Comments on: Episode 47: Paste Remembers Layers…Very Well

By: Eugene Tyson

Eugene Tyson — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:25:18 +0000

Hi Bjarne,

I answered another question similar to your own on a forum just moments ago.

Where you can’t copy a layer from one document to another you can move them without ever using Paste Remembers Layers.

In CS3, with both my original document and the document I was moving the layers to open. I simply right clicked on my Pages Panel. Selected Move Pages, and from the drop down menu I selected the document I was moving my layers.

I then selected the page range of what I was moving, low and behold, all the styles came over, all the master pages used, and all the layers, in tack.

I don’t know of any of the ramifications of having similar style names, master pages, swatches etc. I haven’t delved that far into it.

But yes, you can move a range of pages over to another document, and any layers associated with it are moved too.

What’s really needed, I think is a sub menu in this to control what you move, i.e., swatches, layers, master pages or et al things.

Hope this helps.

By: Klaus Nordby

Klaus Nordby — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:40:25 +0000

Thanks, Michael, a great show — as usual!

By: Bjarne

Bjarne — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:13:43 +0000

Hi! Some great stuff this time. However, outside the US, where things very often are published in many countries and different languages, we REALLY miss the ability to copy a layer from one document to another - all pages, not just one at the time. I find that many companies have a workflow where they create an english master - send it out to the countries involved - and get the translations back. Many documents…same layout…same colour plates…but they can not be merged into one doc with all languages in different layers (or can they???).

By: Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 03:52:26 +0000

Tom — The method you’re using now is probably what I would have recommended you use if your printer insists on you setting up printer’s spreads. Personally, I think any printer who insists you provide printer’s spreads is passing on to you work that they should be doing. There’s no reason I can think of (and I don’t claim to know everything) why a printer can’t accept single-page PDFs, which are each named starting with the page number (001, 002, 003, etc.) and do their own imposition. You could also try placing the INDD file itself (if you’re using CS3).

By: tom kash

tom kash — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:07:10 +0000

Michael: HELP! Is there a way to turn reader spreads for a magazine into printer spreads and name each document differently. Our press needs a code from our naming convention from the documents we send to plate. But the system we use is a bit inefficient. Currently, We place individual pdf’s into printer spread docuements. So for a 64 page magazine, we are sending 32 spreads.

tom k.

By: Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:01:21 +0000

Paste Remembers Layers…Very Well, in InDesign CS2 also!

You can also use this feature with InDesign templates and then resize as needed or use document custom page sizes for frequently used sizes.

By: Mads Hensel

Mads Hensel — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:15:08 +0000

Hey, Michael. Thanks for some great podcasts.

I found a little shortCut that you might all ready know but anyway. When you make a new layer, press the alt-key, then the naming info boks comes up right away. I finde it a nice handy feature to not forgetting to naming your layers right away. And saving a click!!

Thanks again, cheers Mads

By: Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:45:38 +0000

Bill — Thanks so much for sharing this with everyone. It’s a great productivity enhancing method that I recommend everyone try to fit into their arsenal of good InDesign habits. As for mistaking efficiency for laziness, I often refer to myself as “the hardest working lazy person I know” because I don’t ever want to do anything I don’t have to…or let tedious tasks get in the way of things I’d rather be doing. Time is too valuable to waste.

By: Bill Bowman

Bill Bowman — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:27:49 +0000

I keep a library called “Client Pallets”. The first library item is simply two custom spot colors that I use as a spot gloss varnish and a spot matte varnish as well as my preferred layer structure.

The following library elements are unique, one for each client and contain their corporate colours in addition to my preferred layer structure. Sometimes I even add their logo or boilerplate info. I often include include a text box or an item with a object style applied so that paragraph styles, character styles and any object styles come along for the ride too.

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Michael kindly pointed out that his Episode 17 podcast covers this – so if you missed it, go there now and check it out. It’s okay we’ll wait.
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This approach is a real timesaver and hopefully that will translate into more $$$ in your pocket! It also ensures that every document begins it’s life with a good layer structure and it promotes consistency from both a design and production standpoint.

When I last taught this trick, one of my students accused me of simply being lazy. I replied “I’m not lazy, I’m efficient… there’s a difference! When I’m efficient, I’m working quickly and when I’m working quickly, I’m making money!”

(okay, I am a bit lazy, but that can stay between us…right?)

As usual another fine job Michael!

Cheers, Bill

By: Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:42:26 +0000

Twist my arm, Brendan! I have no sway with Adobe in Australia (or anywhere else for that matter), but I’ll go anywhere overseas if someone with deep enough pockets is willing to foot the bill.