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What is Desktop Publishing (DTP)?

Desktop Publishing (DTP) is the creation of page layouts for documents using specialized software. Unlike standard word processors, DTP software provides advanced control over typography and the positioning of text and graphics. Popular DTP software includes Adobe PageMaker, Adobe InDesign, and QuarkXPress.

Introduction to Adobe PageMaker

Adobe PageMaker 7.0 is a sophisticated page layout software used to design and produce documents for printing. It is versatile enough to create anything from a simple business card to a complex, multi-page book. It allows users to:

  • Position text and graphics with precision.
  • Create professional newsletters, brochures, and reports.
  • Integrate elements from other software (like MS Word or Excel) into a single layout.

Creating a New Publication

To start a new document in PageMaker, follow these steps:

  1. Open Adobe PageMaker (Start > All Programs > Adobe > PageMaker 7.0).
  2. Choose File > New in the menu bar (or press Ctrl + N).
  3. The Document Setup dialog box will appear.
  4. Enter the appropriate settings for your new document in the Document Setup dialog box.
  5. Click on OK.

Now a new document called Untitled - 1 opens on the screen.

A document page is displayed within a dark border. The area outside of the dark border is referred to as the pasteboard. Anything that is placed completely in the pasteboard is not visible when you print the document. You can use the pasteboard to temporarily hold elements while designing your document.

Components of Adobe PageMaker

The main components of a window PageMaker are Title Bar, Menu Bar, Toolbar, Ruler, Scroll Bars and Text Area.

  1. Title Bar – it is the topmost part of the window. It shows the name of the software and the name of the document at the left, and the control buttons (Minimize, Maximize and Close) at the right.
  2. Menu Bar – it contains the following menus: File, Edit, Layout, Type, Element, Utilities, View, Window, Help. When you click on a menu item, a pulldown menu appears. There may be sub-menus under certain options in pull-down menus.
  3. Toolbar – if you place the mouse pointer on a button in the Toolbar, a short text will appear as its description called “Tool Tip”.
  4. Ruler – there are two ruler bars. One is at the top and other is at the left side.
  5. Scroll Bars – scrolling is the process of moving up and down or left and right through the document window. There are two scrollbars namely Vertical and Horizontal scroll bars for scrolling the document vertically or horizontally.

Setting up a New Publication (Document Setup)

The Document Setup dialog box is where you define the physical characteristics of your project:

  • Page Size: Choose from standard sizes like A4, Letter, Legal, or enter a custom size.
  • Dimensions: Shows the width and height of the selected page size.
  • Orientation:
    • Tall: This is the vertical (Portrait) orientation.
    • Wide: This is the horizontal (Landscape) orientation.
  • Options:
    • Double-sided: Select this if you want to print on both sides of the paper (like a book).
    • Facing Pages: If checked, PageMaker displays two pages side-by-side (Left and Right pages).
  • Margins: Set the Inside, Outside, Top, and Bottom margins to define the printable area.
  • Target Output Resolution: Usually set to 300 dpi for standard printing or higher for professional presses.

Opening and Editing an Existing Publication

To work on a previously saved file:

  • Opening: Choose File > Open (Ctrl + O), navigate to your file, and click Open.
  • Editing: Once open, you can use the Pointer Tool to select and move objects or the Text Tool to modify the content within text blocks.

Typing Text and Working with Text Blocks

In PageMaker, text doesn't just "exist" on the page; it resides inside a Text Block.

Select the Text Tool (T) from the toolbox. Click anywhere on the page or pasteboard and start typing. You can also click and drag to define the width of the text block before typing.

A text block is a container for text. It has "window shades" at the top and bottom with handles (small loops). If a bottom handle contains a red triangle, it indicates "overset text" (more text than the block can show).

Moving a Text Block

To move a text block to a different location:

  1. Select the Pointer Tool from the toolbox.
  2. Click on the text block you wish to move.
  3. Click and drag the block to the desired position.
  4. If you want to move it in a perfectly straight line (horizontally or vertically), hold the Shift key while dragging.

Type Menu and Formatting

Applying a Font and Formatting Characters

Formatting involves changing the appearance of text to make it more readable or visually appealing. This can be done via the Type menu or the Control Palette.

Character Specifications Dialog:

By navigating to Type > Character (Ctrl + T), you can modify:

  • Font: Choose the typeface (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman).
  • Size: Change the point size of the text.
  • Leading: The vertical space between lines of text.
  • Color: Apply different colors to the selected text.
  • Type Style: Apply Bold, Italic, Underline, Strikethrough, or Reverse (white text on a dark background).

Formatting and Word Processing

While PageMaker is a layout tool, it includes basic word processing features. You can select text by clicking and dragging the Text Tool over it. Once selected, you can change the alignment (Left, Right, Centre, Justified) via the Type > Alignment menu.

Changing Borders and Applying Fills

PageMaker allows you to draw shapes (rectangles, ellipses, polygons) and format them:

  • Borders (Stroke): Select the object with the Pointer tool, then go to Element > Stroke. Here you can choose the line thickness (0.5pt to 12pt) and the line style (dashed, dotted, double line).
  • Fills: Go to Element > Fill. You can choose patterns like "Solid," "Paper," or various hatched patterns.
  • Combined: Use Element > Fill and Stroke to set both properties simultaneously in one dialog box.

Graphics and Text Blocks

You can bring external images into PageMaker using File > Place.

  • Graphics: Once placed, a graphic can be resized or cropped using the Cropping Tool.
  • Interaction: Graphics can sit behind text, in front of text, or have text flow around them.

Wrapping Text Around Graphics

This feature is used to make text automatically "flow" around the edges of an image or shape.

  1. Select the graphic with the Pointer Tool.
  2. Choose Element > Text Wrap.
  3. Wrap Option:
  • None: Text flows over the graphic.
  • Square: Text flows around a rectangular boundary.
  • Irregular: Text flows around the specific contours of the shape.
  1. Flow Option: Determines if the text stays above the graphic, flows through it, or jumps to the next column/page.
  2. Standoff: You can define the exact distance (in inches or millimetres) between the graphic and the surrounding text.

Drop-Down Menus

PageMaker’s interface relies heavily on the Menu Bar, which contains several drop-down menus:

  • File: New, Open, Save, Place (for importing), and Print.
  • Edit: Cut, Copy, Paste, and Undo.
  • Layout: Commands for inserting/deleting pages and navigating the document.
  • Type: All font, size, and paragraph formatting options.
  • Element: Controls for lines, fills, shapes, and text wrapping.
  • Utilities: Includes Spell Check, Find/Change, and Plugins.
  • View: Zooming and showing/hiding rulers and guides.