How do you pass the time on a cross-country flight from Philadelphia to California? Viewing Total Training for Adobe InDesign CS, of course. Doesn't everybody? Adobe software expert and professional designer Steve Holmes is always a treat to watch in the the Total Training series to learn how to use Adobe's latest Creative Suite software. I am not a graphics designer and the little I know, I learned in QuarkXPress. I was eager to learn InDesign because Adobe is one of my favorite companies and I am familiar with their outstanding products.

This program consists of 4 DVDs with a project file CD-ROM for you to follow along with Steve's lessons. You copy the project files to the hard drive and then use them with the DVD lessons. There are 12 hours of solid instruction, which you can follow at your own pace using the project files. Needless, to say I had to finish watching the series when I got home.

InDesign CS is an application for professional design and layout. Steve shows you how to set up a page, use type formatting and effects, advanced graphics and output. The integration with the other Adobe creative software is seamless and elegant. Better transparency and typographical controls, easier to create tables, and updated management for workspace are some of the enhanced features in InDesign CS. The lessons in this series offer better understanding of those features and their skillful use.

I found Lesson 7: Color to be very interesting. Color is always a challenge for the print professional, but in this series Steve teaches the power for managing it. His goal is to specify color correctly "to ensure accurate separation and expected results when printing your work." In his 15 years experience, he explains that he always uses a color guide, specifically the Pantone Color Swatch books—the Spot one for special colors and the Process one to accurately mix CMYK colors within the program for his artwork. This accomplishes two things: It offers more confidence in printing accuracy and it minimizes errors. There are 30 minutes of training for color alone. The chapter covers Creating and Editing Color Swatches, Pantone Spot Color Swatches, Color Replacement, Creating Tint Swatches, Mixing Process & Spot Colors, and Creating Gradients. If you're migrating from QuarkXPress or just beginning to learn InDesign CS, this series will give you a jump-start for using this powerful and well-designed software.

Pros: It's like having an expert in your home teaching you how to become proficient in Adobe InDesign CS.

Cons: A very steep learning curve. Take it in small doses.