For Quark users using InDesign for the first time
December 2, 2006 – 3:52 pm
The best advice for a Quark user working for the first time in InDesign is go Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts… at the bottom of the menu and choose, obviously, Shortcuts for QuarkXpress 4.0. While you’re there you may want to remind yourself of the more useful ones. Command-shift-option- R whilst your type tool has clicked on text resets the paragraph style in the Paragraph Styles palette, getting rid of the +.
You can still use most of the keyboard shortcuts, including F7 to show and hide guides, command-shift , and . to increase and decrease both type and pictures within a box, command-option-shift ; and ‘ to increase and decrease leading by 1 point, command-option-shift [ and ] for tracking/kerning, command-option-shift - and = for baseline shift. (Shift) F5 for move to front (back). Command (PC Control) -I to view/hide text invisibles.
However, setting the Step/Repeat is command-option U, and opposed to command-option D in Quark. Whereas command- D is still duplicate.
There’s a speedy shortcut for editing text in InDesign (Illustrator users will be familiar with this). When you’re using either selection tool, just double-click on any text box—your cursor will immediately change to the Type tool.
Quark users migrating to InDesign will find the master page items behaving differently. Elements on master pages appear locked on the normal pages. To edit an item on a normal page, command-shift click on the object. Beware! This also moves the item to the front. Use layers to keep it behind other elements if that is desired.
I’ll give it a try now.
4 Responses to “For Quark users using InDesign for the first time”
InDesign rocks, dude
More InDesign articles would be great.
By Marc Fiszman on Dec 4, 2006
Yes, more InDesign to come. More Photoshop, Illustrator and, yes, Quark. Because Quark is not dead, contrary to what a lot of people may say, it just smells that way…
By Rob Cubbon on Dec 4, 2006
I’m just a beginner in DTP and publishing, but when I tried Indesign for the first time it was so natural maybe cause I know a bit of Photoshop and Illustrator. After a while I had to work in quark for a client,also for the first time and I have to say the truth “ Quark Sucks”. Maybe is just me, cause I usually work in Adobe but, Indesign is so organized, so easy to work with, I don’t know, I’m just a beginner. TRY IT.
What I love about Indesign are the Masters, this is a solution for elements that u want to keep still(like this u don’t have to lock them) and u can apply the master on many pages.
By webee on Mar 8, 2007
Thanks for the comment, webee. I’ve checked out your site and, wow, there’s a lot of useful stuff there. Will visit more later.
I’m not surprised you love ID and hate Quack if you’re well used to Adobe. Problem is, for old-timers like myself, before InDesign came there was only Quark for a long time, and we got used to it!
And, yes, I like the way InDesign locks master page elements on the page.
By Rob Cubbon on Mar 9, 2007