indesign - changing font colour

[kerrysmagicshirt]

i know i know this should be the simplest function ever - don't tell me.

i've been forced to make the transition from Quark - and not by choice let me tell you. but what should be simple click on the T (where fill colour (i'm english not dyslexic) usually is) and select colour dosen't work. doing this only alows me to select from grey scale. i've tryed everything.

The only way i seem to be able to change the text colour is by going into swatches and ganging it there - but this means i'm limited to the ammount of colours i have my document.

:confused:

[PersonasBinar]

Select the text, the foreground colour becomes the 'T' clicking the T doesn't that bring the colour pallete. I'll check when I get to work. You shouldn't have to make a swatch. How about Window.... colour?

[kerrysmagicshirt]

yeah it brings up the colour pallete but i can only choose between white and black - if i select a colour from swatches then go onto the colour tab it allows me to select between white and selected swatch colour!!

[PersonasBinar]

hmm I'll get back to this once at the office. Couple hours

[kerrysmagicshirt]

thanks ever so -

by using the swatch method of doing things i've used web colours so i can get them nice and vibrant - in the thumbnail they are but not on the document on screen - or in print?
this isn't just with the web colours though. i'm thinking something might be going on with my preferences, but can't see anything obvious.

[PrintDriver]

Are you using Indesign for a printed piece?

I'd recommend setting up your swatches by using pms callouts to make color matching easier. If you are going by what it looks like on your monitor, unless it's calibrated, you are in for a printing shock.

You shouldn't be using web colors for print.

Select the T and go to the color palette. Hit the tip arrow and select CMYK (or RGB if by any chance in a million years you are printing to a Lambda or Lightjet). That should give you a color bar.

Again, selecting colors from the bar does not make it easy for your print vendor to guess them.

[jlknauff]

You shouldn't have to make a swatch. How about Window.... colour?I seem to remember needing a swatch...perhaps an older version of ID?

[PrintDriver]

Unless it's InD v1 or something, they all (v2, CS, CS2) bring up the color bar by using the tip arrow.

[PersonasBinar]

Yea, I just double clicked the T and there's my colour palette

[kerrysmagicshirt]

i'm using CS version
I have no idea what a PMS (sounds like something us girlies get) callout is.
I'm designing a flyer - see i've moved to a shared office where everything is set up for you it's a laser colour printer - new i guess, not in the office now but if the model makes a difference i can get that tomorrow.

[Digital Redesign]

I think what's happening is that the color pallette is only showing black -> white gradient, and you really need to click on the "menu arrow" and then select "cmyk"
It's moderately annoying I know, but as a side note; It's nice to see Quark dying slowly, as I still refuse to learn it.

[kerrysmagicshirt]

nope - i can't see any way in the colour palette to switch between cmyk or rgb. it already seems to be in cmyk though as it says [black] c=0 m=o y=0 k=100

clicking on the T does take me to the colours palette - just there is no colour in it

What a mare.

[kerrysmagicshirt]

scrap my last message - i got it - i knew it would be annoyingly easy. sorry didn't know what Personasbinar ment by tip arrow.

you refuse to learn what, indesign or quark?

I love Quark - it might be more expensive but at leat it does what you ask it to. Then again I have a tendency to chuck my dummy away if i don't know how to do or use something, so i'll give Indesign a little more time (you may look forward to many more idiotic questions from me).

[PersonasBinar]

And you shall recieve more unclear, vague answers......lol

[kerrysmagicshirt]

lol, cheers for that!! - now what was that about PMS callout - I really need to get my colours in print to be exactly as i want them or do you want me to start a new thred for this? - so others too can find the way.

[PrintDriver]

<Banging head on desk>

PMS = Pantone Matching System.

Since this is such a basic concept of design, I'm rather concerned you haven't heard of it.

Please go to Pantone's web site and check it out.
Maybe Morea can dig up an old thread I know was around here somewhere that explains PMS use. I don't have the patience today for the random way the Search function works for me.

[kerrysmagicshirt]

OWCH - i've used pantone reference books in the past just never heard the term PMS. Will check thier site. but i guess i should order myself a colour catalogue.

what about importing illustrator graphics though - the colours have gone slightly pastel ish.