InDesign CC [2019] shows solid growth
As usual, Adobe continues to do good work on their apps. In fact, InDesign CC [2019] shows solid growth which is remarkable on such a mature piece of software. Again, there’s virtually nothing done to help to publish ePUBs and no direct tie-in to KDP. As I’ve said many times, Kindle has fallen behind in many areas. But then most people are publishing straight from Word. I could write pages about such short-sightedness. But it wouldn’t change anything or bless anyone.
The changes are each for a limited niche
This is probably copied from somewhere. I have a hard time getting excited about these things any more.
Import comments from PDFs
Feedback on PDFs created in InDesign CC 2019, can now be imported back for review — making it easy to collaborate with multiple stakeholders. But I never do that, so you’ll need to tell me how much it helps you.
Layout adjustment
Text and graphics reconfigure in a click when you change the size of your document. It has improved a little. However, I still do it manually, to control the process.
Properties Panel
Get access to the right controls, right when you need them thanks to an easier, more intuitive interface. But they are almost all in the Control Panel which I use intensively.
Content-Aware Fit
Images are automatically resized and fitted to remain in focus, with this new feature powered by Adobe Sensei machine learning. Never, I repeat, Never let images be processed automatically. It always causes trouble, usually immediately—but always, sooner or later.
Visual font browsing
We’ve made it easier to browse different font classes to find the right font faster. And you can now choose from different sample text options, too. I suspect this is good if you don’t know what you have available.
Design with SVG color fonts
Design with fonts that include multiple colors, gradients, and transparencies thanks to support for SVG OpenType fonts. These fonts are slowly becoming available. I’ve found nothing I actually use yet.
Footnotes in tables
Now you can create footnotes in tables and import them from Word documents. I can’t remember ever needing this one.
Spacing between paragraph styles
Now it’s easier to adjust the spacing between consecutive paragraphs which share the same style. This is the most useful feature for me.
More accessible Adobe Fonts
Easily see and activate the thousands of fonts within the app. Preview the selected font in your project, even if it’s not activated. Of course, they are probably not free in all cases.
Customize PDF forms
Now you can change the look and feel by choosing the fonts in exported PDF forms. Good.
Instructions for printers
Simplify the exporting process by choosing whether or not to include packaging instructions for printers. Nice.