text in the text block is flexible. When we arrange it, we often encounter some special emphasis on some text in a certain block of text, such as size, length change, etc. InDesign provides you with This convenient feature. InDe-sign allows the text in the block to be resized and tilted arbitrarily in the XY direction, while the text in the PageMaker block can only be changed in the X-axis direction, not to tilt. What's even more amazing is that the entire text block in InDesign can be zoomed in and out with the “zoom key” (the text is also enlarged and reduced accordingly). This drawing software has excellent features that were introduced by InDesign, which greatly reduced the layout due to layout changes. Workload increases work efficiency. However, PageMaker can only be ignored, and it is time-consuming and laborious to re-arrange the layout from changing the size of the font size.


4. The text of the text block is more free in the control of the spacing. Generally, when the text is arranged, the last line of the last column of the text block cannot be flush with the last line of the previous column, etc., and the word may need to be adjusted. Tracking is implemented. InDesign's text kerning can be easily adjusted by setting any value, which is very fast and convenient. I wonder if it is because of this flexible kerning function that InDesign does not include the "professional kerning" feature unique to PageMaker? PageMaker has only five levels to control, which is awkward. In addition, in the control of Kerning, Word spacing and Letter Spacing, InDesign also performed well, and innovated the “single-line/multi-line composition” function to ensure beautiful text layout.


5. The regular rectangular frame of the text block can be freely changed. If we need the shape of the text block to be special when we arrange it, then InDesign not only presets several rounded and chamfered rectangles for you, but also allows you to use The Select Tool and Bezier Tools make more creative shape changes based on the default rectangular text block, truly making you “what you want”. And this feature doesn't even think about it in PageMaker, even QuarkXPress is not so convenient.


6. Have the artistic effect text in the drawing software - sort the text along the path, in order to match the layout, you need to change the text, InDesign just use the "Bezier tool" to draw your favorite curve, then along Curved text can be easily implemented in InDesign. PageMaker must go to another software to implement, if it is modified, it is very troublesome, which really affects work efficiency.


7. The text in the text block can be transferred to the graphic. When the layout is sent to the output center output, if the output center has no corresponding True Type word or PS word, then the function of InDesign's text-to-graphics can come in handy. The unique features of this drawing software are once again used in typesetting software. PageMaker can only use other software to complete this task. Through the above examples, it can be seen that in the comparison of word processing, InDesign is mature and mature, and PageMaker is a bit old.


8. InDesgn's other functions, InDesign also has many features of painting and drawing software and its own unique features, which greatly facilitates users. E.g:


1InDesign can feather, shadow and transparentize images, eliminating the need to go to Photoshop to achieve the steps;


2InDesign draws on Photoshop's “sipper tool”, which provides a lot of convenience for quickly viewing and copying colors;


3InDesign's "Bezier Tools" and "Free Pens" have the same drawing functions as drawing software such as CorelDRAW, which saves the trouble of drawing additional software.


4InDesign's palette can be used to drag the CMYK control bar to get the color you want, making it easier for users to choose the color when designing.


5InDesign's magical multiple UNDO and REDO features enhance the flexibility of user-designed products. PageMaker is only once, and even some operations are not even once.


6InDesign's "Recovery" feature allows you to automatically recover your most recent operations due to unexpected system failures, which greatly reduces the risk of accidents.


7InDesign integrates a variety of key technologies, including image, font, and color management technologies now available in all Adobe professional software. Through these programs, Adobe provides the industry's first ability to achieve consistent screen and print;


8InDesign has extensive support for PDF and can store PDF directly without the need for an intermediate program like Acrobat Distiller, which has obvious advantages when PDF becomes a standard in the future. PageMaker is even more outdated in these areas, and the aging PageMaker can only be repositioned into the business typography market, competing with Microsoft's Publisher. There are many advantages like the above, and I will not give examples here. In summary, InDesign's outstanding advantages in typesetting software need no doubt, in the professional field, InDesign instead of PageMaker becomes the mainstream of professional software in the industry is an inevitable trend.

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