Part VIII: Going Beyond the Program

Chapter List

Chapter 35: Working with Others

Chapter 36: Using Plug-Ins

Chapter 37: Using Scripts

Part Overview

Working with others in a workgroup adds a whole level of complexity to using a program like InDesign, and that complexity grows even more if you're working in a cross-platform environment. Chapter 35 explains how to share preferences and other InDesign components with others in your workgroup, as well as how to integrate Macs and PCs.

As Adobe and other companies continue to develop plug-ins for InDesign, you'll have the option to make InDesign do even more. That too adds to the complexity of using InDesign, but for a worthwhile reason. Chapter 36 explains how to work with plug-ins.

Finally, you can make InDesign work on autopilot by using its scripting capability. Although scripting is essentially a form of programming that requires strong technical skill, organizations that have the ability to develop scripts in any of the three supporting scripting languages JavaScript, AppleScript, and Visual Basic for Applications will be able to save much repetitive labor in the layout and production process. Chapter 37 introduces InDesign's scripting capabilities.