Colecandoo

21/01/2025

Block shadows are back in fashion... for now. Illustrator can do these with some effort, but a less effort method (or two) does exist.

Block shadows are back in fashion... for now. Illustrator can do these with some effort, but a less effort method (or two) does exist.

30/12/2024

Converting type to outlines in a PDF - why I thought adding a checkbox like this to InDesign's PDF export would be helpful.

Converting type to outlines in a PDF – why I thought adding a checkbox like this to InDesign’s PDF export would be helpful.

14/11/2024

About to try InDesign's MathML for the first time? Just know that it isn't a Microsoft Word Equation converter, but it will do what you want.

About to try InDesign’s MathML for the first time? Just know that it isn’t a Microsoft Word Equation converter, but it will do what you want.

03/11/2024

One year after my first parody piece about "new features" in InDesign, let's see what actually made it to 2025, what's in the works, and what didn't make the cut.

One year after my first parody piece about “new features” in InDesign, let’s see what actually made it to 2025, what’s in the works, and what didn’t make the cut.

29/10/2024

Go down the rabbit-hole of trying to "fancify" InDesign's QR Codes using Adobe Illustrator's Action Panel.

Go down the rabbit-hole of trying to “fancify” InDesign’s QR Codes using Adobe Illustrator’s Action Panel.

22/10/2024

Seen warnings about missing images (even though there aren't any) when using Data Merge to Single Records free or pro since upgrading to InDesign 2025? Get the patched free version or get in touch to receive the patched pro version.

Seen warnings about missing images (even though there aren’t any) when using Data Merge to Single Records free or pro since upgrading to InDesign 2025? Get the patched free version or get in …

03/10/2024

Need to change a spot colour name in a PDF but don't have Enfocus Pitstop? Change it in Acrobat using Preflight Fixups.

Need to change a spot colour name in a PDF but don’t have Enfocus Pitstop? Do it in Acrobat using Preflight fixups!

20/08/2024

Incrementing a variable bar graph in InDesign: blending two data merge techniques to create a third and fourth technique.

incrementing a variable bar graph in InDesign – taking two data merge techniques and blending them to make a third and fourth technique

14/08/2024

My (very kind and patient) supervisor has been going through some tough work challenges at the moment with the implementation of a new press, an office move, etc... but outside of work there is a battle that no-one should have to face that affects a family member of hers.

In short, there is a gofundme that will go towards a safe wheelchair that I will link to here:

Hi, my name is Millie and I’ve recently been diagnosed with Functional Neurological Diso… Amelia Taras needs your support for Millie’s fight to stand again

05/08/2024

On August 15 at 4.00pm Pacific Time, I will be presenting my session "Things you didn't know data merge could do" to the Los Angeles InDesign User Group (LAIDUG).

Coming up on August 15 at 4.00pm Pacific Time, I will be presenting my session “Things you didn’t know data merge could do” to the Los Angeles InDesign User Group (LAIDUG). While …

05/08/2024

Colin Flashman, Editor of Colecandoo, takes the podium on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 4:00 PT to speak on "Things You Didn’t Know Data Merge Could Do."

The presentation is FREE on Zoom although donations are accepted to help pay our expenses. FREE raffle for Adobe Creative Cloud and other prizes. Presented by LAIDUG: The InDesign User Group. Sponsored by the Adobe Community Experts Program. http://laidug.eventbrite.com

In addition to being an expert in Data Merge techniques, Colin is known for his October 2023 satire "New Features in InDesign 2024 and About Time Too!" https://colecandoo.com/2023/10/19/new-features-in-indesign-2024-and-about-time-too/?mc_cid=1162247dd5&mc_eid=72d97abdf0

29/07/2024

https://creativepro.com/making-variable-bar-graphs-in-indesign-with-data-merge/

https://colecandoo.com/2024/07/29/why-variable-bargraphs-were-my-white-whale/

My journey with bar graphs and InDesign Data Merge – a technique that now takes one character style and one excel formula!

22/07/2024

Hurry Cover 3: Indiscripts' latest release for easily creating soft cover or hard cover artwork in InDesign.

Hurry Cover 3: Indiscripts’ latest cover creation script for Adobe InDesign.

16/07/2024

My take on the CreativePro Week 2024 conference in Washington DC

My take on the 2024 Creative Pro Week in Washington DC

23/03/2024

One more example of adjusting a PDF in a text editor to adjust view settings of a PDF that can be fixed in Acrobat, but not before creating the issue in the first place....

One more example of adjusting a PDF in a text editor to adjust view settings of a PDF that can be fixed in Acrobat, but not before creating the issue in the first place.

13/02/2024

I conducted a survey to work out what users are doing now that Pantone Color Libraries aren't in Creative Cloud and what I found out surprised me.

I conducted a survey to work out what users are doing now that Pantone Color Libraries aren’t in Creative Cloud and what I found out surprised me.

26/01/2024

Need to know spot colours in a logo but only been given an RGB PDF? Perhaps opening it in a text editor may yield results.

Need to know spot colours in a logo but only been given an RGB PDF? Perhaps opening it in a text editor may yield results.

06/11/2023

Latest post for just released - variable bar graphs NO GREP REQUIRED, NO CHARTWELL REQUIRED:

Learn how to make bar graphs in InDesign, using an Excel formula, Data Merge, and a character style