CONTENTS
========
1. PDF EDITION OF SERIF PAGEPLUS
2. USING SCRIPTS IN INDESIGN
3. REVISED WP STORE
4. RUNNING A SMALL BOOK PUBLISHING BUSINESS
5. A TYPICAL QUESTION
6. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
7. UTILITIES/UPDATES
8. HINTS
9. SOURCES OF INFORMATION
10. LAST WORD
1. PDF EDITION OF SERIF PAGEPLUS
================================
Serif has introduced a version of their PagePlus software which outputs directly to PDF. PagePlus is a long established and often underrated page layout program, and one problem with such programs has been that many printers are not conversant with them. While it has always been possible to print to Acrobat Distiller, or to a postscript file which is then sent to Distiller, this has required Adobe Acrobat, and it has been, at least, a two-stage process.
However, they seem to have taken the PDF integration a step further than many programs. The new version provides direct PDF output with graphics options for optimized PDFs or full-resolution images. The program also includes a Bookmark Manager to control links within PDF files to pages or to specific text- or object-level locations in the document. Hyperlinks can also be made active and there are selecteable options on font embedding.
PagePlus already had a feature called Page Hints, similar to "sticky notes" to the person working on the file; these can now become annotations in the PDF file.
There is also an optional "Resources CD" with 150 templates, 200 fonts, and six tutorials including publishing projects, a transparency guide and PDF-specific training and advice.
Details are at <http://www.serif.com/>. The full version with companion and resource CD costs US$134.99 while without the resources CD it costs US$119.99. Upgrades are US$69.99 and $59.99 respectively, whiule those who already have version 8 can obtain the PDF update for US$49.99 or $34.99. There doesn;t seem to be a demo but you can download the 1.2MB PDF manual.
2. USING SCRIPTS IN INDESIGN
============================
One of the confusing aspects on scripting InDesign has been that the scripting palette, while on the InDesign CDs, has to be installed separately, and, even when that is done, many are left wondering how they actually get to make use of scripts.
On the Windows platform it becomes more confusing. In Format66 we included info on where to get a free version of Visual Basic which is enough for InD purposes, but then users are left wondering how they turn a script into an executable file and whether they have to run the script from VisualBasic, or run a script from Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) which comes with many programs from Microsoft.
Once having any kind of VB on your computer, it is in fact quite straightforward:
Copy the text of the Sub (not including the Begin Sub and End Sub lines) into a text editor, and then change the line "Dim myInDesign As InDesign.Application" to "Dim myInDesign", then save the file as plain text with the file extension .vbs.
Place the script (or a shortcut to it) in the Scripts folder in your InDesign folder (if the folder does not already exist, create it). Now you can run the script from InDesign's Scripts palette.
A good starting point is to paste in some of the scripts which appear on the InDesign Talk email list, or from the Adobe Studio site at <http://share.studio.adobe.com/Default.asp>
3. REVISED WP STORE
===================
A quick reminder that all Format subscribers are entitled to a discount price on all our books bought from ourselves or direct from our US distributor. We now have a revised online store at <http://www.worsleypress.com/wpstore> with separate sections for US, Australian and rest-of-the-world orders. On the page where you will be asked to nominate the country for delivery there is a section at the bottom to enter a "voucher number". The voucher number for Format subscribers is currently 11204101. Enter this number and hit the recalculate button and your discount of 10% will be entered when the page is revised.
At this stage you will not yet be at the secure site for entry of credit card details so you are welcome to use this page to obtain a firm price even if you do not intend to buy immediately, or just want to check what postage will cost.
The same discount will apply if you are in the US and order by phone using our US tollfree number of 888-511-5125. Most of our books are also available from Amazon.com (where they are finding a healthy sale) but the discount is unfortunately not available on books purchased from them, though they do have a current offer of free freight on orders over US$99 for delivery within the US.
We do not yet have arrangements for distribution in the UK or Europe, though we are working on it, but recent books ordered from Australia have been delivered in Belgium, the UK, Scotland and Ireland in 7 days or less... which, we sadly admit, is quicker than some deliveries within our own country.
4. RUNNING A SMALL BOOK PUBLISHING BUSINESS
===========================================
There are plenty of books on the technical aspects of producing most publications, but few on how to run them as a business. Our own "How to Start and Produce a Magazine" tries to be one of the exceptions, but, in the book publishing field, "How to Start and Run a Small Book Publishing Company" by Peter I Hupalo is definitely an exception. It includes some information on producing the book itself but most of its 160 pages are about the business: how many copies to print, the true cost of inventory, the print-on-demand services, marketing, discount schedules, pricing, cashflow, and, a point well worth making again and again, how to avoid the danger that "success can kill you". At first I thought much of the advice on business structure, taxes and sales tax, would apply only in the USA, but Peter talks in broad outlines and his warnings on differences between states are equally appropriate to countries, with the general advice applicable anywhere in the world. It is available on Amazon.com or direct from <http://www.hcmpublishing.com>.
5. A TYPICAL QUESTION
=====================
The following is typical of questions we get a couple of times a week, and we plan a web page giving our answers. Before we do, some Format subscribers may like to suggest other points which should be included:
Stephan de Lange wrote from South Africa: "Thank you for your Format Newsletter. Recently I started to document my travel experiences and decided to publish a Field Guide. Many years ago when I bought my first CD-rom drive I received free software, among them MS Publisher. I started to type my story, using Publisher, but had endless trouble when I wanted to print the 25-odd page, double-side print document. I might publish several guidebooks and want to know what software should I use (cost effectively as a self/home publisher) that could be accepted by small printing houses. Regarding photographs (colour or b&w), what format is the best to use: tiff or jpeg?"
We replied: There is a wide choice of page production software, and it is probably a good idea to get several free downloadable trial versions before making a choice. The range is covered in the file DTP Contenders at: <http://www.worsleypress.com/pubprod/DTPcontenders.htm>
MS Publisher has a reputation for being the program used by amateurs, but its most recent versions have almost everything needed for professional output. Programs used by the trade are generally PageMaker, QuarkXpress or InDesign, and files from all those should be accepted by virtually all commercial printers. However they are considerably more difficult to learn to use -- and may need at least a few lessons (the choice might be best made on what support and help is available locally). It is also becoming most common to supply files for print as PDF files, in which case the program being used doesn't matter.
I'd also suggest that your story is produced in a word processor and then this file imported into the page layout program in a similar way to preparing pictures in a separate program and then bringing them into the layout program.
The problem with JPEGs is that saving again can reduce the quality as it can repeat the compression process. Therefore, unless the size of files is a problem, I would suggest using the TIFF format.
6. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
========================
Following on the scanner/jpeg problems mentioned in the last issue, Don Drozdenko wrote: After our email messages and your confirming that my new Epson 1650 scanner saves images in jpg progressive format, I spoke to a friend, Dave Zeller about the problems I encountered (Dave teaches PM6.5 at our local senior citizens center). He suggested that I use my copy of PhotoDeluxe to activate the scanner. So, I opened my Adobe PhotoDeluxe Business Edition 1.0 and once I clicked on the 'Scan Photo' command, the scanner activated, scanned my photo, then PhotoDeluxe kicked in and asked in which format I wanted to save. I was able to then save my image in the classic jpg form which is compatible with PM6.5. Also, PhotoDeluxe offers more file formats than the Epson software.
That leaves Don's remaining problem as his HP 2000 printer. He says it "is recognized by XP and it does work, but sometimes it doesn't behave quite right and a lot of 'garbage' prints out. I have to cancel the print and restart the print command."
Incidentally, for those with scanners and other devices that have to stay on machines with older operating systems, we liked a suggestion of controlling them via a remote management program (such as PC Anywhere if you are on a PC). That way, even though you'd want the scanner handy, the machine it is connected to could be tucked away...maybe even without a monitor.
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Daniel Gold wrote: "Just a suggestion/request, could you address 'Transfer Functions' (preserve/remove), and OPI Comments, Black Generation, and the 'Advanced options' in Acrobat Distiller? I don't know what to choose on these, when making PDF's for basic purposes: high quality printing, vs. smaller-size for web-viewing? Or if you could point me to a good webpage source of info about this? Thanks for being always so helpful, the FORMAT resource is great,
We replied: I'll include your suggestion in the next issue of Format, but in the meantime you may like to look at the PDFzone website at: <http://www.pdfzone.com>
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Bob Thornton wrote: "I produce a 20 page club newsletter, A5 on folded double sided A4, which is printed on a 4si. The newsletter is set up in WordPerfect and all works pretty good.
"Problems arise as the proof copy is usually printed on a Canon lbp4i (because it lives in a winter habitable room!) which turns out to be slightly different formatting to the 4si and disturbs multi page articles. To produce a PDF version for email I use a dummy printer based on the 6si (because it has standard A4 pages available & made life easy) which is different again!! Is there a way to defeat this minor annoyance?"
We replied: My guess is that you could be using fonts which are resident in the printers and, despite them being the same name, there could be slight differences. Does the same thing happen if you use fonts which could not possibly be resident? (I'm not suggesting you change fonts permanently, but it would be interesting to see if this has any effect). It may be necessary to convert to PDF before final proofing.
Bob added: "Thanks Gordon. Lateral thinking! Since we left DOS I sort of forgot that printers have minds of their own - I suppose that the respective laser engines could also interpret differently. If it is any help to your readers the main text is 11 point Arial, and I forgot to mention that the hard copies are done in PCL mode, the PDF is made with PS of course."
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Brian Goodman wrote: "I have just finished reading the latest newsletter No 66 and read the bit about HP printers. I have had similar problems with the model DeskJet 610C. A friend suggested I replace the cork pad with a very fine glass paper. This did not solve the problem. What I ended up doing, and seemed to help eliminate the problem, is to load the paper pick to about half way with recycled paper. I leave this in place and place new paper on top of this. What I am doing is working only on the top half of the paper pick."
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Allan Bock, Editor, Northern Pen wrote: "Pass along my congratulations to Gordon and anyone else who may be responsible for an informative and interesting array of information that arrives in my email once a month. Very beneficial and useful. I'm writing from St. Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada and I have a question for which an answer has so far escaped me. We operate a community newspaper and receive ads by email and FTP. We have an ad client who wants to send ads with spot colour.
"We're on PCs, outputting in Pagemaker and PDF. The ad agency is on Macs working in QuarkXpress. We can't obtain a simple ad with two colours from them. We can receive a composite PDF, but can't separate it through Pagemaker. We suggested they make their PDFs in CMYK, but then we get black and other colours on all plates, which we don't want. We've tried EPS, but the fonts can't be maintained. What are we missing? Perhaps someone can suggest something or come up with something we should be telling the ad client. Thanks for any and all help."
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Chris A Harris wrote from Adelaide, Australia: "At work we are using PDF files. When printed the fonts are very sharp. When viewed on the monitor the fonts are not as sharp. If the image is Zoomed to 150% or more the fonts are clearer. The fonts are not as clear as when viewed in other programs such as Word. Any ideas?"
We repliued: That's an odd one. The only thing I can think of is a setting involving font smoothing either in the operating system or within a font manager (for example there's a "smooth font edges" checkbox in the "advanced" settings of Adobe Type Manager). I have heard of conflicts between font smoothing in the operating system and ATM but you appear to be on Windows and I thought this was more likely a Mac problem. I'll include your question in the next issue of Format and see if someone has a better answer.
7. UTILITIES/UPDATES
====================
In most layout programs you can do a find/replace to be rid of the annoying extra carriage returns which result in text pasted from emails, or you can automate the process with a script. However there are also a number of free or shareware utilities which make the process even easier if it is done frequently. Hal Wendt suggested a tiny program called Smartwrap, available for Mac and Windows at <http://www.selznick.com/products/smartwrap/>. 456kb, shareware ($15 to register).
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Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) has been released and is available for download from the Microsoft website. However it is a 138MB file (substantially the whole program reinstalls). Unless you have a broadband connection it may be best to wait for it to appear on magazine cover CDs or obtain the CD from Microsoft.
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CatBase Software Ltd publishes CatBase, a database publishing program. CatBase has been around for 10 years, and they are now preparing version 5, which will support publishing data with InDesign. For more information see <http://www.catbase.com>. The demo is limited to 50 records and is a 9MB download for Mac, 8MB for Windows. There are also manuals available in PDF format, including a 4.7MB PDF specifically for the demo version.
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Karen Kenworthy has expanded her Font Explorer utility for Windows. It used to just display, and print, samples of all installed fonts. Now it extracts information from the font files including a font's author, version, description, character set, and copyright information, all of which cab be displayed on screen or printed. Font Explorer v1.5 is at <http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptfonts.asp> 1.2MB download. The VB source code is also available.
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MakePDF turns Word 97, 2000, or XP documents into PDF format without Acrobat. US$30 with a free evaluation version available on request "to business users" at <http://www.docauto.com>
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A simple-to-use overprint control strip for checking that proofs and prints made from files transmitted as PDF/X have rendered correctly has been released by Global Graphics Software. It is available free from a number of web sites, including Time Inc., the DDAP (Digital Distribution of Advertising for Publications) and Global Graphics own web site <http://www.globalgraphics.com>. It is an EPS file that can be placed outside the trim or bleed area of every job created in a design application. There's a 100kb PDF manual and the basic EPS is 511kb.
8. HINTS
========
It seems there are some problems with using some multiple master fonts to make PDFs with Win 2000 and with WinXP with SP1 loaded and using ATM. Only answer so far seems to be to avoid SP1.
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Ever have trouble with label templates in Word? You set up precise sizes and distances between labels but they don't come out that way? One possibility is that the "Allow A4/Letter paper resizing" checkbox is selected. In Word 2000 and Word 2002 this is found at Tools > Options > Print. This may be more of a problem in countries where labels may be in either of these sizes but it can have an effect even in the USA and when the label size is actually neither of these choices. (This is a hint from Woody's Office Watch <http://woodyswatch.com/>)
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From CreativePro: Every program gets corrupted every once in a while. But when it's one you use every day, like Photoshop, flaky behavior is especially annoying. Replacing the Preferences file is a quick way to return the application to normal operating mode. But trashing Preferences also means reassembling your particular Photoshop workspace to get it just the way you like it.
So what happens? The Preferences file is rewritten every time you quit Photoshop. One way is to allow sufficient time for the program to quit. It seems that interrupting the Photoshop shutdown by starting another program or beginning another operation may be a possible source of problems. <http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/17478.html>
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MS Word will reflow text if the default printer is changed, but there is a solution. Go to Tools > Options, scroll to the bottom, and turn off "Use printer metrics to lay out document." This may cause immediate reflow, but it will not reflow again due to printer changes.
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A tip for Windows XP users from Woody's Windows XP newsletter: Rename groups of files (such as digital camera files) by selecting the group of files you want to rename. Right-click on the first picture in the set, and pick Rename. Type an appropriate name, including the extension, hit Enter and Windows will re-name the first file with that name and the rest of the files with a progressive number at the end in brackets. <http://www.woodyswatch.com/>
If you've been concerned at reports of incoming Word documents being able to steal other files and hide them within when you return the file with comments or corrections, you may want the Hidden File Detector, free at <http://www.woodyswatch.com/util/sniff> 394kb.
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If you have lost access to email attachments in the latest versions of Outlook, go to Tools > Options > Security and uncheck "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus". It seems the latest service pack has taken a very wide interpretation of "potentially".
9. SOURCES OF INFORMATION
=========================
For those with an interest in the bindery, or post production side, see <http://www.mbofoldingskills.freeservers.com> and <http://www.binderyskills.freeservers.com>
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WordPerfect help links: <http://www.odu.edu/ao/edawson/wpresrce.htm>
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CreativePro have a new plug-ins column by Jay Nelson of Design Tools Monthly. Previously these have been available only to DTM subscribers. It started with an overview of the plug-in market and reviews of XTensions for QuarkXPress and plug-ins for Acrobat and Photoshop. <http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/17535.html>
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Those using PageMaker with Windows (and especially with Windows 2000 and NT) may find useful information at <http://www.atlantictechsolutions.com/docs.html>
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<http://www.GraphicBrain.com> is a printing industry specialised search engine with an index to 55,000 on-line articles of 50 trade magazines. The service has evolved as more graphic arts magazines provide their features online. The results list includes summaries.
10. LAST WORD
=============
We got what might have been an interesting email from Extensis with a subject of "Extensis e-news: Save 25% Now with Extensis Seybold Specials!". Like an increasing number of people, we download our email and read it offline...a much safer option, and we also route all HTML email with image tags to a "probable spam" folder (a practice we also recommend to our clients). In this case, the Extensis email was an HTML table with every cell pointing to a web address. To us it appeared as a set of gray boxes, and nothing else. If you really need to send email with image links, then at least include a line or two of text to say what it is all about.
Gordon Woolf
The Worsley Press
Hastings, Australia.