InDesign - Multiple pages position

[Simeon.Brandner]

I have to create complexe design (for an elevator, see attached file) with a lot of different size and position.

I could create one spread and then create my design and then copy-past all each part on the spreads. But that is really annoying... I manages to create different spreads and arrange them aexactly as I want, but I have 11 pages and I can only arrabng 10 pages together. 

I wish we could arrange some more pages, that would be a real good feature.

Thansk,
Simeon

[SJRiegel]

Have you considered using Illustrator for this? It seems like it would be better suited for this kind of job.

[Simeon.Brandner]

Yes of course, in most case I would use Illustrator. But InDesign is better for some things. 

For exemple, there isn't the "layer options" from the image in Illustrator, where I can hide or show a layer (see attached). This is soooo useful, I don't understand why it's not also in Illustrator...

If I don't have any other option I'll use Illustrator, I just wanted to see if there is a better option.

[Simeon.Brandner]

And also, in Illustrator it's not adapted to work with imported PSD files that are very heavy, I have files that are all over 2Go... Not possible to put the rendering down like in InDesign.

Anyway, Illustrator is not made for this kind of work, InDesign is, but this feature of organising pages is just a bit "short".

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

You can, however, use Layer Comps from Photoshop. 

[Simeon.Brandner]

Hi, yes I can, but it's only when you import, not after (like in InDesign). I think that is not really efficient. And for this project I have to work with PSD files that are very big (around 4-5go), And Illustrator cannot manage that like InDesign. Illustrator is not made for that kind of heavy files. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Sorry if I'm missing something - but if contents of each element is constant - or just needs only little change/update - why can't you prepare groups of objects - and arrange them like puzzle pieces? With extra/variable info updated/on top if required?

You could even use Library option for easy storage and use in different documents.

Or even PDFs as pieces. 

[Laubender]

Hi @Simeon.Brandner ,

hm, did you consider to use placed InDesign pages on one big page?

FWIW: By scripting we were able to add more than 10 pages to one spread. That was in InDesign CS5 and CS5.5. But no more with InDesign CS6 and above. It also had a big flaw, exporting to IDML destroyed the arrangement.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Professional )

[Simeon.Brandner]

Hi,

Yes that was how I would do (create on a huge page and then when the client validated the design I would cut everything to pieces in another file). That's how I always do it, but I was curious if there is a more efficient way. Like using the pages and arrange them on one spread as I want. That is where I got to this limit of 10 pages per spreads.

Very interesting that script ! It's exactly what I need, well what Adobe should add in InDesign. Exporting to IDML wouldn't be a problem for this project as I have to send PDF files to the printer only.

I don't think I'll get any better option for now.

The only option is that Adobe add this to InDesign 😉

Thanks for the answers !

Simeon

[Laubender]

Hi @Simeon.Brandner ,

below a download to a document with 12 pages per spread that I once did with InDesign CS5.5 using a script:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7qh0ws7qmyj52uo/FirstSpread-12pages-Converted-2022.indd?dl=1

You could adapt the page sizes with the Page Tool. Just tested that.

Use the document at your own risk!

Do all your work with a duplicate of the document.

Note: You will NOT BE ABLE to duplicate the spread with the 12 pages in InDesign 2022!

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Professional )

[Simeon.Brandner]

Thanks !

Will try it.

[Mike Witherell]

but I have 11 pages and I can only arrange 10 pages together. I wish we could arrange some more pages, that would be a real good feature.

Could you explain more fully what this means? Why work this way instead of separate pages?

[Simeon.Brandner]

So for exemple when we have to create design for a store's window or some very complicated layout, with cuts and non-printable space between...

I need to export the final printing file on seperated pages (everything is cut to pieces) but to create the layout I need to have everything on one page. Otherwise the client cannot understand anything, he has to validate and give feedback.

So the technique I have now is to work on one page, show the client, he approves (after some feedback of course...) and then I have to breacksown everything on a new file each piece on each page.
That means I have to cut the images exactly where they are cut. Some space might not be printable. So a lot of different rules I have to follow (always depending on the support). 

This works fine, it's just very time consuming.

The second technique that is better is to create all the pages according to the specifications and place them exactly where they need to be. I can event meve a page to have a non-printable space for exemple. It's really great !

This way is great because :
1. I can export the whole spread to show the client.

2. I can export page per page for the final printing file to produce.

3. There is only one file that I need to create.

4. I can do that in InDesign, because doing it in Illustrator is not a good option (mention previously).

The problem I have today is that I had a prject where the whole area was cut into a lot of different pieces (pages) more then 10. Attached you can see that I made the layout of each page but the last one I cannot add, it should be on the right.

The limit of 10 pages per spreads is to low in this case.

I would need more sometimes.

hope my explication is clear, it's complicated to explain.

Simeon

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Your 1st approach - can be automated by script - you would need to use guidelines or mark shapes on additional layer to tell the script how to cut it into pieces.

As long as you have access to InDesign on PC - i can do it.