This course is for beginner to intermediate level content creators who are new to Adobe InDesign CS3 and who want to learn the interface and commonly used, essential features of the product.

Students will produce engaging page content using text and graphics. In addition to teaching essentials, the course focuses on teaching best practices for creating page content whether for newsletters, flyers, online documents or books.

• Be familiar with Windows or Mac OS X.
• Be familiar with general page layout concepts and terminology.

Lesson 1: Getting to Know the Work Area • Introduction • About the Toolbox• Using Palettes• Customizing your workspace• Changing the Magnification• Navigator Palette • Controlling Windows • Context Menus

Lesson 2: Setting Up Your Document• Starting Documents • Master Pages• Document Rulers• Margin and Column Guides • Ruler Guides • Document Grids • Adding, deleting, and arranging pages

Lesson 3: Working with Frames• Text Frames • Typing, selecting, moving and deleting text • Modifying graphics frames • Using the Position tool • Replacing content • Adjusting text within a frame• Aligning multiple objects

Lesson 4: Importing and Editing Text • Managing fonts • Creating and entering text • Flowing text • Resizing a text frame • Working with styles • Threading text • Applying and editing sidebar styles • Using the Spell Check feature • Drag and drop text editing

Lesson 5: Working with Typography • Adjusting vertical spacing • Using the baseline grid • Changing fonts and type style • Adding a decorative font and special character • Applying special font features • Adjusting the kerning and tracking • working with tabs

Lesson 6: Working in Color • Defining printing requirements• Storing Colors • Swatch Libraries • Applying colors to objects• Working with gradients• Creating a tint • Color Management • A look at the Bridge • Setting up default working spaces

Lesson 7: Working with Styles• Creating and applying object styles • Creating and applying character styles • Creating and applying paragraph styles • Creating a nesting style • Globally updating styles • Loading styles from another document

Lesson 8: Importing and Linking Graphics• Adding graphics from other programs • Comparing vector and bitmap graphics • Managing links to imported files • Updating revised graphics • Working with clipping paths • Working with alpha channels • Placing inline graphics • Creating a library • Using Adobe Bridge to import graphics

Lesson 9: Creating Tables• Importing and formatting tables • Formatting borders and alternating row colors • Adding cell strokes • Deleting columns • Using graphics within tables • Setting fixed row and column dimensions • Formatting text within a table • Working with tables within existing text frames

Lesson 10: Working with Transparency• Importing and colorizing a black-and-white image • Applying transparency settings • Applying the Multiply blending mode • Applying feathering to the margins of an image • Applying transparency settings to text • Creating a drop shadow

Lesson 11: Working with Long Documents• Defining a book • Creating a book file • Setting the order and pagination • Working with a table of contents • Maintaining consistency across book files • Reassigning the style source• Indexing the book • Creating index references and cross-references

Lesson 12: Printing and PDF Exporting • Using Preflight • Using Package • Creating an Adobe PDF proof • Previewing the page • Printing a laser or inkjet proof