InDesign: Creating Fixed-Layout EPUBs

Course details

Create a fixed-layout EPUB with InDesign CC and preserve your design's integrity across multiple browsers and ereaders. In this course, Anne-Marie Concepción compares fixed-layout EPUBs to their "reflowable" counterparts; shows how to optimize your existing text and graphics to work in a fixed layout; and demonstrates how to add links, animations, slideshows, pop-ups, video, and sound to create richer and more interactive ebooks. She'll also walk you through the process of exporting and testing your EPUB, as well as opening the EPUB files after export in order to add some finishing touches that InDesign doesn't offer yet, like dual-orientation layouts and customized tables of contents.

Learning objectives
Examining files inside a fixed-layout EPUB
Checking fonts for EPUB readiness
Working with Typekit fonts
Creating and optimizing images
Creating a navigational TOC
Adding hyperlinks and cross-references
Animating objects
Creating buttons
Adding video and sound
Using the new EPUB Interactivity Preview panel
Exporting fixed-layout EPUBs
Testing and validating EPUBs
Editing EPUBs

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome
02 - Using the exercise files
03 - What you should know before watching this course

1. Overview of the Fixed-Layout Format

04 - Comparing fixed-layout EPUBs to flowable EPUBs
05 - Exploring fixed-layout EPUBs on the Kobo and the iPad
06 - Understanding the format's unique features and challenges
07 - Taking a look at the files inside a fixed-layout EPUB
08 - Assembling your toolset

2. Optimizing Text and Graphics for Fixed-Layout Export

09 - Exporting the existing layout to preview any problems quickly
10 - Understanding how InDesign converts graphic content
11 - Understanding how InDesign converts live text
12 - Checking your fonts for EPUB readiness and embedding privileges
13 - Working with Typekit desktop fonts
14 - Learning which typographical attributes are supported
15 - Creating and optimizing a cover image
16 - Creating a navigational table of contents (TOC)
17 - Using bookmarks instead of a TOC style for navigation

3. Adding Interactivity and Rich Media

18 - Interactivity and rich media overview
19 - Using the new EPUB Interactivity Preview panel
20 - Adding hyperlinks and cross-references
21 - Animating objects with the Animation panel
22 - Managing the sequence of multiple animations
23 - Creating buttons that trigger actions
24 - Adding pop-ups with Hide Show buttons
25 - Creating slideshows with multistate objects
26 - Adding animations from Adobe Edge Animate
27 - Converting rich media files with Adobe Media Encoder
28 - Adding video and sound files

4. Exporting to Fixed-Layout EPUB

29 - Choosing Options in the General section
30 - Understanding Spread Control options
31 - Reviewing options in the Conversion, CSS, and JavaScript tabs
32 - Entering metadata
33 - Adding apps to preview the EPUB

5. Previewing and Testing

34 - Devices and software that support the fixed-layout EPUB
35 - Using Dropbox to proof ebooks
36 - Adding the EPUB to a Kobo ereader
37 - Previewing on the desktop with the Readium browser extension
38 - Validating the EPUB

6. Editing the Finished EPUB

39 - Editing EPUBs - Tools and techniques
40 - Making a dual-orientation ebook for the iPad
41 - Linking to videos instead of embedding them
42 - Customizing the navigational TOC

Conclusion

43 - Resources and next steps