Desktop publishing software allows you to combine text and graphics (pictures, lines, boxes, etc.) on a single printed page. The most popular desktop publishing packages are Aldus PageMaker, Quark Xpress, and Ventura Publishing. The desktop publishing package on our network is Express Publisher.
In years past when a page designer wanted
to create a layout, he/she would
have to cut out articles and pictures
to paste on a layout board. Lines
and boxes would have to be drawn
by hand. Today's computers make
this process much easier. Design
skills still need to be mastered, but
the mechanics of laying out the page
can be done by anyone owning a
computer.
Regardless of which software you purchase to do desktop publishing, there are three general topics (or objects) you need to be familiar with: text, graphics, and the toolbox. Then you should learn how those objects are manipulated in your particular desktop publishing package.
Text
Text can be typed right in the desktop publishing software. Then it can be moved around on the page; its size can be changed; and it can be changed into columns.
Generally, text is created in your favorite word processor then it is brought into the desktop publishing software (this is called importing text). This allows you to use the features of your word processor such as spell check and formatting.
Graphics
Graphics are pictures or charts which you place on the page. Graphics are of many different types. Collections of pictures (called clip art) are available. You can use a computerized drawing program (such as Corel Draw) to draw a picture. You can use a spreadsheet program to create a graph. Or you can scan a drawing or photograph (using a scanner).
Regardless of how your graphic is created, it will be a file on a computer disk. Desktop publishing software allows you to bring that graphic into the program and place it on the page. After it is placed on your layout page, you can move it, size it, and manipulate it (reverse it, shade it, etc.).
The Toolbox
Each desktop publishing package has a set of computer tools to draw lines, boxes, and circles. Some packages also have tools to manipulate graphics (enlarge, reduce, shade, etc.).
A mouse is used to create with a tool. The procedure is to click on the tool, click and hold the mouse button (to set the starting point), drag the mouse to the opposite corner of the graphic, then release the mouse button (to finalize the graphic).
Designing a page
It is a real art to be able to design a page so it is attractive and accomplishes its purpose. You should learn such things as balance, justification, and white space. Headlines should be in fonts without serifs* and body text should be in fonts with serifs*.
You should always sketch out the design of your page before you compose the document on the computer. After creating the design and making the sketch, it is a simple matter to lay out the page.
Express Publisher
COMPOSING A NEW DOCUMENT
1. Pull down the File menu and select New.
2. Click on the icon showing how many columns you want.
3. Click on the radio button showing the paper size you will be using.
4. Click on OK
IMPORTING THE TEXT
1. Click on the page to show where you want the upper-left hand corner of the text to appear (this can always be changed later).
2. Pull down the File menu and choose Import Text.
3. Type the filename of the text you want to Import. (You may have to change to the directory where you originally saved the text.)
4. Create headlines: Click on the Text tool, click where you want the headline to appear, select the proper font size and style, and enter the headline.
IMPORTING A PICTURE
1. Pull down the File menu and select Import Picture.
2. Type the filename of the picture you want to Import (you may have to change to the directory where your picture is saved on the hard disk).
3. Using the mouse, click on the picture (keep the mouse button down) and drag the picture to the position you want it.
4. Size the picture by dragging on the "handles" or "buttons" appearing on the frame around the picture.
5. Click the Text Wrap tool (which looks like a black circle with lines of text to the left of the circle).
6. Click within the text frame but outside the edges of the picture. If you click the picture by mistake, a dialog box appears telling you that you must select a text frame first.
7. Click the picture and the text will wrap around the picture.
Graphics Tools
After the page is basically done, use the tools in the toolbox to create lines, circles, and boxes to enhance objects on the page.
Printing, Saving, and Exiting
Printing, saving, and exiting Express Publishing is all done in the File menu. Pull down the File menu and select Print, Save, or Exit.
* Serifs are little lines drawn on letters so the letters in a word appear more connected. Serifs are sometimes called feet. Here are a few letters with serifs and without serifs:
with serifs: d f h i k l m p q u w
without serifs: d f h i k l m p q u w
