A Designer's Guide to Adobe InDesign and XML: Harness the Power of XML to Automate your Print and Web Workflows

A Designer's Guide to Adobe InDesign and XML: Harness the Power of XML to Automate your Print and Web Workflows
| 2007-12-14 00:00:00 | | 0 | Adobe InDesign


Is this book for programmers?  Written specifically for graphic designers and production artists already comfortable working with Adobe InDesign, this book teaches you how to automate publishing without learning a lot of scary code. XML simplifies the process of moving content in and out of your layouts and can speed up any print or Web assignment.

Why should I care about XML? If you?re managing data-intensive layout projects, and you want to keep that data consistent, accurate, and up-to-date, then incorporating XML can help. You can also use XML to automate processes like importing text and large numbers of graphics into a layout, or repurposing content from one application to another. Do I need additional plug-ins or special software? You need only the powerful features built into InDesign CS2, CS3 or CS4 to use this book.

How will I learn XML? This guide includes nine easy-to-follow projects with downloadable support files. With these hands-on tutorials, you will learn XML in context. By the final project, XML will no longer be a mystery, but a powerful tool you can use to support your company or clients.

These real-world projects will teach you:
l Business cards: Create a structured layout in InDesign and then import XML. Format text automatically and flow the text into multiple examples.
l Product catalog: Learn how to import XML data into a structured layout using nested styles and cloned text.
l Direct mail and variable data printing: Use XML and InDesign to create sophisticated direct mail pieces without costly plug-ins or third-party software.
l Magazine and newspaper: Build and export magazine-style publications for online distribution.
l Web: Transform XML into XHTML to incorporate directly into your Web pages, or use Cascading Style Sheets to instantly format your exported XML.


User review
Simply the best to start.
all is on the title. I was looking for a first, professional book about XML and Indesign. I don't have seen an other book like this yet.

Really a good book, well done, filled with information to knowing and to keep with you.

User review
A God send
This book is the most valuable book to all production catalog designers alike! We are part designers and part programers. We like it done fast, efficiently, correct and printable. I am using Adobe Suite 4 and XML is still supported. There are programs that are out there that automatically create catalogs. But if you are savvy enough to learn xml, javascript and a few other small programs, you can be just as powerful. Great book!

User review
XML in design speak!
This is an outstanding book. Finally, XML explained in terminology that meshes with the way a designer thinks! Get this book and learn how to use this! You'll see a dramatic increase in your production time! (People will think you are super human as well!) I didn't take time to figure out XML in InDesign prior to this book because it was so confusing. This book does a great job exlaining how it works and giving actual examples to learn from.

User review
Superb
I nearly wept with joy when I read this book. It contains clear guidance to stuff I've been trying to get InDesign CS3 to do for months. They make it look easy - and it is with this book - but if I hadn't tried on my own for so long I wouldn't have appreciated how useful this book is. I would have paid $500 for this and would have considered it a bargain, let along $33.

User review
XML for the Rest of Us!
Despite being an Adobe Certified Instructor in InDesign, I never really understood working with XML until I read this book. Maivald and Palmer have taken an otherwise mysterious language and made it clear and understandable for anyone. This book has no peer and is a must for those interested in harnessing the power of XML.