Page layout package features #2

It is often easier to create long passages of text in a wordprocessor and import it into your DTP publication. Word processors are easier to use as the text is easier to see. If the publication is accepting text contributions from more than one person it is likely these will be done on a word processor. If you import text from a wordprocessor, the DTP software will automatically place the text into columns that you have ceated. This is called textflow. Textflow can be manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic.

Graphics images are more often created outside the DTP software. Clipart or digitised original drawings are imported into planned locations on the page. Once placed, the graphic can be moved, resized, cropped, panned, deleted or stretched.

Colour is a powerful feature in a publication. DTP software is capable of adding colour to text and graphics, and importing colour graphics. Colour is produced in two different ways. Process colour (eg high quality photos) is achieved by overprinting specific percentages of four separate colours: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Spot colour uses a premixed ink to print individual colours one at a time on the page. No overprinting occurs. Colour should be used sparingly as too much colour is tiring and slows a reader down. If colour is used to hide poor design, it often highlights it.

Text enhancement can be achieved in the following ways

·        Choice of typeface

·        Use of bold, italic or underlined text

·        Size of font

·        Justification: left, right, centre or full

·        Spacing between letters, words and lines

·        Headlines

·        Use of drop caps

·        Graphics

·        Colour

·        Rotated or curved text

·        Column layout

Terms

MASTER PAGES                 COLOUR REGISTRATION MARKS           GLOSSARY

COLOUR PALETTE             TEXT ENHANCEMENT                               SPELLCHECK

CUSTOMISE                         CASE CONVERSION                                  TABS

INDENTS                                           PATERN FILL                                                           TRACKING

KERNING                                           LEADING

Theory Exercises	Practical Exercises
P246 Q1 to Q2	P246 activity
P248 Mix & Match	P252 activity 1,2,3
P252 Mix & Match