Getting Started With PageMaker - Graphics Handling, Basic

Graphics Handling

With the grid set up and text formatting established, we're now ready to complete the layout by bringing in the graphics. It's often said that a picture is worth a thousand words and it's true that without them it would be very difficult to catch and keep the reader's attention. Even so there are limits, and I'm baffled by the urge to introduce lame-brained, badly-drawn clipart on the slightest pretext. If the image adds nothing, drop it. Fortunately that's not a problem as we have a good range of photos and line art covering a wide range of subjects. 

In terms of positioning and sizing the graphics a number of factors come into play. Obviously the pictures have to be positioned next to their relevant text, but it's important to try and disperse them equally throughout the spread both horizontally and vertically. Image type - line art and photos - and image subject - people and buildings - should also be mixed to give as much contrast as possible. To achieve this it is often necessary to reorder the text. The size of each image is largely determined by the grid, with graphics either scaled to the full width of the column or, if text is going to flow around them, to half or a third of the column width. To get an immediate idea of the impact this will have, make sure that Text Wrap is on (Alt + Ctrl + E). 
At the same time, the actual subject of the images must be taken into account. Don't blow up a boring photo just to fill up space. On the other hand if you've got an intriguing photo, as we do for the cover, don't waste it. Mug-shots of people's faces might be commonplace, but they actually play an important role by humanising a layout. Even so they should only be used at relatively small sizes. Also think of any subliminal messages the graphics might be giving. If faces are looking out of design, for example, your readers might well follow suit.

Pagemaker Tutorial - Basic

When you create a publication, PageMaker opens a publication window that contains an empty page centered on the pasteboard. The page and pasteboard, where you lay out text and graphics, are similar to the work space used in traditional paste-up.

a.     The toolbox includes tools for creating or editing objects.

b.     Margins appear as dotted or pink lines.

c.     Page icons show the master pages (L) for left, and R for Right) and the regular pages in the publication.

d.    Rulers help you align objects on the page.

e.    The Colors and Styles palettes are used to add, delete and edit colors

     and styles.

f.     The pasteboard stores items for later use.

g.    The Control palette provides commands for making precise changes to text and graphics.

Viewing Pages:

You can view your pages at several preset magnifications. Alternatively, you can use the zoom tool to specify an area of the page to view, and increase or decrease its magnification at the same time. To change the part of the page or pasteboard the displays at the current view or magnification level, you can scroll within the window using the scroll bars or the hand tool.

Choosing preset page views:

Use commands  on the View menu to display the page or pasteboard at preset views. A page retains its view until you change the view again.

View settings serve various purposes. Use Fit in Window when you need to check the overall composition of a page or a two-page spread; use Actual Size to see text and graphics as they will appear when printed; and choose View>Zoom To> 200% Size or 400% Size when precision is imperative. To find or view objects on the pasteboard, use Entire Pasteboard.

Editing Text in PageMaker

Editing Text:

You can edit text in layout view or in story editor, which is a build-in word processor. You switch between the two views using the Edit Story and Edit Layout commands. In Layout view, you select and edit text with the text tool. This is useful when you need to see how the revisions look on the page or when you are making only a few changes to the text.

In Story editor, you work only on the text, not the layout, so revising text is fast and easy. Working in Storyeditor is a convenient way to type or edit lengthy blocks of text. You can apply formatting to text in storyeditor, but you won’t see most of the formatting until you return to Layout view. You can also use Story editor to find and change text.

To work in Story editor:

1)      Click in a story with the text tool or the pointer tool.

2)      Choose Edit > Edit Story.

3)      When you are finished working in the story editor, choose Edit > Edit Layout to return to Layoutview.

Moving between pages:

You can easily move from one page or spread to another when you are working on a publication with multiple pages. You can go directly to a specific page or thumb through pages in sequential order. You can also view master pages.

To move between publication pages:

Use the technique that suits your needs:

1)    Click a page icon along the bottom of the Layout window (Click the left or right arrows to view lower or higher-numbered page icons).

2)      Choose Layout > Go to Page, and type the page number you want.

3)    To go to the previous page, press the Page Up key and to go to the next page, press the PageDown key.

4)    To go to the beginning of the text line (Windows) or text block (Mac OS), press the Home key. To go to the end of the text line (Windows) or text block (Mac OS), press the End key.

5)     To move sequentially through the publication as in a slide show, press Shift and choose Layout > Go to Page. To stop the slide show, click the mouse, or press any key on the keyboard.