graphics in computer documentation

I'm trying to figure out the best way to handle graphics in a computer book. the book is generally two-column layout with the illustrations in the right column. sometimes the text flows to the right column as well. each chapter is a separate story and each indesign document is a complete story. if i insert text in the middle of a story, i would like the illustrations to move with the text they belong with. i don't know if it's worth the effort though. seems like anchored objects are a pain if the illustrations are not all the same size. i use screen shots saved as photoshop psd files. then i reduce the size to 50% in indesign so all the screenshots are the same relative size. finally, i crop the screen shots to show the part of the screen relevant to the discussion. any suggestions?
graphics in computer documentation
Spend more time with Anchored Objects. Set options for one file that work, then make that an Object Style so you can quickly apply the same settings do new images. You'll need to crop each image manually, or crop in Photoshop and use InDesign's Fit Frame to Content command (Control-Alt-C I think).



I also suggest putting each anchored object into its own paragraph and making that a Paragraph Style. You'll need to apply each style manually, once as text and once as an object (that can be improved). Making a Paragraph Style will make global spacing and Keep options easy.
graphics in computer documentation
It's not any more effort to anchor graphics (just plant the text cursor,

Place the graphic, and assign an object style) than to Place graphics

unanchored (do the same thing but without the text cursor).



The extra work comes in when you have to figure out what to do with

anchored graphics that are showing up at the top of a page with a big

empty space at the bottom of the previous page (or previous column).



I prefer designs that call out figures (like ''see Figure 12.4''). That

way you place Figure 12.4 as close as possible to its callout, but you

can allow a little text to flow in between them when that fills a hole.



--

Kenneth Benson

Pegasus Type, Inc.

www.pegtype.com

Ok i'm trying again to work with an anchored object. my layout has two columns and i want the graphic to appear in the right column (no facing pages). i've inserted an anchored object at the beginning of an existing paragraph because i don't understand what separate paragraph will do for me yet. i used anchored object options to position the graphic flush with the right margin of the page - hurrah! however, this graphic is a little larger than the right column so i need the text in the left column to wrap around the graphic. so right now i have two questions, how do i get the text to wrap? second question, i have the anchored object set to align to top of caps thinking that would align it to the top of the paragraph it is in but instead it is aligning to top of page margin - what should this be?

%26gt;how do i get the text to wrap?



Select object, enter options in Text Wrap panel. You can include the text wrap in an Object Style. Unfortunately there's a bug in InDesign that prevents the text wrap from affecting the first line of text in the same paragraph as the object. This is why I almost never use an Anchored Object within a paragraph and usually put the Anchored Object in a paragraph all by itself.



%26gt;i have the anchored object set to align to top of caps thinking that would align it to the top of the paragraph it is in but instead it is aligning to top of page margin - what should this be?






I'm glad it isn't just me! i have it wrapping on the other paragraphs. ok, i solved the problem with the gap between the real paragraphs of text by setting the graphic paragraph style to leading = 0. but now the graphic is on top of the paragraph above it.



Edit: i fixed it. i had to change the reference point when setting the y position.