How to convert a large document into a InDesign Book w/Chapters?

Question

Hello!
I just started a position with a company that has a number of catalogs full of the widgets they sell. Previously the catalog work was outsourced to a company that uses Quark, and the first thing I did when I started was to convert them to InDesign using a 3rd party plugin.
The one I'm working on now is 400+ pages, including a TOC and 2 indexes (words / item nos.), and is currently 4 VERY large files that take 5-10 minutes each to open.
What I'd like to do is split the entire catalog along logical lines into a bunch of 10-50 page documents, then stitch them all back together as Chapters in a Book file. The plan is to have the smaller documents be usable either as stand-alone brochures or as pieces of the big catalog. Once I can get it all organized the way I want, I'll be redoing the TOC and indexes as well.
So, to boil it down to a few questions:
1. How do I split a large document into smaller pieces?
2. I have a basic understanding of creating a Book file, but are there any pitfalls I should watch out for when stitching the bits back together?
3. Is it possible to have page numbering automated so that if I open a chapter on its own the pages will be, say, 1-20; but if I open it in the context of the book file the pages will be, say, 84-104?
4. Are the page numbering, TOC, and indexing tools flexible enough to where if I modify a section such that it adds or removes pages in that section, the entire book file will restructure to accommodate?
A thousand thanks in advance to all who read this, and to any who respond!

Answer 1

S_Atwood wrote:
Hello!
I just started a position with a company that has a number of catalogs full of the widgets they sell. Previously the catalog work was outsourced to a company that uses Quark, and the first thing I did when I started was to convert them to InDesign using a 3rd party plugin.
The one I'm working on now is 400+ pages, including a TOC and 2 indexes (words / item nos.), and is currently 4 VERY large files that take 5-10 minutes each to open.
What I'd like to do is split the entire catalog along logical lines into a bunch of 10-50 page documents, then stitch them all back together as Chapters in a Book file. The plan is to have the smaller documents be usable either as stand-alone brochures or as pieces of the big catalog. Once I can get it all organized the way I want, I'll be redoing the TOC and indexes as well.
So, to boil it down to a few questions:
1. How do I split a large document into smaller pieces?
Saving x-number of copies as new names, then chop off the unwanted parts is pretty efficient.
2. I have a basic understanding of creating a Book file, but are there any pitfalls I should watch out for when stitching the bits back together?
Nothing specific, other than learning the ins and outs of working with book files. For example, if you change a style in one file, you'd want to use the Synchronize feature to propagate the change to the other files, but you'd also need to remember if any change in one file shouldn't be propagated to others, and deselect it in the Synchronize dialog box.
It's a good idea to open all and save all book files before doing any book-wide operation; even better to save the whole directory for safety. Working on open  files gives you some undo powers that working with closed files doesn't.
3. Is it possible to have page numbering automated so that if I open a chapter on its own the pages will be, say, 1-20; but if I open it in the context of the book file the pages will be, say, 84-104?
The individual files need to be checked and perhaps updated or have their numbering restarted when they're removed from the book file's control. It depends on how you've set up the numbering.
4. Are the page numbering, TOC, and indexing tools flexible enough to where if I modify a section such that it adds or removes pages in that section, the entire book file will restructure to accommodate?
A thousand thanks in advance to all who read this, and to any who respond!
Both TOC and Index have check boxes to include all files in the current book. You need to update the TOC, and generate the index again with Replace Existing Index checked, after making changes.
HTH
Regards,
Peter
Peter Gold
KnowHow ProServices