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Version-Specific Application Icons for InDesign

Kelly Vaughn
8

Before CS6, Adobe had different icons for each version of its applications. So it was relatively easy to tell which version you were using to open a file. Starting with CS6, Adobe stopped changing the icons for each version. So it was easy to get confused as to which version you very using. Today I decided to break down and finally make myself some new version-specific InDesign icons. These instructions are for Mac users.

  1. Download the images below and open them in either Preview or Photoshop.
  2. Select All.
  3. Copy.
  4. Navigate to InDesign on your hard drive.
  5. Press Cmd+I to open the Get Info dialog box
  6. Click on the application icon in the dialog box and then paste the new icon.

ChangeTheInDesignIconOnAMac

ID-CS6-Icon

InDesign CS6 Icon

ID-CC-Icon

InDesign CC Icon

ID-CC2014-Icon

InDesign CC 2014 Icon

Once you change the icon for each version of InDesign you have installed, it will be easy to tell them apart in the Application Switcher (Cmd + Tab). You may have to restart your programs and/or computer in order to get the app switcher to acknowledge all the changes.

MacAppSwitcherWithInDesignIcons

For bonus points, you can also add the apps to your Finder toolbar. Simply drag the application onto the top of your toolbar. If you to need to move (or remove) the icon, hold down the Command key while dragging the icon.

AddingApplicationsToFinderToolbar

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Kelly Vaughn
Kelly Vaughn (a.k.a. "Document Geek") has over a decade of print and design experience. She holds Adobe Expert Certifications In InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat, and specializes in writing and designing technical manuals for the marine industry.
  • Daniel says:
    July 24, 2014 at 6:55 am

    Good idea. But those icons are not well executed.

    Reply
    • gert says:
      July 24, 2014 at 10:34 am

      Feel free to make them better. I did the same on a windows platform, only I changed the icons in the launcher (rocket dock in my case).

      Reply
  • David Blatner says:
    July 24, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    You might even want to change the colors a little bit (maybe just the outer border) so that you can tell the difference even more easily.

    Reply
  • Gus says:
    July 24, 2014 at 2:34 pm

    I’m playing creating icons on Windows 8. With CC having at least three versions of each application it’s helpful to see which one is open. Do you guys have any tips for best practices to create an icon? Basically what font will come out crisp at small size and what workflow to follow. Thanks for any tips.

    Reply
  • Florent says:
    July 25, 2014 at 12:28 am

    Great idea! Thanks

    Reply
  • robigri says:
    July 28, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    what about leaving the icon as it is, just changing the color (I made my InDesign CC2014 icon bright green, and it is quite easy to spot the version I am using)?

    Reply
    • Kelly Vaughn says:
      July 30, 2014 at 9:37 am

      I decided to keep the original icons pretty close to the original, only adding the version number at the bottom. But changing the color would also work quite well for making it stand out. For me, the colors in the suite hold deep meaning. Dreamweaver is green and InDesign is pink. :)

      Reply
  • Win ico file says:
    August 13, 2014 at 9:49 pm

    Thanks! I’ve converted to .ico for Windows types…
    Just go to shortcut properties and change icon.
    https://www.convertico.com/images/1407991633.32/ID-CS6-Icon.ico

    Reply
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