InData 2.0 update released

Em Software has just released InData 2.0 for InDesign CS5-6. According to the company this update "along with various accumulated fixes and improvements, finally adds full support for text anchors, hyperlinks and cross-references."

I've used previous versions of this valuable InDesign plug-in for several projects, and can vouch for its usefulness. It's best described as "mail merge on steroids". If you've tried the Data Merge feature of InDesign, but have been hampered by its limitations, you'll love InData. It's particularly useful for publishing directories from database information, without having to learn how to use InDesign's XML features.

Of course, if you need training on how to use InData, or consulting help with an InData project, I can do that too! Contact me if you'd like to talk about this.

 

New Adobe DPS status resource

If you create apps with Adobe Digital Publishing Suite, you come to rely heavily on Adobe's various Web services for building, previewing, and publishing apps. Adobe just released a Web site that displays the status of various DPS services. See status.adobedps.com. This will be really helpful!

Check out hdistudios.com

As a side business, I've partnered with Steve Harmon, a talented local designer and artist based in White Bear Lake, MN, to help him sell his artwork. We've created a full e-commerce Web site (hdistudios.com) containing over 60 products so far: prints, notecards and books. 

I'd be honored if you'd take a look at the products on the Web site. This is an easy way to do some Holiday shopping without leaving home. The Web site has fully secure shopping cart capability, so you can complete your transaction with your credit card right on the site and your items will be shipped to your home.

Purchase a print or some notecards for yourself or a loved one, and know that your purchase benefits a local artist and entrepreneur!

Since this is a blog devoted to publishing and graphic design technology, some of you may be interested to know the platform behind the Web site. The entire site was created using the Adobe Business Catalyst platform and Adobe Dreamweaver. Adobe Business Catalyst makes managing the product inventory, the shopping cart system, and the credit card processing fairly easy.

Convert Publisher files to PDF

I was notified today of a free on-line service that looks interesting: A free Microsoft Publisher to PDF conversion service. See publishertopdf.com.

I haven't tried this, but am keeping a link to it for the couple-of-times-year occasion when someone sends me a Microsoft Publisher file that I need to either just look at, or worse, convert to InDesign.

A few related links:

More free online file conversions: Cometdocs

Recosoft PDF2ID to convert PDF and XPS files to InDesign.

Markzware PUB2ID to convert Publisher to InDesign files.

Markzware PDF2DTP to edit PDF in InDesign or QuarkXPress.

Free font resources

Here are some font resources you should be aware of:

Source Sans Pro

Source Sans Pro is Adobe's first "open-source" type family. The free sans serif type family is available in 12 styles, and includes a number of OpenType features such as fractions, old style numerals, and stylistic sets. As an open-source typeface, it is completely free to use for any private or commercial purposes. You can read more about the development of Source Sans Pro here.

Source Code Pro

Source Code Pro is a monospaced version of Source Sans Pro, available in 6 styles. You can read more about the development of Source Code Pro here. This is a free open-source font.

Google Web fonts

Google Web fonts is a directory of "hundreds of free open-source fonts optimized for the web". However, as my friend Bob Levine pointed out recently, the fonts can also be downloaded in TrueType format for use in print or digital projects. To do so,

1. Visit www.google.com/webfonts, browse the fonts, and add one or more fonts to your collection.

2. Click the Download your Collection link in the upper-right corner of the Web page.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to download the fonts in your collection as a zip file. You can then unzip the file and install the TrueType fonts on your system.

Source Sans Pro, Source Code Pro, and all the Google Web fonts are all licensed using the SIL Open Font License.