Adobe InDesign (Classroom in a Book) (Paperback)

Version 1.5 of InDesign has several new features, including the ability to place text along a path and to vertically justify lines of type (that is, adjust the leading to fill out a text frame). This edition of the book refers to these new features, although some get only a cursory mention. For example, one of the coolest new tools is the eye dropper, that can quickly copy and apply text or graphic-formatting attributes. But the usefulness of this, particularly with respect to text attributes, is never fully explored in a tutorial. On the other hand, the book does have extensive information on the new ability to create clipping paths from Photoshop alpha channels, even choosing from multiple saved clipping paths.

The original edition of this book had a less than thorough index. This seems to have been corrected here. However, keep in mind that the Classroom in a Book series is best when you read the books from front to back, following along at the computer. The books in the series are generally less effective for jumping around and troubleshooting. Although Adobe InDesign 1.5 Classroom in a Book doesn't make the best desk reference, once you've finished you can refer back and apply the lessons to your own projects. New users especially will appreciate the well-constructed exercises, which incorporate many features, tools and issues in each lesson. --Angelynn Grant, Amazon.com --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Amazon.co.uk Review
Adobe InDesign Classroom in a Book has all the benefits of both a manual and a tutorial. Since it was written by the Adobe Staff, the "voice" of the book lacks the personal "avoid-the-mistakes-I've-made" tone of an individual and instead uses the confident authority common to books written by an application's creators.

InDesign is Adobe's powerful layout application, one they hope will be used in place of current industry favourite Quark Express. One of the main selling points of InDesign is its commonality and integration with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

The book begins with a Quick Tour, which is actually a lesson in itself since it covers many of the basic text, page and image-handling features of InDesign. Each subsequent lesson goes deeper into these topics. The files for each lesson are provided on the cross-platform CD-ROM. The lessons range from working with text and typography to working with graphics, using advanced frame techniques (frames hold text or images) and pre-press preparation of documents. There is a colour section with illustrations that clarify many steps, especially those that use colour and show the finished projects.

Each lesson begins with an overview of what's covered and ends with review questions. Don't worry, the answers are provided on that same page. Reading the overviews and review questions first is a good way to decide whether that chapter can be skipped or whether it needs to be read in depth. This makes Adobe InDesign CIB useful for both beginners and intermediates.

All the steps for each task are clearly written, labelled and illustrated so that, even though the book is best read while going through lessons in a linear fashion, it is possible to skip around. For example, it is not difficult or confusing to jump ahead to the fairly advanced section on filling one block of text with a different block of text to which a gradient has been applied. The fact that executing this involved graphic becomes a simple process is a credit both to InDesign the application as well as Adobe InDesign CIB.

It should be noted that Adobe InDesign CIB does not come with a demonstration copy of the application, nor is a demo available on the Adobe Web site. Interestingly, it is possible to follow along without actually using the application at the same time. However, the book is clearly meant for those who have already purchased InDesign and are convinced it will be the "Quark-killer" the design world has been hearing about for months. --Angelynn Grant

Topics covered: features of Adobe InDesign, including lessons on the work area and interface, creating and setting up a document, working with frames, applying colour, importing and editing text, working with typography, placing and drawing images, colour management issues and preparing a document for high-resolution printing.

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