Skip to main content
J
Joe_Caldwell
Inspiring
September 23, 2018
Answered

Custom Zoom tool increments?

  • September 23, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 8161 views

Hello,

I would like to modify the Zoom tool so the increment between steps is less than 25%, which appears to be its default. I have tried to find a way to change it in InDesign (I am running the latest version, InDesign CC 13.1) including the Preferences panel but haven't had any luck. I have also found posts in this forum and others dating back to 2011 that include a script and some steps to customizing the way InDesign works. Considering we are in 2018 and I am sure a number of users must have encountered the same limitations I have, I am hoping Adobe has decided to offer a simpler way for users to adjust this tool.

How can I change the increment used by the Zoom tool without having to deal with scripts and/or any form of programming?

Thank you in advance.

    Correct answer Eugene Tyson

    Because the teams are different. It's well known that the teams have different priorities and one team might implement a zoom feature one way, and another team might have to implement it a different way, it could be how the architecture of the software works.

     

    Best place to ask for this is here

    https://indesign.uservoice.com/

     

     

    4 replies

    L
    Community Expert
    LaubenderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 25, 2021

    Exact steps? What would you prefer?

    That would require writing some scripts or changing some existing scripts.

    Look up Erica's link to that article.

     

    The basic code is really simple as that:

    try {app.layoutWindows[0].zoomPercentage = 130; } catch (e) { };

    It sets the zoom of your active layout window to the zoom percentage with value 130.

     

    The try catch around is there, because you should get no error if something is going wrong, like there is no layout window, because no document is open or other circumstances one cannot foresee.

     

    Save a scripf file from it, store it in the Scripts panel and apply a keyboard shortcut.

     

    Well, that script code above is a bit static and one-dimensional, it executes only one percentage value.

     

    One could also write one that reads out the current zoom percentage, steps to the next full percentage or other variations so in the end you have a tool that increases or decreases zoom percentages in steps you define, like 10% perhaps or with a predefined array of steps. All doable.

     

    Maybe there is already a script like that waiting for you on the web?

    Hm. Didn't write Marijan Tompa such a thing about 12 years ago for InDesign CS5 ?

     

    Regards,
    Uwe Laubender

    ( ACP )

      T
      TheDigitalShaman
      Known Participant
      June 25, 2021

      IrfanView has it from ... i dont know. 15 years now? Done by a one person.

       

      Adobe, come on. It's silly.

        T
        TheDigitalShaman
        Known Participant
        June 25, 2021

          L
          Community Expert
          LaubenderCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          June 23, 2021

          Hi bananabananab,

          I can zoom to every increment fluidly if I hold the Alt key and use the mouse wheel.

          Also with PhotoShop and Illustrator. What do I want more?

           

          ( I'm on Windows 10. This should also work on Mac OS with an appropriate mouse. )

           

          Regards,
          Uwe Laubender

          ( ACP )

          T
          TheDigitalShaman
          Known Participant
          June 24, 2021

          You joking?

           

          It sets some random % of zoom.

          18.33%

          then 20.17%...

          T
          TheDigitalShaman
          Known Participant
          May 13, 2021

          How many years Photoshop is on the market?

           

          Why this is still not implemented?

            E
            Community Expert
            Eugene TysonCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
            Community Expert
            May 13, 2021

            Because the teams are different. It's well known that the teams have different priorities and one team might implement a zoom feature one way, and another team might have to implement it a different way, it could be how the architecture of the software works.

             

            Best place to ask for this is here

            https://indesign.uservoice.com/

             

             

            B
            bananabananab
            Participant
            June 23, 2021

            Hmm, very bad answer, how many different ways are there to implement custom zoom levels..?!! Currently I can only zoom to 100% or 150%, NO IN BETWEEN!? Surely just add a 'command option +' to zoom in smaller increments, or even better simply allow custom number input zoom level to any percent...  Ridiculous that this is the accepted answer!

              Erica Gamet
              Erica Gamet
              Inspiring
              September 24, 2018

              You can write your own little scripts for each zoom amount, using the steps here (scroll to User Scripts): https://smallbusiness.chron.com/change-magnification-increments-indesign-52945.html
              It's for Windows...on a Mac you can use text edit instead of Notepad and get the same results. I haven't read through this for a while. But once you create scripts for the zoom level you need, you can create keyboard shortcuts for those scripts from the Edit menu, under Keyboard Shortcuts.

                Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
                Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices