Seattle InDesign User GroupMeeting Notes Archive
Tuesday, January 14, 2003 — Second Anniversary!
Two years ago we met for the first time as an InDesign® user group, possibly the first ever. Of the original dozen people who met in January 2000, just about all of us were at tonight’s meeting! Sheila Hoffman started us down this path; she’s still helping out with prizes for the raffle. And I’m so glad that we’ve prospered and grown so much as a group.
Record Attendance
We had about 106 people at the meeting! No InDesign user group has had such a large crowd before, and if you add this to the two years we've existed, we're possibly the most dedicated collection of InDesign users around. We had about 12 print providers in the room. I think I saw them nod when I asked if they're getting InDesign files and outputting them successfully.
Presentations
David Blatner: Mr. Quark's Journey to InDesign
David talked about how his reactions to InDesign have changed over the last couple of years. He's widely known as Mr. Quark and as a major authority on the Denver-based layout application.
When he started using InDesign, David remarked that he thought that parts of InDesign were slow. Over time he's noticed that InDesign is actually doing a lot of extra work with his content and making it easier to create his publications. David said he now realizes that, although he may pause as InDesign completes a command, InDesign completes more work more easily than Quark. He’s saving time and stress now that he’s letting InDesign do the work for him.
A few of the many big differences David mentioned include the functionality of the lock element feature, being able to set the proxy origination point, all the things that can be done with the guidelines (color them, group them, nudge them, delete them, etc.), direct printing to Acrobat, and the ability to import native PSD and AI files with transparency.
David and Olav Martin Kvern recently finished co-authoring Real World Adobe InDesign 2 from Peachpit Press. They used InDesign on a number of platforms to complete the book. David is completing another book for Peachpit Press: InDesign for Quark Users.
We had a user group discount on the new book and sold out all 40 copies, which David and Ole gladly autographed. Thanks, guys!
Garrett Cobarr: Interactive PDFs and InDesign
We’re so used to thinking about how to use InDesign for print, Garrett uses InDesign with little intention of doing print production. Garrett talked about how he uses FileMaker Pro, Illustrator®, Photoshop®, InDesign, and Acrobat® to create interconnected PDF files for a sales force. He shared a file system with which he could move into a manufacturer’s product line, look at particular products, and then create orders and quotes for a client from the PDF. The PDF works in a kiosk mode for trade shows, or it can create custom client quotes. Garrett’s workflow is very automated and responds well to his clients’ requests for changes and updates. The latest request was for a version that works on a PDA (personal digital assistant). Garrett even mentioned that he’s working entirely in RGB and using standard color management profiles so his files work consistently — the client’s happy with the printouts!
Lake Washington Technical College: Print Certificate
Nancy Dick and Krista Jensen, instructors at LWTC, outlined the classes and certificates available at the college including advanced InDesign classes, and a Print Certificate.
Prizes!
We awarded books from Peachpit Press and Adobe Press to members, an upgrade-ready copy of PageMill, and a copy of InDesign 2. Thanks to Peachpit and Adobe for the donations.
Thanks too to ElementK Journals for providing free samples of their Design Authority and Inside Adobe InDesign and a discount order form.
Photos From This Meeting!
Photos are available from this user group meeting.
See the photos.
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