Index Builder

Powerful Indexing Software for Catalogers

Create a multi-level product, manufacturer, or part number index in just minutes

Index Builder is a software module for Adobe InDesign that provides a very powerful set of tools for creating catalog indexes. Unlike standard indexing products, Index Builder was designed to serve the specific needs of catalogers, with a number of unique features that make the product ideal for catalog workflows.

 

Made for the Cataloger

Many catalogs include both Product and Manufacturer indexes, so we designed the Index Builder software to handle both. Index entries can be up to four levels deep and can be attached to any frame, group or Product Block in your catalog pages. Each tagged object can contain up to 10 distinct index entries, and the entries are permanently stored with the document content. For our DesignMerge Catalog customers, the integration with Index Builder lets you quickly produce a Part Number index as well.

 

Import and Export Features

Index entries can be entered by hand at any time, or imported from a tab-separated text file. Since most catalogers already have an existing index from the last catalog, it is quite easy to import the old index, make changes, and start tagging for the future. Index entries can also be saved, exported and shared by other workstations.

 

Span Hundreds of Documents

Many catalogers create their publication as separate pages, spreads, or sections, requiring that the index span across hundreds of individual documents. The built-in batch processing feature of Index Builder will process any number of individual InDesign documents in a single session. A complete index can be created within minutes and can be updated at any time.

 

Awesome Panel Interface

You might expect a Meadows product to provide a simple, intuitive, menu-driven user interface, and Index Builder is no exception. One of our finest designs, the unique Index Tagger floating panel provides complete control over all of the indexing functions, with a special set of preferences and controls for scrolling, resizing, and sorting the index entries. There are also a number of handy shortcuts and preferences for on-the-fly proofing, testing and styling.

Works Well with Pick-up Catalogs

Because all of the index entries are stored with the document, your pick-up catalogs will be tagged and ready to go. Copying a tagged group or product block from one page or document to another retains all of the previous index information.

 

Supports GroupPicture Too

Index Builder is also compatible with our GroupPicture software, which allows you to create, save, and database your product blocks with embedded index information. This combination works great with most image database applications or DAM systems. When your archived product blocks are imported back onto the page, the index entries are fully retained and ready to go. In addition, the saved product blocks can contain DesignMerge Catalog database links, which let you quickly update specific content directly from any external or flat-file database.

 

Imagine the Possibilities

Imagine, searching a database application for product information, dragging fully-formatted product blocks onto your InDesign page, automatically updating pricing or other information within the block, and then cranking out a catalog index. All this is possible using the Meadows suite of catalog software!

 

If you are a cataloger that has been struggling to find a fast and efficient way to produce your index, please contact us to arrange a demonstration of DesignMerge Catalog and the Index Builder module.