Adobe 27510753 - InDesign CS2 - PC Switching Manual page 46

Feathering edges
The Feather command (Object menu) lets you soften the outer edge of any object by fading it
from opaque to transparent. The controls in the Feather dialog box let you specify the distance
from the outer edge of the object over which it fades to transparent and add noise to give the
feathered edge a rougher, grainier texture.
These jellyfish were created in Illustrator and then placed into an InDesign layout in front of a blue background
frame. They are identical with one exception: a 9-point feathered edge—created in InDesign—is applied to the
one on the right.
Applying blending modes
Blending modes let you vary the ways colors of objects blend with the colors of underlying
objects. You can blend the colors between two overlapping objects by applying any of the 16
blending modes displayed on the Blending Mode menu in the Transparency palette (Window >
Transparency) to the frontmost object. If you're familiar with Photoshop blending modes, you'll
feel right at home applying blending modes in InDesign CS2.
The Blending Mode menu in the Transparency palette (Window > Transparency) provides several options for
changing colors where objects overlap. The Screen blending mode is applied to the jellyfish on the right.
Modifying opacity
The Opacity field in the Transparency palette (Window > Transparency) and its accompanying
slider let you vary the degree of transparency of the selected object or group from 100% opacity
(completely opaque) to 0% (completely transparent). When you decrease an object's opacity, the
underlying artwork becomes visible through the object, and the object becomes lighter.
When you apply an opacity value that's less than 100% to an object, underlying objects are visible through the
object. The jellyfish on the right has an opacity value of 50%.
Creating color swatches
InDesign CS2 includes two palettes for creating color swatches: the Swatches palette (Window>
Swatches) and the Color palette (Window > Color). You can control all document colors and gra-
dients in the Swatches palette. Use it to create, name, and store colors and gradients for instant
access. While the Swatches palette is the recommended palette for working with colors, you can
also mix colors by using the Color palette. You may be familiar with the Swatches and Color
palettes if you use other Adobe products, such as Illustrator.

Switching from PageMaker to InDesign CS2