The Unexpected Best Software Titles
Jul 06 '02
The Bottom Line I love programs that make production fast and efficient. These do.
In order to be THE top five software titles in the desktop publishing industry, you have to meet certain criteria. Those criteria are:
1. Productivity: Does the software have what it takes to make your work efficient. For example, do you have the features you need to do your job in a timely fashion?
2. Program Speed: This can make or break a package. Without program speed, great features mean nothing.
3. Ease of Use: Do you struggle with the complexities of the program?
4. Compatibility with other software: When you need to get from one program to another, this becomes very important.
5. Cross-company compatibility: In other words, can you send your work to someone else and will they be able to open and use it.
With those points in mind, here are my top 5 choices for Desktop Publishing software.
1. Adobe Acrobat (version 4.0 and above)with Pitstop Pro Plug-in
What a terrific program and work saver. No more sending tons of loose files to a printer - simply PDF your job and off it goes. Acrobat allows you to save any kind of file (except OPI- open prepress interface) including composite and spot color. It strips out unnecessary information, rasterizes the art (which means you can print to non-postscript printers), stores fonts, and makes your production life sooo much easier. Many big printers prefer you only send them PDF files. I concur. I have included the Acrobat Pitstop Plug-In because it it absolutely essential for validating your files. Unlike Flightcheck, which is a freestanding application, Pitstop loads with Acrobat. And, unlike Flightcheck, it is jam-packed with features which allow you to modify files in so many different ways.
2. QuarkXPress (4.0 and 5.0)
What can I say? Not loaded with built in features like Indesign, but fast, easy to use and easy to enhance with plug-ins. You don't have to worry about your printer having the software-they do; and they prefer it to any other program. QuarkXPress creates PDF files easily, so if you choose to PDF your job, you can with speed. Both 4.0 and 5.0 work beautifully. The 5.0 version has some really wonderful features, including the HTML export, which is terrific. It makes creation of web pages a snap, especially for people with little experience. It also has a tables plug-in as well as a layers palette. This is not a major upgrade to 4.0 (except for the HTML), but it has many, many bug fixes. A great program.
3. Adobe Type Manager Deluxe and Adobe Type Reunion.
This is a wonderful way to load fonts. It organizes by group, has controls to help you manage font loading properly, has built-in font tests for verification purposes, and is absolutely essential for use with postscript type 1 fonts, both on the Mac and the PC. I include Adobe Type Reunion with this, because it also helps organize fonts, but in other software packages. Rather than having a huge list of fonts, you have succinct groupings.
4. Adobe Photoshop.
For photo retouching, this is it. Not an easy program to learn completely, but that shouldn't stop you from using the features that relate to your particular work (i.e. picture retouching). No one should be without Photoshop.
5. Macromedia Freehand
Macromedia has got some great stuff. The thing about Freehand is that it is easy to use, unlike Illustrator, which makes many operations complicated and time-consuming.
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Member: susanne caulfield
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