Services

xPression Design Track - xPresso for Adobe InDesign CS4

With xPresso for Adobe InDesign you can transform your existing static documents into highly-creative dynamic customer communications right on your desktop. Dynamic content publishing uses variable data and assembly logic to generate templates that automate the creation of highly-personalized marketing collaterals, brochures and catalogs, as well as customer invoices, bills and statements for both online and print distribution. This three-day course consists of an overview of Adobe InDesign, a set of PowerPoint modules, class training activities, and a final exam.

Course Length:

3 Days

Who Should Attend:

Professionals who create, implement, and maintain xPresso for Adobe InDesign applications. This course covers primarily document design tasks. If students will also be involved in publishing, it is recommended they take the xAdmin course for the appropriate version of the xPression server (EE or WE).

Course Prerequisites:

The following is highly recommended:
  • Beginner to intermediate level proficiency with Adobe InDesign CS4.
  • Basic understanding of XML data structure, data hierarchy (XSD) and data/content tagging.
  • Hands-on experience with Microsoft® Windows 2000 or higher
If you're new to Adobe InDesign, or just need a refresher, try these resources
  • Start Adobe InDesign and press F1, or from the Help menu select InDesign Help. When Adobe Help Center page appears, click Learning Resources.
  • Access Adobe's website for more information at http://www.adobe.com.

View course schedule


Topics

Introduction to xPression

  • Understand the products and services provided by EMC Document Sciences
  • Describe the benefits provided by Dynamic Content Publishing
  • Explain the business needs addressed by xPression
  • Identify the applications within the xPression Product Suite

Introduction to the Document Development Cycle

  • Describe the Workgroup Edition document development cycle
  • Understand the xPression document lifecycle

Introduction to xAdmin Workgroup Edition

  • Describe xPression Workgroup Edition and the xAdmin WE interface
  • Explain the differences between Workgroup Edition and Enterprise Edition

Introduction to xPresso Design Tools

  • Understand the purpose of each design tool
  • Describe different types of dynamic content created with the tools

Introduction to xPresso for Adobe InDesign

  • Understand the purpose and functionality of xPresso for Adobe InDesign
  • Understand the xPresso for Adobe InDesign working environment

Working with Variables

  • Understand the purpose of variable data
  • Identify the types of data supported
  • Identify the two types of variable data used in xPresso for Adobe InDesign
  • Load a schema and create variables
  • Import variables and place them in a document
  • View variable data in a document
  • Remove empty lines from variable content

Types of Content

  • Understand the different types of variability
  • Understand the different types of criteria
  • Specify on/off criteria
  • Specify simple switch criteria

Creating Sample Output

  • Learn about previewing sample PDF output
  • Preview a file

Working with Images

  • Understand the different ways to work with images
  • Embed static images in a document
  • Create image variables
  • Understand image formatting options
  • Specify image fit options

Introduction to Content Loops

  • Understand the different types of content loops
  • Create a text range loop
  • Create a table variable using an array

Formatting Content

  • Understand using styles in InDesign
  • Apply a style to content
  • Understand variable formatting
  • Apply formatting to a variable

Subdocuments

  • Understand subdocuments
  • Add a subdocument to a master document

Introduction to xAdmin and xDashboard

  • Learn about xAdmin and output management configuration
  • Learn about xDashboard and job management

Creating Production Level Output

  • Understand xPresso packages and package options
  • Understand xPresso preflight
  • Understand snapshotting
  • Package a document
  • Deploy a package and data in xAdmin
  • Publish a document in xDashboard

Advanced xPresso for Adobe InDesign

  • Load a schema and create variables
  • Understand and create an inline frame loop
  • Understand and create a page loop
  • Understand and apply frame grouping
  • Create an InDesign table and make it dynamic with content loops

Advanced Formatting Options

  • Understand master pages
  • Add page n of m numbering to master page
  • Understand layers
  • Create conditional layers
  • Understand transparency and opacity
  • Apply transparency to an image

Advanced Table Options

  • Understand and add page level subtotals
  • Understand and add a GroupSum function
  • Understand continuation headers and footers
  • Add a continuation header

Advanced Flow Control Options

  • Understand and create linking frames
  • Understand and create optional pages

Dynamic Charts

  • Understand dynamic charts
  • Understand Corda Builder's role
  • Create a line chart

Document Design Considerations

  • Understand InDesign supported items
  • Understand font support
  • Understand image support

*Please note “Introduction to ...” chapters are presentation only.