by Andrew Whiteman
1. Enhanced interactive document features
The ability to produce slightly different versions of the same document is a fairly frequent requirement. It may be a case of having one brochure for distributors and another for end-users or producing different language versions of the same manual. Documents of this kind are ideal candidates for InDesign CS4’s new conditional text feature.
Creating interactive buttons has been made easier than ever. Instead of a button tool, CS4 now has a Buttons panel which also includes button states. Having converted an element to a button, the Buttons panel allows you to add “rollover” and “click” states and assign actions.
The Link Info window is also now integrated into the Links panel and is now much more interactive. You simply double-click an image to display it and it now contains buttons which allow you to move from image to image. Add to this the ability to customise which columns of information appear in both the Links panel and the Link Info panel and we have a really impressive tool for keeping track of imported images.
2. Conditional text
Adobe have responded to the growing need for designers to create electronic documents by significantly enhancing the tools available for adding interactivity to InDesign files. The Hyperlinks panel now contains a URL field, enabling you to create a link by simply highlighting some text and entering the required URL.
Creating interactive buttons has been made easier than ever. Instead of a button tool, CS4 now has a Buttons panel which also includes button states. Having converted an element to a button, the Buttons panel allows you to add “rollover” and “click” states and assign actions.
Another welcome addition is the ability to add page transitions. Also, having added interactivity to a layout, you can now export to Flash (.swf) files as well as PDF.
3. Conditional text
InDesign’s Links panel keeps track of files imported into your document and indicates the current status of linked files: for example, showing you if a file has been modified or is missing. InDesign CS4 includes considerable enhancements to this useful utility. For a start, there is now a thumbnail next to each item listed in the Links panel and the page number shown next to each item is a clickable link which takes you straight to the image.
Creating interactive buttons has been made easier than ever. Instead of a button tool, CS4 now has a Buttons panel which also includes button states. Having converted an element to a button, the Buttons panel allows you to add “rollover” and “click” states and assign actions.
Another welcome addition is the ability to add page transitions. Also, having added interactivity to a layout, you can now export to Flash (.swf) files as well as PDF.
Adobe InDesign CS4: Top Three New Features
1. Enhanced interactive document features
The ability to produce slightly different versions of the same document is a fairly frequent requirement. It may be a case of having one brochure for distributors and another for end-users or producing different language versions of the same manual. Documents of this kind are ideal candidates for InDesign CS4’s new conditional text feature.
Creating interactive buttons has been made easier than ever. Instead of a button tool, CS4 now has a Buttons panel which also includes button states. Having converted an element to a button, the Buttons panel allows you to add “rollover” and “click” states and assign actions.
The Link Info window is also now integrated into the Links panel and is now much more interactive. You simply double-click an image to display it and it now contains buttons which allow you to move from image to image. Add to this the ability to customise which columns of information appear in both the Links panel and the Link Info panel and we have a really impressive tool for keeping track of imported images.
2. Conditional text
Adobe have responded to the growing need for designers to create electronic documents by significantly enhancing the tools available for adding interactivity to InDesign files. The Hyperlinks panel now contains a URL field, enabling you to create a link by simply highlighting some text and entering the required URL.
Creating interactive buttons has been made easier than ever. Instead of a button tool, CS4 now has a Buttons panel which also includes button states. Having converted an element to a button, the Buttons panel allows you to add “rollover” and “click” states and assign actions.
Another welcome addition is the ability to add page transitions. Also, having added interactivity to a layout, you can now export to Flash (.swf) files as well as PDF.
3. Conditional text
InDesign’s Links panel keeps track of files imported into your document and indicates the current status of linked files: for example, showing you if a file has been modified or is missing. InDesign CS4 includes considerable enhancements to this useful utility. For a start, there is now a thumbnail next to each item listed in the Links panel and the page number shown next to each item is a clickable link which takes you straight to the image.
Creating interactive buttons has been made easier than ever. Instead of a button tool, CS4 now has a Buttons panel which also includes button states. Having converted an element to a button, the Buttons panel allows you to add “rollover” and “click” states and assign actions.
Another welcome addition is the ability to add page transitions. Also, having added interactivity to a layout, you can now export to Flash (.swf) files as well as PDF.
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