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It looks like the InDesign Conference and the Vector Conference will start off with a bang in Miami next week. Word has it that Adobe is planning on showing some kind of a technology preview at their keynote address – something to do with InDesign and Flash. Michael Ninness and Tim Cole are scheduled to deliver the keynote — both of them showmen in their own right. So it should be interesting. Can’t wait!

As I live in the northern part of the USA, and it’s February, I have to admit that I’m really looking forward to the four conferences in Miami at the end of the month (plus GOA). But the conferences aren’t the only things happening in Miami that week! There’s all kinds of cool stuff going on around town. Here’s a quick rundown of some events, things to watch out for, and places to eat around town to get you started.

Art

If you’re flying in, check out this art at the Miami International Airport.

Then, look at the Miami Art Guide for everything else happening around town

Near the conference center, you’ll find a very wide spectrum of museums, including:

• Jewish Museum of Florida which has a number of exhibits, including the one I’m looking forward to: Zap Pow Bam – Super Heroes of the Golden Age of Comics 1938-1950
• The Wolfsonian
• World Erotic Art Museum
• Art Center
  

Music and Events

1. If you’re coming in a little early, you might (or might not) be interested in a Barry Manilow concert on Sunday. Or, here’s a list of what’s happening Monday night (or any other night that week).
2. Manheim Steamroller is playing at the Jackie Gleason (next door to the convention center) while we’re there.
3. In case you’re not spending enough time inside in the dark, the Miami International Film Festival is happening that week, too.
4. New World Symphony has some wonderful Bach and Baroque coming up at the end of the week.
5. Need a more quiet form of “wildlife”? The International Orchid Festival is going on in town, too.

Restaurants

Top Twenty Miami Beach Restaurants

If you’re a vegetarian, check out the restaurant ideas at Meatless Miami ; we’ve heard very good things about this kosher vegetarian restaurant, called Gourmet Carrot

And, if you’re interested in Kosher, here’s one of Mordy’s favorites: Tea for Two: Italian food… and sushi!

And More…

You can find even more at the Miami Visitor’s Bureau, of course.

Do you know any cool things going on in town that week? Any recommendations? Let us know below!

Question: I’ve been a life-long, 17-year user of FreeHand and this is just killing me. In FreeHand I could “Cmd-C” an object to move it then “Cmd-D” would repeat that to create simple patterns. How do I do that in Illustrator? I tried “Cmd D” but it just moves the same shape. It doesn’t create new ones?

Check out the AskMOGO.com video podcast answer here.

I have a question about Symbol Libraries. I have managed to create a library for a website I am working on. The library has a few logo ideas and I would like to be able to add to it when I am in another Illustrator document. It seems that all I am able to do is create another new library, open the older symbols and save them… this method slows down the workflow. Any suggestions?

Check out the AskMOGO.com video podcast answer here.

I was wondering if there is a way that I can automatically create a group of swatches from a placed Photoshop image? There is an easy way to do it in Photoshop (converting the image to Indexed color, etc.), and I’d love to know if there’s an equivalent in Illustrator CS3?

Check out the AskMOGO.com video podcast answer here.

QUESTION: I am using Illustrator CS3, and I have a picture that I’d like to place multiple text objects and possibly vector images over and make a clipping mask utilizing all of the objects at the same time. I can’t figure out a way to combine the text objects so that they form a clipping mask (when I try, I usually just get the last object I put in to be the mask).

Check out the AskMOGO.com video podcast answer here.

Put your vectors to work creating pie charts, bar graphs, and other business essentials. Whether you start with the raw data or finished Excel art, this class will show you how to jazz up even the most boring data:

• How to convert clunky Excel art into Illustrator paths
• How to use Illustrator’s built-in graphing tools
• How to apply graphic styles to automate chart creation
• How to create simple Flash animations out of Illustrator graphs

While most people think of InDesign as the layout king, Illustrator is an awesome tool for one page items such as advertisements, book and magazine covers, posters, and so on. Learn how best to use this tool and why you might want to use it instead of (or in conjunction with) InDesign.

• Layer comps
• Working with Photoshop images and paths
• Key issues to keep in mind

You may have your head stuck in Illustrator or Flash for ten hours a day, but someday you’ll find yourself needing to build something in InDesign. Learn it now, quick, before you find yourself staring at a blank page!

• Building a solid document fast
• The top 5 differences between InDesign and Illustrator
• How best to use your Illustrator and Flash content inside InDesign