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Features:
* Create professional-quality publications * Build from scratch or
choose from hundreds of templates * Achieve a uniform look with master
frames to hold text and graphics * Professional typesetting with kerning
and tracking * Includes thousands of clip art photos and illustrations
Adobe may have the lock on professional graphics production with
Photoshop, but it has long been engaged in a drawn-out battle with Quark
for the hearts and wallets of the desktop publishing crowd. PageMaker
7.0, Adobes latest effort in the desktop publishing arena, wont set it
ahead of QuarkXPress 4.1, but it does have plenty of appeal for small
businesses and other audiences that have minor publishing needs.
PageMaker 7.0s user guide measures in at more than 400 pages, and it
thoughtfully explains every aspect of the vast and complex program. A
wide range of impressive-looking templates, which cover just about every
type of document imaginable (including business cards, labels,
newsletters, ads, posters, and more), makes PageMaker a little more
accessible to users unfamiliar with its functionality. The templates are
divided into various levels of complexity, with the lowest level
containing helpful annotations for novice users. While its improvements
over version 6.5 are minimal, PageMaker 7.0 makes a few worthy strides
to justify its sparkly new version number. Among the most welcome is a
surprisingly intuitive data merge feature, which allows users to
configure target areas in their publications and import respective
fields from a spreadsheet or database. Unfortunately, it only recognizes
comma-delineated CSV or TXT files; it doesnt import data directly from
common file formats created by Microsoft Excel or Lotus 1-2-3.
Ironically, another area of improvement in PageMaker 7.0 is
compatibility with other programs. It easily imports and handles layered
image files from Illustrator and Photoshop 5.0 and 6.0, and features
input converters for files created in QuarkXPress and Microsoft
Publisher. PageMakers PDF export capabilities have been enhanced both in
the main program and with the included Acrobat Distiller applet,
allowing users to configure security and embedded tag options. Even with
its plethora of templates, PageMaker 7.0 isnt by any means an
entry-level application. Nonprofessional users who have never used a
high-caliber desktop publishing program should probably consider a
simpler package such as Microsoft Publisher. While hardened,
professional magazine designers tend to prefer QuarkXPress, Adobe
PageMaker 7.0 is nonetheless a complex and powerful tool that packs a
serious learning curve. PageMaker 7.0 is perfect for small businesses
that cant afford to hire out designers for promotional materials, or for
companies that have the need to create professional-looking PDF files.
Owners of PageMaker 6.5 might not feel compelled to upgrade, but
companies and creative folks newly in the market for a muscular desktop
publishing tool will be well served by PageMaker 7.0
System requirements:
* Pentium processor * Microsoft Windows 98, NT 4.0, 2000, or Me * 32 MB
RAM (48 MB recommended) * 175 MB hard disk space (200 MB recommended) *
CD-ROM drive * 8-bit video card with 800 x 600 resolution display and
256 colors (24-bit, high-resolution display recommended) * For Adobe
PostScript printers: Adobe PostScript Level 2 or later |
