Save your Find/Change Queries inside InDesign

A useful feature of Adobe InDesign CS3 is the ability to save your find/change queries. After entering your find/change operation, click on the little floppy disk icon(if you can still remember what those are) and you can save your query. The next time you need to use this find/change you will be able to load it from the drop down menu.
It is also possible to bring your find/change query to another computer(or even sell on ebay if it is a really good search). Below are the locations of the the locations of the findchange file(which is saved as a small .xml file).

Mac OS: Users\[username]\Library\Preferences\Adobe InDesign\[Version]\Find-Change Queries\
Windows XP: Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Adobe\InDesign\[Version]\Find-Change Queries\
Windows Vista: Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\InDesign\[Version]\Find-Change Queries\

Change the Default font in InDesign

Personally, I am really sick of Times New Roman. Every time I make a new text frame and start typing inside Adobe InDesign, the text will be Times New Roman. Luckily, I have changed by default font to something else. Here is how you do it.
1. Close all documents you have open.
2. Click on the type tool.
3. Change the font to a new default font.
For every new text frame you make in new projects, this will be your new default font.

Create your own custom placeholder text inside InDesign.

I love the placeholder text that Adobe InDesign generates, but sometimes I get sick of having to use Lorem ipsum all the time. You can use your very own text if you wish. Just create a plain text file and name it "placeholder.txt" and place it in the same folder as InDesign. The next time you use the fill with placeholder text command it will use your own text file.

Panorama Fun in Photoshop

I just flew in from Prague and boy are my arms tired.

But seriously...one of my favorite things to do when shooting pics in a beautiful area is to make panorama shots. But the truth is that since I don't own a tripod, nor do I usually take the time to stay on a manual setting on my camera, my pics look a little uneven to say the least.

To have Photoshop automatically create the panorama, go to File --> Automate. Select the Photomerge... setting. Inside the dialog box, select all of your pics (either if they are already open or just sitting in a folder) and make sure that the box that says "Attempt to Automatically Arrange Source Images" is checked. You can do this manually, but why bother if Photoshop can do it more effectively and efficiently.

I have read that in earlier versions (I am looking at you CS2), this feature was either non-existent or at least not as well refined and gave you less than perfect images. So if you are going to do this, keep in mind that CS3 would probably be your best bet, although it is available in CS2.

Click ok and voila, hopefully your panorama is finished.

click pic to view larger image

And yes...this was just an excuse to post a picture from my vacation.

The final picture I show is about 180º of my vantage point.

Thriving in Lean Times, hints for keeping your head above water

I've read a number of articles and reports that predict economic doom and gloom, while others say that the creative economy will weather the storm with little impact. I can't predict what will happen, but I can share a few tactics which may keep you in the black.

1. Managing employee salary and benefits: It might be time to get creative with employee benefits. Some organizations, instead of offering a salary increase or raise, have decided to offer non-monetary bonuses which have an intangible value. These bonuses don't impact fixed expenses and some can provide an immediate or long-term return on your investment.

a. Negotiate additional vacation time.
One day or one week, most employees will appreciate the flexibility extra time off affords
them.

ROI? A rested and relaxed employee who comes back to work ready to rock-and-roll. Happy staff are productive staff.

b. Provide professional development opportunities.

ROI? Depending on the training course the employee attends, it could mean increased productivity, efficiency or an increased understanding of the tools they use to complete billable work for clients. An example of this might be sending a print designer to some advanced software training at your favorite Adobe Authorized Training Center, C2. The employee picks up new skills which make them speedier and more efficient, allowing for better files to the printer and more billable projects being completed by that employee.

c. Cross-train employees.
This is an alternate method of providing professional development, although it's an investment of internal staff time, as opposed to a one time fee for a continuing ed class or Adobe Authorized Training course.

ROI? Cross-trained employees add value to the business by being able to provide support in multiple areas of the business, and ultimately they benefit by broadening and adding depth to their own marketable skill set.

2. Manage projects with outsourcing: Hiring sucks! The time-consuming process can prove expensive when you add up all the time and money spent to find a good candidate. Step 1: write a good job description to attract the best candidates (those who will enhance the culture of the organization AND get the work done well). Step 2: post the job in a place the best candidate will see it and apply (Craig's list and other free listings might not be enough). Step 3: sort though all the applications. Step 4: coordinate interviews and portfolio reviews, going back and forth with candidates and internal staff matching up calendars. Step 5: interview, portfolio review and skill assessment. Step 6: salary negotiation Step 7: make an offer and negotiate a start date. Don't forget to inform all other applicants of their status and take down the job posting! WHEW!

a. Eliminate steps 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. Give your job description to a talent placement coordinator at a firm who outsources the type of talent you need...If you need a creative talent, you can call on C2! The placement coordinator should be someone who can provide you qualified candidates, set up interviews, negotiate rates and start date.

ROI? You only invest the time to interview and do a portfolio review. If you need someone FAST, a talent placement coordinator can find you the best candidate for your project and get them to your office right away. Hiring longer term? Try before you buy, temp to perm is a great way to go!

Keep your eyes on this blog, we'll have more ideas and tactics for keeping you in the black posted here in the coming weeks!

Library items that remember their X/Y Position inside InDesign

I always thought that the disadvantage of using a Library inside Adobe InDesign was the fact that you had to place the items where you wanted manually. I thought this was the case until last week when a student in a class pointed out that if you select a library item and choose "place item(s)" from the panel menu it will be placed at it's original X/Y position on the current spread. Previously, the only way to do this was with snippets, but now we have another.