A new purchase

I have long been a fan of scripting, if it can be scripted and can shave nano seconds off a job, I am there. I would rather spend an hour writing a script to perform repetitive tasks than actually do them. AppleScript is usually my bag. It was the first scripting language I had a go at and I found it really easy to pick up. More recently though I have been eyeing JavaScript from across the room. After a couple of half cocked attempts scratching around the surface I still find myself resorting back to AppleScript when actual working, finished scripts are required. It's always far easier to stick with what you know!

The joy of (conditional) text

The other day I made a ham fisted attempt, with words and my mouth, to explain the workings of Conditional Text. I have a sneaky suspicion the person I was explaining it to was just being polite as I persisted to mumble and bumble my way through a terrible demonstration. In light of that moment, I am having another crack at it here, with these words and my fingers.

Quick keyboard shortcuts

Can you handle the excitement?

The Application Bar, I keep it at the top of the screen. I spend a lot time going up there. Whether its to change a font size, move a frame or just flick through the multitude of options on a rainy day. The Application Bar, it's the place to be. But rather than mouse up to it every time, the quickest way there from anywhere in the document is to use command/ctrl+6. This shortcut drops you neatly into the first available field or button, depending on what is selected on the document. But wait! Hands off that mouse! There is more, here are a couple of useful things to know whilst you are at the bar.

Smooth Flows

When it comes to overset text, most InDesign users are probably aware of how to manually thread text frames together in order to flow text. But there is also a simple way to flow text and automatically add as many pages as necessary. This rather excellent feature goes by the name of Smart Text Reflow.