Learn how to create interactive pop-up windows using Adobe InDesign
In this tutorial, I will go over steps on how to create pop-up windows in an interactive camping and outdoors catalog using a combination of the Animation, Buttons and Forms and Layers panels.
The objective of this tutorial is to demonstrate how to click a button to launch more information inside a pop-out window that also has close functionality. We'll also look at how to add a hyperlink to take potential consumers from a digital publishing project to your website where they can order the product directly.
So let's jump in to this tutorial and start creating!
In this layout, you will find three windows – or information cards – for three products in the catalog. The first step will be adding Animation to the information cards and the corresponding Close icons.
Adding Animation
Click the first grouped window, which is also named Coat Set 1.
In the Animation panel, apply a preset of Zoom In (2D).
Set the Duration to 0.125 sec as we want a quick transition to open and close.
Click the corresponding Close Icon and apply an Animation preset of Fade In.
Name it Close Button 1.
Set the Duration to 0.125 sec.
Click the Hide Until Animated box.
Click the second grouped window, which is named Coat Set 2 in the Layers panel.
In the Animation panel, apply a preset of Zoom In (2D).
Set the Duration to 0.125 sec.
Click the corresponding Close Icon and apply an Animation preset of Fade In.
Set the Duration to 0.125 sec.
Name it Close Button 2.
Click the Hide Until Animated box.
Click the third grouped window, which is named Coat Set 3 in the Layers panel.
In the Animation panel, apply a preset of Zoom In (2D).
Set the Duration to 0.125 sec.
Click the corresponding Close Icon and apply an Animation preset of Fade In.
Set the Duration to 0.125 sec.
Name it Close Button 3.
Click the Hide Until Animated box.
The Animation has been applied and now we can focus on adding the interactivity to open and close the windows when clicking the detail buttons in the product catalog layout.
Adding Buttons
Click the first Details button and in the Buttons and Forms panel, convert the object to a Button.
Name it Details Button 1
Add an Action of Animation.
In the Animation, choose Coat Set 1.
In the Option, choose Play.
Add another Action of Animation.
In the Animation, choose Close Button 1.
In the Option, choose Play.
Click the second Details button and in the Buttons and Forms panel, convert the object to a Button.
Name it Details Button 2.
Add an Action of Animation.
In the Animation, choose Coat Set 2.
In the Option, choose Play.
Add another Action of Animation.
In the Animation, choose Close Button 2.
In the Option, choose Play.
Click the third Details button and in the Buttons and Forms panel, convert the object to a Button.
Name it Details Button 3.
Add an Action of Animation.
In the Animation, choose Coat Set 3.
In the Option, choose Play.
Add another Action of Animation.
In the Animation, choose Close Button 3.
In the Option, choose Play.
Here's a look at the Details buttons with the Actions applied:
Now that the Detail buttons have been applied, it's time to add button actions to the Close icons in each window.
Click on the first Close Button and convert the object to a button.
Name the button Close Button 1 to stay consistent with original naming convention.
Add an Action of Animation.
In the Animation, choose Coat Set 1.
In the Options, choose Reverse.
Add an Action of Show/Hide Buttons and Forms.
In the Visibility section, Hide the Close Button 1.
Click on the second Close Button and convert the object to a button.
Name the button Close Button 2 to stay consistent with original naming convention.
Add an Action of Animation.
In the Animation, choose Coat Set 2.
In the Options, choose Reverse.
Add an Action of Show/Hide Buttons and Forms.
In the Visibility section, Hide the Close Button 2.
Click on the third Close Button and convert the object to a button.
Name the button Close Button 3 to stay consistent with original naming convention.
Add an Action of Animation.
In the Animation, choose Coat Set 3.
In the Options, choose Reverse.
Add an Action of Show/Hide Buttons and Forms.
In the Visibility section, Hide the Close Button 3.
Here is a look at the steps for the Close Buttons as explained above:
There is just one last step to complete the interactive menu. That is deselecting the On Page Load option for the Animations. Remember you want the animation to occur when the user clicks the Detail buttons, not on page load.
Click the Coat Set 1 window and in the Animation panel, click the Event(s) dropdown and deselect On Page Load.
Repeat the same step for Coat Set 2 and Coat Set 3 animations.
