Reply To: InDesign CS3 and Kindle

I’m reviving this post, because I could really use some help. Keep in mind that I am using CS3, and there is no option at this point for software or OS upgrades – Mac Snow Leopard is where I am. As far as I know, there are no plugins for CS3.

I just got a project to design a cover for an ebook. The client’s book is in mobi format, and I want to make sure I can deliver – if there is actual coding involved, I fear I’ll be in trouble. Where does coding come in? I’ve never done any coding. All my design work has been for print.

I’ve downloaded and installed ADE 2.0, and see that I can do a cross-media export to XHTML/Digital Editions with my file. I did a quick layout with a color title bar, artwork and text, but when it opens in ADE, all I see is the text. I believe it’s a good idea to apply character styles to the text, but what happens with placed photos or artwork? Why can’t I see them?

Where does Calibre fit into this process? Do I actually have to use Calibre to convert the ADE file? Is that a seamless process?

I’ve found a lot of tutorials, but they’re all for newer versions of InDesign. Any insight anyone can offer would be very much appreciated. If I can’t do this easily, I won’t accept this project because I want to be fair to the client.