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MARCH 05, 2004 Adobe InDesign CS + PageMaker Plug-in Pack
The PageMaker Plug-In Pack For me, some of the more significant advances in InDesign CS are found in the add-on functionality of the PageMaker Plug-In Pack, which is included with the InDesign CS PageMaker Edition at no additional charge or as an upgrade for InDesign users for $49. Adobe also says the PageMaker Plug-In Pack will be included with future versions on InDesign in the Creative Suite. We'll take a look at the added functionality of these addons now.[an error occurred while processing this directive]Now, as I've mentioned before, I started out my publishing life on PageMaker and have a certain sentimental attachment to it, though I can't claim to have used it for any actual production in a good 12 years. Nevertheless, its demise is a sad one. And for PageMaker users out there, it's more than sad. It's almost catastrophic. Fortunately for you, there is a viable alternative in the form of InDesign CS PageMaker Edition. And for those who simply want additional functionality, there's the add-on PageMaker Plug-In Pack. (Throughout this review, I'll use the terms PageMaker Plug-In Pack and InDesign CS PageMaker Edition interchangeably. Any copy of InDesign CS with the PageMaker Plug-In Pack installed is essentially the InDesign CS PageMaker Edition. The difference is that the actual PageMaker Edition is available at a discount to those who currently have a PageMaker license.) The PageMaker Plug-in Pack itself includes a wide range of functionality carried over from PageMaker, not limited exclusively to plugins. This includes workflow functionality, such as the ability to open both PageMaker 6/7 files and QuarkXPress 3/4 documents. (The publication converter also includes the ability to fix damaged PageMaker files.) It also adds imposition and data merge capabilities. Imposition is handled via InBooklet Special Edition from A Lowly Apprentice Production (ALAP). InBooklet SE operates from the File menu and provides imposition capabilities for 2-up saddle stitch, 2-up perfect bound, 2-up consecutive, 3-up consecutive and 4-up consecutive. It also offers the ability to create a new document from the imposition. leaving the original in tact.  For those of you thinking about purchasing the PageMaker Plug-In Pack, note that InBooklet alone sells for $99.99 if purchased separately. The PageMaker Edition also gains data merge functionality via a new Data Merge palette. Data sources (tab- or comma-delineated) are selected within the Data Merge palette, and fields can then be dragged to frames or text insertion points in the open document. It also includes various options for fitting content from data sources. It's a great addition for those who regularly build buyer's guides and product guides, not to mention catalogs and other layouts that require the insertion of variable data.  Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next Related sites: • Creative Mac • Digital Media Designer • Digital Producer • The WWUG Related forums: [an error occurred while processing this directive] 
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