Normally, I pick one InDesign feature and build a whole episode around it. However, this is the second anniversary of the podcast, and I wanted to demonstrate that combining InDesign features is far more powerful than using them individually. In this episode, I use six different features -- Anchored Objects, Frame Fitting, Object Styles, GREP, Paragraph Styles and Multi-file Place -- to eliminate all of the repetitive tasks from a layout.

It's that little feature we all take for granted, but InDesign's Text Wrap is a vast improvement over that other page layout application's Runaround feature. This episode takes an in-depth look at all of InDesign's Text Wrap options, reveals a few peculiarities to watch out for, and demonstrates the additional options added in CS3.

Who says data and design are mutually exclusive? Not InDesign, that's for sure. Under the right circumstances, data-driven layout is the way to go. Unlike XML, which makes designers run from their computers, the Data Merge feature in InDesign is an easy way to accomplish fast, flexible data-driven layout creation and updates. Using a subscriber's files as an example, this episode takes a video look a topic that was tackled way back in the audio-only days of Episode #7.

Who wants to see the home videos from my vacation? Before you run for the exits, let me rephrase that: Who wants to learn about how to add and work with videos in InDesign, create buttons to control them, export PDFs that will play them. In this episode, you'll learn how to put these great features to work, what limitations to be aware of, and how to turn your PDFs into rich interactive experiences by taking advantage of multimedia options in InDesign.

How would you like to have all versions of your (or your client's) logo available in one placed file and never have to worry about re-positioning them in the frame in your layout? In this episode, I share the tip I presented during the closing "tip extravaganza" session at last week's InDesign Conference in New York. It's a technique I plan to use all the time, and it builds on the topic of the last episode -- Object Layer Options -- but with Illustrator CS3 files this time.

It's time to get back to the original mission of the videocast -- real-world examples of InDesign in action to help you work better, smarter and faster. In this episode, I take a look at a feature that debuted in CS2: Object Layer Options. Not only does InDesign understand the native Photoshop format, it also understands Photoshop's layers and Layer Comps. Using one layered image from the opening spread of a magazine feature, I turn its layers into separate backgrounds, headers and pieces of spot art throughout the rest of the layout.

Another glipmse into the new and improved user experience you can expect when CS3 ships. This episode takes a quick look at the Pages palette (which now shows page thumbnails), the much-improved Control Panel, and menu customization in the new version.

Icons and panels and docks...oh my!

At long last, the wait is over and the veil of secrecy is lifted. In this first look at InDesign CS3, I give a glimpse of what the new version looks like, because Adobe has given it -- and all of the Creative Suite applications -- a new user interface. Goodbye palettes (technically)...hello panels and docks. Here's a very brief glimpse at what users can expect to see when they finally get InDesign CS3 in their hot little hands.

The thrilling conclusion of the Long Documents series is finally here! In this episode, I wrap it all up with some last indexing shortcuts, generating an index (and how it differs from generating a TOC), formatting and updating an index, and making your index interactive in a PDF.

Continuing with the very long series on long document features after a long break, this episode finally tackles the feature that is the bane of many an InDesign user's existence: Indexing. This first of two indexing installments covers the basic principles of indexing as they apply to InDesign, including some up-front advice about what to expect and what not to expect the software to do for you. Also, I go through indexing basics such as working with the Index palette, creating Topics, References and Cross-References, Topic Levels and sorting. And that's only the first half!