Understanding Adobe InCopy
Adobe InCopy is a word processing software program by Adobe Systems. The program allows users to quickly style, design, and copy-fit documents to publishing quality. InCopy also enables editors to change layout and add other visual features within a copy editing framework. In this article, we look at some of the key features of this software program.
What is InCopy?
InCopy is a powerful word pressing software program which is used to publish magazines and newspapers. As such, it’s widely used by editors and other professionals in the publishing industry. Though sold separately, InCopy can be integrated into Adobe InDesign, and like InDesign training courses, there are courses especially for InCopy users.
The latest version of InCopy is CS5.5. With an emphasis on style, font, and standard word processing features, InCopy CS5.5 also allows users to preview and edit documents to optimise layout.
InCopy Features
Integration
One of the major advantages of InCopy is that it’s integrated with design software (InDesign), which enables editors who need polished documents to integrate writing and editing with the design stage.
Writers can create documents directly in the InDesign layout. Furthermore, this can be done at the same time that designers are working on the InDesign layout. Graphics and words start out in the same document rather than being combined (or cut and paste into the document) at the very end, which can cause delays and significant revisions.
Choice of Page Views
There are a few different views available in InCopy.
- Galley View. This view basically allows users to view galley proofs in traditional typesetting.
- Story View. This view allows users to concentrate on the content rather than on layout or on the graphics. As such, this view is the one that’s most similar to traditional word processing software.
- Layout View. Text can be edited in context to design in this view.
Copyfitting
Another major advantage of InCopy is the precise copyfitting that the program allows. Users can review copyfitting data as they work and the Layout and Galley views enable a quick reedits if users overset.
Make Text Span Columns
For publications such as brochures, newspapers and magazines, being able to make text or headlines span columns can vastly simplify the writer’s role. While in traditional publishing this is usually done by the designer, InCopy has a tool that allows the writer to quickly edit text to make it span across two or more columns.
Track Changes
As with any word processing software program, InCopy incorporates a track changes feature that can be used to track text and design changes. Annotations can be made and saved, changes can be hidden, and any new changes can be rejected or accepted by user or individually.
Layers
Like a design program, InCopy allows users to hide or lock different layers or elements to better focus on just the text. In addition to enabling writers to work more effectively, this ensures that there’s no accidental alteration to the design features in any document.
This article is a quick overview of Adobe InCopy. Adobe courses focusing on InCopy are often the best way to obtain a solid grounding in the program.
