I'm looking into some programs to help publish a series of ebooks I'm writing. Also looking for something that will help with website and blog design.
I'd like a mac based program and have heard inDesign is the ticket for most everything. Feedback?
Do you have a favorite? Recommendations?
I'm currently playing around in Pages but heard it was a toy in comparison.
Thank-you!
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
If you're on a PC, feel free to share what you like to use as well! (meant to add that!)
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
PC here. I'm using Xara.
It's very user-friendly and has some nice effects and features. The logo on the top of my page was created in SignWizard as a vector image, effects were added in Corel x4 including the drop shadow, exported as png file with a transparent background and it worked fine in Xara. But I could have put the drop shadow on in Xara because it does that too. Xara even has it's own 3d effects such as the 'picture frame' on my last page.
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
Hey Donna......I have been using the Adobe Suite for years now but haven't had the chance (or taken the time) to learn Indesign all that well. It's nice to have the integration of the Creative Suite package and it works well for most needs you'll run across. Photoshop Illustrator, and Indesign all play well together. Now there is also support for tablets built into CS 5.5.
In the graphics industry, the lions share of work is produced using Adobe CS software. I have done more job searches than I care to remember, so I have learned that most graphic design related businesses and studios are looking for people with experience using the Adobe CS package.....for what that is worth.
I'm still trying to catch up to the newest version of CS for home use. I usually find an older version for a decent price out on eBay. At work I have the newest version.
But my attentions have been shifted to 3D parametric feature-based design software (specifically SolidWorks), so I may never get around to learning Indesign?
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
I've used InDesign for the cover to cover page layout of a weekly magazine and for designing newspaper and magazine ads. It's the way to go, and doubly so when you ask for something Mac based.
Pages is a word processing program, not page layout. It's Apple's answer to MS Word. InDesign is Adobe's answer to Quark Xpress, and works seamlessly with Illustrator and Photoshop.
I recommend buying a month or two of lynda.com online lessons as the best way to get a jump start and lessen the learning curve after buying any new software. $25/month unlimited lessons is a huge bargain, and they work. It's the next best thing to having an InDesign expert come to your home to give private lessons.
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Thanks Don, Dan suggested I do the same thing. i'll be looking into the lessons.
Pages does have a page layout format as well as the word processing section. It's a little more 'do it yourself' in kit form which makes it so user friendly and easy to manipulate your way. Can't believe it's only $20! I use it a LOT for my blog stuff.
I can see InDesign has a much bigger learning curve. LOVE the bridge feature which attaches seamlessly to photos and such. That part is amazing. I have lots to learn.
Thanks for the feedback, all!
Posted by Terry Whynott (Member # 1622) on :
Another vote for InDesign. I only use it for creating a quarterly magazine but didn't find it too hard to learn and I see there are lots of neat features for creating interactive e-books. I think that's your best bet.
If the bridge feature is what I think you're referring to, it looks like it has been discontinued. There's a Bridge button at the top of my screen. When I click on it, it opens a page that says "The Adobe Bridge Home service has been discontinued in order to focus resources on other efforts.".
Posted by Dan Antonelli (Member # 86) on :
Donna, doing my next book in InDesign....
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
I can't be of any significant help with InDesign, but I would add my plug for Lynda.com. I've used it for years and continue to refresh my memory on things forgotten - which, at my age is quite often.
It is most useful with trying to learn video work connected to Adobe CS 5.5.
Posted by Michael Clanton (Member # 2419) on :
InDesign has a few quirky learning curve issues, but if you have any experience in professional page layout programs like Quark or PageMaker, InDesign is pretty easy to navigate.
I came at it from a background in Illustrator/CorelDRAW, so I had to figure out exactly how to drop photos and art elements in, link them, scale them, etc.- it does run pretty seamless with Illustrator/Photoshop, so any elements that are designed in those can be moved over and edited pretty easily.
I really like the way it packages the entire project to send off to a printer- I've sent a couple of dozen projects to a dozen different production facilities, and they all have worked great (no print issues)
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
Terry might be using a newer Adobe than I am. Bridge works fine with CS4.
Posted by Terry Whynott (Member # 1622) on :
That's strange, I'm using CS4 too.
Oh, and did anyone else catch that Dan A's working on a new book?! Cool!!
[ January 09, 2012, 06:13 PM: Message edited by: Terry Whynott ]
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
Aha! You're using the Canadian version? Seriously, if Bridge works for me but not for you, there must be something in the preferences that is set up different.
We have ourselves another software mystery.
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Canadian here... bridge is working for me in CS4. Actually, fabulously!
Posted by Terry Whynott (Member # 1622) on :
Well, what the heck??!
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
Terry, you just got a lemon is all. Maybe reloading the software?
![[Smile]](smile.gif)