InDesign to HTML with In5 | An Introduction Guide

Turn your InDesign designs into HTML effortlessly with In5. Our guide reveals how to overcome hurdles, make exports hassle-free, and enhance your digital creations.
InDesign to HTML with In5 | An Introduction Guide

For non-developers, one of the main problems is converting their design files to HTML. Most of you have been asking the same questions everywhere. So we’ve compiled an amazing guide for you. This guide will help you get a better idea of solving your problems. If you want to know more about In5…Keep reading!

With advanced technology, it’s possible to convert your InDesign files to HTML. You can export your files from InDesign to HTML without any hassle. In5 lets you complete this task in seconds.

What’s the problem with exporting Indesign Files?

Software like Adobe Dreamweaver converts the InDesign files to HTML. It can convert images, text, footnotes, bullet points, links, hyperlinks, and internal references. Tables present in your content can also be exported without any problems. Whereas audio and video files are enclosed in HTML.

The main hurdle that you might face is converting page geometry into HTML. You know why? Because any sort of hand drawings including different types of shapes do not get exported to HTML. Special hyperlinks, copied and pasted objects including any sort of illustrator designs are also not supported.

Some other page elements that you can’t convert into HTML are tags, bookmarks, page transitions, and other master page items.

Solutions that aren’t Good Enough!

To resolve all these complicated issues and provide ease to users, Adobe created a few more exporting options. The first and foremost option they introduced was the Fixed Layout EPUB Export. This was a great option for those who had EPUB readers as EPUB files only work in specific EPUB readers.

The main thing that people don’t understand is that the FXL EPUB files can easily get cracked. Anyone can crack open them and access their HTML and CSS files.

Another main problem in using EPUB is that not everyone around the globe has EPUB readers that handle the FXL.

After EPUB, Adobe released the Publish Online tool. With Publish Online, Adobe made it easier for the public to convert their complete Indesign files into HTML. However, you would need an Adobe server to operate Publish online.

The exported HTML is off the limits. Thus, being a user, you can’t put it into your desired apps and websites. Also, in Publish Online you won’t be able to edit the HTML.

How can In5 resolve all your issues?

Justin Putney who’s a professional community member of Adobe, is also the founder of Ajar productions. He is a graphic designer by profession. He has always been dedicated to innovating the existing graphic design technology. So for the ease and help of the public, he released a plugin known as In5.

This plugin is designed to operate with Indesign files. Its main function is to export files from Indesign to HTML5. In5 covers the entire page while exporting it from Indesign to HTML5. It does not only export basic page elements but also converts page geometry into HTML5.

As an advanced plugin, its features are not only limited to Indesign to HTML5 export. They further include other export options.

One of its most prominent export options is Swipe Navigation for mobile users. You can use this feature to transfer your HTML into mobile applications. This can be done using PhoneGap, Amazon Marketplace and Baker Framework.

How to use In5?

First of all, you need to design your desired layout in InDesign. As soon as you’re done with your layout…now it’s time to convert your design into HTML.

We’ve compiled a few steps to help you understand the In5 implementation. Here’s how you can use In5:

  1. Install the In5 plugin.
  2. After the installation, an option of “Export to HTML5 with In5” will appear in your InDesign file.
  3. Select the option from the drop-down list to export your files.
  4. Click OK to see a preview of your results.

Setting the page format with In5

With the page format option in In5, you can choose your desired page formats for the Indesign files.

Changing the page formats can further enhance your layout.

Some of the common page formats offered by In5 are:

  • Two-page spreads
  • Flipbook page curl
  • Responsive Layouts

Other Features of In5

Once your digital design is ready, you must think of ways to modify it further. In5 lets you add exceptional features to your designs. These features will help you make your design stand out from all the previous ones.

Four of In5’s other amazing features are:

  1. Page thumbnail navigation
  2. Zoom in and zoom out
  3. Reading progress indicators
  4. Ease in reading for mobile users

InDesign files are easy to create. However, exporting your designs to HTML was difficult before the release of In5. Once In5 was released, since then exporting files to HTML has become way easier than ever. All you need to do is design your files in Indesign. Export them to HTML5 with In5 and you’re done!