Efficient task management in Adobe InCopy

Adobe InCopy plays a crucial role in the world of graphic design and editing, especially when it comes to collaboration between graphic designers and editors. In this tutorial, you will learn how to efficiently manage tasks, check out content correctly, and finalize projects. Through so-called check-in and check-out processes, it is explained how you can ensure that all participants have access to the necessary information at all times without getting into conflicts.

Key Takeaways

• The check-in and check-out process is essential for working with InCopy.
• It is important to select content from the workflow before making changes.
• Sending tasks and content can be done efficiently via email or FTP.
• The ability to package content ensures that nothing is lost during transfer.
• At the end of the project, the connection between InDesign and InCopy should be disconnected to avoid changes.

Step-by-Step Guide

To efficiently manage your tasks in Adobe InCopy, follow these steps:

1. Check out content

To start editing your text, you must first check out the content from the workflow. When you click into a text frame with the text tool, you will see that the content is available. Click on the corresponding button to check out the content.

2. Make text changes

Once you have checked out the content, you can make the desired changes to your text. The text tool allows you to adjust paragraph formatting or correct errors. The system recognizes that you want to make a change and opens the relevant editing options.

3. Check in content

After completing your changes, you must check in the content again. Click the "Check In" button to save all changes made. All other users working on this layout will now be informed that you have modified the content and can incorporate the updates into their layout.

4. Send tasks

If you want to pass the task to the editing team, you can do so in two ways. You can either manually save the document and notify the editors, or send the task directly via email or FTP. Choose the "Package InCopy" function in the assignment palette to prepare the task for the editors.

5. Send as email attachment

After packaging, you can send the task as an email attachment. Your email program will open, and you can insert the necessary recipients and subject lines before sending the email. This method ensures that the task reaches the editing team directly.

6. Cancel package

If there are issues with delivering your email or releasing the task, you can cancel the package at any time. This will restore access to the content, allowing you to continue working as if nothing happened. Go to the assignment palette and select "Cancel Package".

7. Remove content

After canceling the task, it is important to also delete the associated content. This prevents the editing team from working with outdated information. You can now either start with new content or re-export the affected files.

8. Insert corrections

Once the editing team has worked on the task, you will receive the updated file back. Open the file in InDesign to see the changes. It is important to have a precise overview of the changes made to ensure that everything is correctly integrated into the final layout.

9. Disconnect from InCopy

Before getting the print approval, you should disconnect the link between InCopy and InDesign. This ensures that no further changes are made to the texts while you prepare the final layout. In the "Links" palette, select the relevant content and click on "Unlink".

10. Final Review

Before printing, you should review all contents and corrections again to ensure that everything looks as desired. This is the crucial point where the quality of your work ultimately shows.

Summary

In this tutorial, you have learned how to master working with InCopy and ensure that all contents are efficiently managed. From selecting and checking out contents to sending tasks and disconnecting the link between InCopy and InDesign – every step is important to ensure a smooth project completion.