InDesign CC Step and repeat user friendliness

With the Step and Repeat function in InDesign:
Currently when you enter a value in any of the three boxes (count/vertical/horizontal) and the value results in the objects not fitting on the page, you'll receive immediate feedback in the form of a pop up error box:
Cannot add objects beyond the bounds of the pasteboard. Please decrease the offset distance or reduce the number of duplicates.
You then have to click OK, or press enter to acknowledge.
It would be a lot more desirable for any error message to display only at the end of the process—AFTER you've click the Step and Repeat OK button.
It's extremely irritating to get regular warnings while you're trying to typing in the values, especially when you use step and repeat a lot.
Reguarly, I can even type in the first value Count without receiving an error (noting that the dialog box remembers Vertical and Horizontal values from previous use).

Thanks Peter. Yeah I never have the preview selected anyway.
Occassionally I still have to use Quark 8. The Step and Repeat doesn't have this annoyance.
Given Adobe's normally exemplary usability standards this one seems like a no-brainer to me.

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Step and repeat multi page pdf

so im still failry new to indesign.
im running cs5.5 and im trying to imposition a multi page pdf
it is a 110 page pdf and what i would like to do is place it( for example) 8up step and repeat
what i would like is 110 sra3 sheets with each sheet having 8 copies of 1 page per sheet (sheet size fits fine)
is there a way to automate this im to poor for quite atm and i cant manage to get it to work using rhimposition.
i could use the pace multi page and then go through step and repeat on each page but but but 110 pages

Another possibility is to run Scott Zanelli's script eight times, changing the position each time. You'll find the script at InDesignSecrets » Blog Archive » Zanelli Releases MultiPageImporter for Importing both PDF and INDD Files

Are there any plans to move the "Math Check" to AFTER the O.K. BUTTON is pushed on STEP AND REPEAT?

One of my pet peeves is that I have to clear all the fields in the STEP AND REPEAT dialouge box before I can begin entering information. I have been patiently waiting for this bug to be fixed. I am beginning to wonder if Adobe is even aware of the bug? It drives me nuts to no end!!! I am sure it is responsible for several points in my blood pressure reading on given days. I'll have an object selected that I need to step 7 times and I'll bring up the Step and Repeat dialouge box. I'll enter 7 in the COUNT field. InDesign will in some cases immediately flag the operation as not possible because there are numbers in the other two fields that I haven't had a chance to edit yet that will cause the step and repeat operation to go off the pasteboard. It makes me MAD because it changes my 7 back to a 1 and I have to go and put in the correct values for the VERTICAL and HORIZONTAL offset fields and then I have to go back up to the COUNT field and re-enter my 7. All of this and I haven't even hit the O.K. button yet!!! Can someone at Adobe pleeeeeeaaaaaase inform the programmers of this glitch and have them move the MATH CHECK to AFTER THE O.K. BUTTON is clicked! I wouldn't mind the message if the figures I entered were incorrect and I had hit the O.K. button. But it drives me absolutely insane when it starts trying to correct me before I've even finished entering my values!
Am I the only one?
I would love to hear from anyone else out there that gets frustrated from this. If for no other reason then to let me know I haven't completely lost my sanity yet.
Thanks.
Randy

O.K. Peter. I did go and file a report. I couldn't bring myself though to call it a feature request because I clearly believe it is a bug. A co-worker of mine and I had a long discussion about it. He argued your side of things suggesting that the program was working as the programmers intended for it to be and because of that I couldn't call it a bug. But, I contend that the program IS NOT working as the programmers intended for it to be because if you look at the OBJECT > TRANSFORM > MOVE item in InDesign it also brings up a dialogue box. This dialogue box also has a PREVIEW check box on it. If the PREVIEW check box is checked then it immediately evaluates the numbers as you enter them into the various fields. And if you enter an invalid number it will immediately present the error message. However, if the PREVIEW check box is left unchecked then it waits until you press the O.K. Button before evaluating the numbers and executing the move. The STEP AND REPEAT dialogue box should behave the same way but it doesn't. It behaves as if the PREVIEW check box is checked whether it is or not. So that is a BUG in my humble opinion.
Thanks for your help in pointing me to the correct form. I'm usually so busy working that I never have time to look that kind of stuff up.
Randy

Why the step-and-repeat function (command+d) isn't working in Illustrator CS5?

Why the step-and-repeat function (command+d) isn't working in Illustrator CS5?
I am trying this. Take an object, move it some inches on the right while holding the option key, so I duplicate it.
Usually, I pressed on command+d to duplicate this action on and on (duplicate the object and moving it some inches away), but now it is not working.
any idea?

kwakoo,
It may be time for the list:
The following is a general list of things you may try when the issue is not in a specific file, and when it is not caused by issues with opening a file from external media. You may have tried/done some of them already; 1) and 2) are the easy ones for temporary strangenesses, and 3) and 4) are specifically aimed at possibly corrupt preferences); 5) is a list in itself, and 6) is the last resort.
If possible/applicable, you should save current artwork first, of course.
1) Close down Illy and open again;
2) Restart the computer (you may do that up to at least 5 times);
3) Close down Illy and press Ctrl+Alt+Shift/Cmd+Option+Shift during startup (easy but irreversible);
4) Move the folder (follow the link with that name) with Illy closed (more tedious but also more thorough and reversible), for CS3 - CC you may find the folder here:
https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/preference-file-location-illustrator.html
5) Look through and try out the relevant among the Other options (follow the link with that name, Item 7) is a list of usual suspects among other applications that may disturb and confuse Illy, Item 15) applies to CC, CS6, and maybe CS5);
Even more seriously, you may:
6) Uninstall (ticking the box to delete the preferences), run the Cleaner Tool (if you have CS3/CS4/CS5/CS6/CC), and reinstall.
http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html

Step and Repeat Problem in CS3-Urgent!

I was working on a file, step and repeats was working just fine. Then suddenly within the same file it got messed up somehow.
Whenever I type in a decimal point (say 4.5) and I move on to the next field it will default to a higher number (say 5). It is not letting me do decimal points!
I did replace preferences (and yes I got the pop up on the start menu). And the problem is still there.
And it happens in all files, not just the one.
Please help, the MUST be working right or else I can't do my job!
CS3 5.0.4 Mac 10.5.8

Well, it wasn't. But I rebooted again (after replacing preferences) and so far it seems ok. Weird.
I'll post back up again if I have any problems.

Error message before all values are entered in Step and Repeat box

The Step and Repeat function seems to have a problem that it didn't have before.
(1st field REPEAT COUNT, 2nd field HORIZONTAL OFFSET, 3rd field VERTICAL OFFSET). It is not permitted to duplicate beyond the limits of the document or pasteboard, I understand that. But, if a large value is already entered, let's say 3' in the 3rd field and you enter 12 in the first, you will get an error message BEFORE YOU EVEN HAVE TIME TO COMPLETE ALL THE FIELDS AND THEN SAY OK. The reason I bring this up is that it was not this way before Leopard (or before CS3) and I suspect that it is either the Mac OS or CS3 that is causing problems. I should be able to enter all the values in the 3 fields (whatever was previously entered the last time), say OK then get a message if the values go overboard. Not before I even finish entering them!
Is this a known issue, or is it just me?
Thanks

It's a known issue with CS3 - I believe it existed in Tiger too.

Problem with Step and Repeat (transform)

Hi All.
I tried a search on this but came up with nothing, so if this has already been posted let me know.
In CS3 Illustrator: When I click on a horizontal line, and go to object/transform and key in a number such as -1p6, indicating that I want the line to repeat downward 1p6, the line instead repeats upward 1p6. I have tried using the ruler from point A to point B in a downward direction, but end up with horizontal rules that move upward.
What am I doing wrong? Or, is it the software? I had the same problem in AI 10, but not in previous versions of Illustrator.
I've been working with Illustrator almost as long as it's been around, so I'm pretty familiar with it. This is just an annoying problem that slows me down.
Thanks so much!

You're using the regular Move command, right? Object > Transform > Move (or Command - Shift - M, or hit the Enter key)? Then entering a negative number ( -1p6) in the Vertical field? And it moves the object up? Try trashing your prefs?

How to Step and Repeat around a circle or radius

For those looking for the simplest way to create multiple shapes evenly (equally) spaced around a center point, here's the only solution in Illustrator.
1. Begin by drawing two intersecting guidelines, centered on your page. Turn on Smart Guides (CTRL + U) so you can make sure you are aligning the finished product.
2. Draw the object you want to use. Center the object on the guidelines.
3. Drag the object away from the intersecting guidelines.
4. Draw a vertical line along the guideline. Make sure that it extends through your object.
5. Decide how many objects you want to create.
6. With the vertical line selected, double-click the Rotate tool (Object > Transform > Rotate...).
7. From the chart at the left, select the angle associated with the number of objects you want.
8. Enter that number and click the COPY button.
9. With the new line still selected, hit CTRL + D to repeat the duplicated line until it repeats completely around the circle.
10. Select the object. (Make sure Smart Guides is ON).
11. Click the Rotate tool.
12. First click the intersection of the guidelines to establish the rotation point.
13. Select the center point of the object and hold down the ALT key to move and duplicate the object.
14. Move the object until it intersects with the next line. You'll see Smart Guides say "Intersect".
15. Hit CTRL + D to duplicate the objects around the radius.
16. Delete the lines. You're DONE!

GRW,
here's the only solution in Illustrator.
There is (almost) always more than one solution.
Another one, or two:
1) Draw the object and place it somewhere appropriate (maybe at a certain distance below the lower left corner of the Artboard X=Y=0);
2) Draw a no fill no stroke circle with a centre appropriately aligned with the object (such as X=Y=0) and a diameter large enough for it to enclose the object, group with 1) or just select both;
3) One of the following performed on 1)+2):
3a) Object>Transform>Rotate inserting 360/N, where N is the number of items round the circle, repeat (Ctrl/Cmd+D) once less (delete the circles if desired);
3b) Effect>Distort & Transform>Transform, rotate similarly with one copy less (this requires grouping); Object>Expand Appearance if desired to have independent separate objects.
Some of the angles in the table are approximations and therefore inaccurate; 360/N is accurate.
A new Circle Thread is born.
Who is next?

What is the best way to use Step and Repeat?

I'm doing booklets, letterheads, business cards and more, with many that need to print on one sheet and then be trimmed in bindery.
The press is critical, and everything needs to be exactly placed or all the end result product will not be identical.
Here is one scenario that I'd like your comment on in order to get the best result.
I have a letterhead designed for standard letterhead size that will print 2-up on an 11x17 sheet. If I have the left hand side letterhead design elements in place and the correct distance from the gripper edge, how do I step those elements over, 8.5 inches to get the second letterhead in exactly the right position. My old way of doing this was to establish a center point and use guides to place the duplicate copy. I'm looking for a more 'mechanically accurate' way of letting Illustrator do the job right and faster than I can do it manually.
Thanks In Advance,
Ken

Piece of cake. Select your content and hit Enter - the Move dialog opens. Insert 8.5 in. in the Horizontal field and hit Copy. Set it up as an Action and invoke the whole thing from the keyboard.
If you don't want to copy, but just move it, hit OK instead of Copy.
If you want more than one copy, put the artwork in its own layer, target the layer, and use Effect - Distort & Transform - Transform. Insert a value for horizontal, and the number of copies, and hit OK. The advantage of this is that the copies are Effects - the copied objects are not really there (although they will be in a saved PDF) until flattened. Use a a template, and any changes to the original art will be reflected in the copies. New project? Just move the new artwork into the layer, and everything gets automatically copied.
If you want copies going vertically as well as horizontal, do the horizontal Transform Effect first, and with the art still selected, do a new Transform Effect, and put values in the Vertical field, and the number of copies.
Fun, heh?

Multiple lables Automatic Multiply and Repeat to 12 times in a A3

Hello there all, I've been running all over the net trying to find a solution to make my life a little easier without success so I was hoping that maybe somebody would have an idea of a better way to do this.
I make personalized Tea Labels for a client, 6 different labels per order.
I make these as separate pages in InDesign size 9 cm x 12 cm
Then I need to put each one into an A3 format repeated 12 times with cut lines and a unified background color and save and renamed as the label.
This is how I do it so far:
-          Create the pages in InDesign
-          Export to Acrobat
-          Acrobat > Extract pages as separate files
-          InDesign > Open an A3 Template with the PDF repeated as an image.
-          Replace the Image
-          Save rename and export to PDF
Any help or ideas are really appreciated
Thanks
Tiola

But you don't NEED to export at all.
Make up your 6-page file of one-up labels sized correctly.
Create a new large sheet file, also 6 pages, and add the trim marks and background color (if it's the same for all labels) to the master page, then add ONE frame in the upper left position on the master to hold one label image. Move to page 1.
File > Place.... and navigate to your one-up file. Show import options and pick all pages when you click OK. Hover the loaded cursor in the master frame area and click once to load the first label, then move to each successive page and repeat until you have one label on each page.
On each page, select the frame with the placed label and use Step and Repeat to make your grid.
Done.

TS1389 I tried all these steps and iTunes still won't let me play songs I paid for... Every time I authorize, it repeats that it's already authorized, but won't play because it's not authorized ... Catch 22

I tried all these steps and iTunes still won't let me play songs I paid for... Every time I authorize, it repeats that it's already authorized, but won't play because it's not authorized ... Catch 22

Delete and redownload them if doing so is free in your country.
(83692)

Some thoughts on trade-offs between usability and user-friendliness

I use Awesome as a window manager over LXDE. Recently, a friend of mine tried to use my laptop. The experience frustrated him somewhat--he managed to start the browser through the menu shortcut, but it opened out of sight under the "web" tag. Once he realized where it had gone (tags are clickable in Awesome), he had already managed to start several instances of it. Naturally, he tried to close them--first looking for the close window button which is not there, since I dont use title bars, and then trying alt+F4 to no avail (the default key command for closing a window in Awesome is super+shift+c). In desperation, he finally launched the terminal and used xkill to get rid of the redundant Chromium sessions.
The whole thing got me thinking. I find my system very usable--as I guess most of us Linux nerds do, as our systems are do-it-yourself projects to such a large degree. However, it is not exactly user-friendly. At the same time, I can navigate my confused friend's system quite well since he uses Gnome--a system that adheres more to the common desktop metaphor of e.g. Windows or OS X. However, I doubt I would be able to get around very well in some of the more minimalist *box setups so popular among Arch users (though, admittedly, it is probably easier to get the hang of a mouse-centered desktop than one that focuses on keyboard shortcuts). What I find interesting is that there is clearly a trade-off. If I was to build a system for more people than just me, I would probably go with Gnome, but I would not find it as usable as my current system.
Which brings me to my questions. Do others here share that experience? How do you go about managing it--different default sessions for different accounts, or a compromise that is more user friendly but less usable to you personally? Or do you force people to relearn and adapt to your preferred way of doing things (which might sound worse than it is--after all, if my way makes more sense once people adjust to it, then why not)?
Last edited by caligo (2010-03-12 09:53:01)

lolilolicon wrote:
mythus wrote:
While I understand your point, I have to fundamentally disagree with your subject. Having memory issues does not make someone brainless, and I overtly object to such. It would be just as bad as me saying people who think user friendly is for brainless creatures with no memory are elitist pigs *shrugs*.
Case in point, myself. I have memory issues. I didn't always have memory issues, having used to have a very sharp memory. But hey, getting hit by semi-trucks and having your head go through a windshield does some nasty things to your brain functions. Does me now having problems with remembering certain things all the sudden make me brainless? I sure don't think so, being that I am still able to think, process equations and goals, as well as teach myself new things and relearn forgotten things on a daily basis. It is just that most stuff I have to write down or print out and have in a huge binder in front of me at all times now. Having memory issues simply caused me to have to adjust to how I do things, not make me into a brainless creature. In fact it was after my accident that I came to try and use linux, and while I do have a certain need of the mouse at times, I also have my printed out shortcuts here at my disposal.
The lesson here, be careful of adding insults to posts when trying to make a point. Without that insult I could have easily agreed with your point.
I'm really sorry if it came out like that, I didn't mean that. My point was not at all about memory you know. I forget things too, and it happens often, and I'd curse myself if it were really bad.
I respect men like you. You managed to learn linux (and it was arch! ++), and resolve your issues, e.g. even you do forget sometimes your shortcuts, you still have your memory of them on the paper, plus backups of it. This is nothing like "brainless creators". What I meant by that was more about the lazy people who never know what they have.
I brought my mood to somewhere extreme, because I was feeling again the reasons why I switched to linux. It was the moment I decided I had been a lazy pig who had hated his computer but never had done anything about it.
s/it's for the brainless creatures who've got no memory/it's for the button lovers ;P/
Sorry mythus, I wish you all the best.
Thank you for your apology.
As I said earlier, I do agree with most of your points, it was just that one glaring sentence at the beginning which took on a role as the subject of your post, which I disagreed with. I do agree that the modern day idea of user-friendliness is for lazy people who don't wish to learn how to use a computer and simply want their computer to know what he/she wants to do and do it without any real input from them. Having to use all ten fingers versus one to two fingers is where that all boils down to. Just imagine having to actually sit up and make full use of both of your hands to use your computer instead of lean back in a recliner and rest your hand on a small plastic device, barely having to flinch your wrist and move your index finger. That is really where IMO the "User Friendly" systems of today are targeted. In reality, they aren't user friendly at all, but lazy friendly. Truly, I am still waiting for them to invent a mind reading device or a device that monitors your line of vision so that if you say.. look at the upper right side of a window it will close it for you, or if you open your eyes real big, it will full screen the window for you. *sarcasm intended*
For a system to be user friendly it has to be completely usable to it's principal user with little or no complications. The user should be able to do his or her work and other computer related activities without confusion and/or delay. Unfortunately, no two users are alike so the method that fits them best wouldn't work for everyone. However what does seem to work for the majority isn't necessarily a user friendly system, but a lazy friendly system that is familiar after generations of being presented the same UI.
It is also because of the lazy-friendly needs of a O/S so that it can be accepted by the largest amount of consumers possible (after all, it is all about money) that advancements and changes to the UI are sure to never come. At least from a corporation.... So you will always be faced with having to decide if you want your computer lazy-friendly and familiar for your friends/family, or user friendly for yourself.
BTW- I do not think that the mouse is a bad tool. It is a highly useful tool. It just should not be treated as a keyboard.

Firefox users cannot presently exercise choice, to opt-in or out of "data collected for improving services." As a result, Firefox is constantly dialing home, sometimes four times a day or more up to 48 times a day. There is some over-stepping and redunda

I understand the charter on this is to "check-in" once every time the program is turned on, and then once every 6 hours after that, or, once every 24 hours presumably. But the phone-home-effect is over-stepping these basic parameters. If a user turns their browser off and then on, Firefox is still obligated to "check-in" even if it just checked in 3 minutes prior. If the coding is not pre-designed to overstep, or act excessively in a redundant focus, the instance of once every six hours or once every 24 hours, is still overmuch if a user has been doing this (non-voluntarily-participating) for 9 months or longer.
== This happened ==
Every time Firefox opened
== This started when Firefox took up the initiative of "improving service. to end users" or similar idea, making the web safer for novice users, etcetera.

Opening question was truncated. Should read: "Firefox users cannot presently exercise choice, to opt-in or out of "data collected for improving services." As a result, Firefox is constantly dialing home, sometimes four times a day or more up to 48 times a day. There is some over-stepping and redundancy here. It would seem the practice of "improving service" has been accomplished with as much information as Mozilla has gathered in the last 6-18 months about its users habits. '''Isnt it about time to give users the option to opt out of that now that most the heavy liftiing has been accomplished?'''"

Steps to create User ID and assigne roles.

Hi,
What are the steps to create User ID using BAPI_USER_CREATE1.
How can I assign an User the role ECC/PORTAL/BI?
Thanks in Advance
Roy

Am not sure what type of BI server installation you have...
But here's one way you could create your users.
From the BI Administration Tool --> Open your repository either offline or online --> From the menu click on Manage --> Security--> Here's where you could create your users, groups etc., set what subject areas each user/group should have access to --> After creating your users/groups you could double-click on the user or group and set permissions.
Hope this helps,
-Esther

Can a workflow steps and users for the steps be controlled by contributors?

Is it possible to have a workflow that allows contributors to select list of steps and users in the steps? The universal set of steps and users for steps can be defined in the designer mode. But the contributors can decide for a particular content item what steps need to be skipped and the users for the step. But atleast one approver step is mandatory. This is some strange requirement that our client is expecting. Is this possible?
Regards,
Pratap

Hi Pratap,
Short answer: Yes. This has been possible since the Stellent 5.x days (and possibly earlier). We can help you with this if you need services - see our Workflow offerings here: http://bit.ly/b2Ydv6
Or you can do it yourself. For the details you should see "Setting Up Ad Hoc Step Users" in the workflow admin guide (pp 147, section 9-13) http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E10316_01/cs/cs_doc_10/documentation/admin/workflow_guide_10gr3en.pdf
Remember that a "step" is just a container for a certain group of users to take action on certain kinds of content. So you can have one step but if you loop over it 3 times with a different set of users each time you have a defacto 3 step workflow.
You need 2 things:
1) the workflow plumbing for the selection of the next "step" (and/or group of users) in the workflow (tokens and subworkflows typically)
2) a UI for the end users / contributors to actually make the selections.
For 1) you use tokens that will ultimately resolve to a list of user names who should take action. You might use names (e.g. bcripe) or aliases (e.g. The Legal Team) or other concepts that make sense to the end users who will be participating (e.g. capital expenditure review). Whatever you do the tokens will ultimately yield one or more user ids which become the step users.
For 2) you can use anything that will make those plumbing values available to the UCM workflow engine. Most common is using metadata fields. They're easy, can be displayed only during workflows (using rules and profiles), and fairly intuitive for most UCM users (if there are not too many!!!). However, you can just as easily write web services, BPEL tasks, or CIS integrations that take form or other triggered input from the user and pass those parameters back to the workflow engine. For more complex workflows this is often a good idea especially if you are dealing with people who are only casual users of UCM or who are interacting with content through another primary UI.
Either way, let us know what we can do to help. Workflows are a special passion to us here at Fishbowl and we've got supported software to prove it. http://bit.ly/95Rocu
Warmly,
Billy Cripe
Fishbowl Solutions

InDesign CC Step and repeat user friendliness

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