StoryParker for InDesign

Supports InDesign 2024 and higher. For older versions of InDesign, please go here.

StoryParker is a tool for InDesign 2024 and above that helps you cope with cluttered pages.

Every individual page item or threaded story can be nonchalantly temporarily ‘parked’ on the pasteboard.

You put them aside, somewhere on the pasteboard, and they can quickly snap back to where they came from with a single click later.

Linked text frames can also be parked all together. The idea is to help you get one or more page items out of the way quickly, for example because you want to reach something that’s underneath. Later on, you can easily move the page item back to its exact original position.

The neat thing is that parked page items ‘remember’ where they came from – you can ‘unpark’ them, which causes them to snap back to the exact location they had before you parked them.

Installing StoryParker

You can try out StoryParker for 20 days, free of charge: simply install it as per the instructions below.

If you decide StoryParker works for you, and you want to purchase a license, see below for a clickable link that will add a bookmark for StoryParker into PluginInstaller.

At some point into the future, PluginInstaller will also handle downloading and installing of all of our plug-ins, but for the time being, StoryParker still needs to be installed through a manual process.

Downloads

To install StoryParker, you first need to download three different items.

  1. StoryParker. This download contains the StoryParker plug-in.
  2. APID ToolAssistant. This download contains a shared software component called APID ToolAssistant. To make StoryParker work, this plug-in needs to be installed.
    Important note: you do NOT need to purchase a license for APID ToolAssistant to make StoryParker work.
  3. PluginInstaller. This item is a shared application which handles activation and purchasing of our software tools. Make sure you update to the latest version – re-download if in doubt.

1. Download link for StoryParker

https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/StoryParker.2.0.1.zip

2. Download links for APID ToolAssistant

Pick the correct link, depending on your computer and version of InDesign:

2.1. Mac, InDesign 2024

https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/apid/APIDToolAssistant_Mac_2024.1.0.73.zip

2.2. Mac, InDesign 2025

https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/apid/APIDToolAssistant_Mac_2025.1.0.73.zip

2.3. Windows, InDesign 2024

https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/apid/APIDToolAssistant_Win_2024.1.0.73.zip

2.4. Windows, InDesign 2025

https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/apid/APIDToolAssistant_Win_2025.1.0.73.zip

3. PluginInstaller

https://plugininstaller.com

Installing on a Mac

You need to have a user account with Admin privileges on your computer.

If you don’t have such an account, you need to talk to your I.T. department – they will need to help you install the plug-ins.

Make sure InDesign is not running.

Using the Finder, navigate to the InDesign Plug-Ins folder for your version of InDesign.

On most computers this will be on a path similar to /Applications/Adobe InDesign 202x/Plug-Ins

Create a folder called Rorohiko – this is not absolutely necessary, but if you also use plug-ins from other companies, it’s better to put them into separate folders, nested below the Plug-Ins folder. You will probably need to provide your computer login password in order to create this folder.

Decompress the APIDToolAssistant_Mac_20xx…zip file and move the contents into the Rorohiko folder. Once installed, it should look similar to the screenshot below:

Decompress the StoryParker…zip file.

Move the plug-in file StoryParker.spln into the Rorohiko folder inside the InDesign Plug-Ins folder.

You can now launch InDesign.

Now scroll further down, past the Installing on Windows section, to the Usage section.

Installing on Windows

On your computer, you need to have a user account with Admin privileges.

If you don’t have such an account, you need to talk to your I.T. department – they will need to help you install the plug-ins.

Make sure InDesign is not running.

Using the Explorer, navigate to the InDesign Plug-Ins folder for your version of InDesign.

On most computers this will be on a path similar to C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe InDesign 202x\Plug-Ins

Create a folder called Rorohiko – this is not absolutely necessary, but if you also use plug-ins from other companies, it’s better to put them into separate folders, nested below the Plug-Ins folder. You will probably need to provide your computer login password in order to create this folder.

Right-click the APIDToolAssistant_Win_20xx…zip file and select Extract All…

Move the plug-in file StoryParker.spln into the Rorohiko folder inside the InDesign Plug-Ins folder.

Right-click the StoryParker…zip file and select Extract All…

Move the plug-in file StoryParker.spln into the Rorohiko folder inside the InDesign Plug-Ins folder.

You can now launch InDesign.

Usage

StoryParker adds a number of context menus to various page items (i.e. select page item, and do control-click (Mac) or right-click (Mac, Windows). Look for the Active Page Item Runtime menu).

Every page item can be temporarily ‘parked’.

What this means: you can swat it aside, to land somewhere on the pasteboard, and later quickly snap it back to where it came from.

The idea is to help you get one or more page items out of the way quickly, for example because you want to reach something that’s underneath.

Later on, you can easily move the page item back to its exact original position. The neat thing is that parked page items ‘remember’ where they came from – you can ‘unpark’ them, which causes them to fly back to the exact location they had before you parked them.

Parked items are put on the pasteboard, and can be moved around freely from there – any movement while they are parked is ignored and forgotten the instant you unpark them.

For more detailed information on StoryParker, go to:

https://www.rorohiko.com/wordpress/manuals/storyparker-manual/

Purchasing a License

StoryParker is free to try for 20 days. After the trial period, you need to purchase an activation code for US$29.00 per seat, per year (excluding tax) by way of PluginInstaller.

You will need to renew the license every year.

Start the StoryParker, which you downloaded in installation step 3 above.

Then go through the following steps.

Create an Account:

If this is your first time using PluginInstaller, you’ll need to create a new account and register it within PluginInstaller.

If you already have an account listed in the Accounts window, you can skip ahead.

Add a StoryParker Bookmark:

Add a bookmark for StoryParker into PluginInstaller by clicking the following link:

Add StoryParker Bookmark into PluginInstaller

Alternatively, you can use the Browse the Store for Software window in PluginInstaller and find the StoryParker entry in the Rorohiko Catalog, then click the link provided.

Purchase License

Once the bookmark is listed in the Installing and Ordering window, select it fill out the Ordering section at the bottom.

Adjust the seat count and add a reference if desired, then click Purchase.

Activation may take some time to process; keep an eye for updates in the Licenses, Activations, and Pending Orders window in PluginInstaller.

The status of the order in this window will change once the license has been approved.

Transporting Licenses Between Computers

For transporting licenses between computer (e.g. when using a multi-seat license), you can use the export/import buttons on the Licenses, Activations and Pending Orders window.