[WinMac] Re: Desktop Publishing Tools [WAS] Mac Desktop Printing

Darron Spohn(dspohn[at]clicknet.com)
Fri, 19 Mar 1999 10:58:04 -0800

----------
>From: "Daniel L. Schwartz" <expresso@snip.net>

> Producing a long document (such as a 300 page chemical catalog) is a whole
> different issue, especially if you need to maintain links to placed images.
> I _assume_ FrameMaker does a better job of this, and I guess this is why it
> is so popular among professors who publish books... Perhaps K2 (InDesign)
> will incorporate some of these functions...

I've produced many long documents (300 to 1,000 pages) in PageMaker over the
years. The TOC and Indexing are very handy features. PageMaker maintains
links to placed images automatically if those images are in the same folder
as the PageMaker file(s). Storing images in separate folders works until you
copy the project to a CD or ZIP, then the service bureau or print shop has
to re-establish the links. the workaround is to tell PageMaker to store the
images in the files. This makes for larger files, but faster printing.

InDesign doesn't have the indexing feature though, which indicates to me
that Adobe is targeting it to newspaper and magazine professionals, while
steering tech writers to FrameMaker. Fair enough. Just pick the right tool
for the job.
>
>>PageMaker's design options are too limited and the antiquated code creates
>>bugs of its own (useless table editor, automatic numbered list plug-in
>>crashes every computer I've used, Mac and Windows)

FrameMaker let's you mark cross-references so the page number in the
reference will update automatically when you repaginate. PageMaker cannot do
this. Also, in FrameMaker you can anchor a text block outside the normal
text flow to a specific paragraph. This is very handy for sidebar tips,
hints, and warnings. Not an issue for newspaper or magazine design.

>
> I manually assemble my multipage documents and run a laser proof...
> Period. It's all part of the preflight process. I _still_ don't fully trust
> the preflight tools when it comes time to commit to (expensive) film. :)

That's the way I do it too. Creating a Postscript file is an excellent way
to preflight a set of files. Cheaper than the automatic tools too.

>
> As for the so-called "Adobe Table 3.0" included in PageMaker, I agree it's
> worthless. Personally, I create my tables like any other vector graphic in
> FreeHand and then import it as an EPS: This way, I can scale & stretch as
> needed... Handy if you need to eliminate widows at the bottom of the page!
> Also, all I need to do is double-click on the table/graphic to edit it...

Ditto again...FreeHand has many uses, However, when I worked at Apple I had
to create a 30-page service matrix. FrameMaker handled that excellently. For
normal (one page or less) tables, FreeHand works quite well.

--
Darron Spohn
Publications Manager
ClickNet Software Corporation
http://www.clicknet.com
408.576.5952


*                    Windows-MacOS Cooperation List                 *

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b2 on Fri Mar 19 1999 - 11:03:29 PST