This package is a new offering from SmartDTP and is designed as a resource pack to work in conjunction with your existing DTP and graphics packages. The package comprises three discs of compressed graphic design work and an A5, 12-page manual, presented in a small video type box. You have a choice of disc formats to cater for 800Kb or 1600Kb drives, and also a choice of format for the graphics Ö you can have Artworks or drawfile format to suit your needs. There is no disc protection, so making a backup or installing onto hard disc is a simple matter.
Fire &
Safety
Published by
Dinbury Fire Brigade
October 1994
The content
In the case of the review copy, all files are compressed onto three 800Kb discs using ArcFS2; a copy of the read-only version is included on disc one for decompression purposes. Once decompressed, the drawing files (in Artworks Format in the review case) total almost 5Mb of data. The files are broken down into 7 main topic areas, Backdrops, Quick paper, Page Layout, Highlights, Patterns, Stencils and Symbols.
Backdrops
This section gives you a selection of 60 backdrops to choose from, in full colour. They are ideal for posters, notices etc and are quick and easy to use. Most drop into an A4 page, and only minor adjustment is required to cater for different border settings.
Quick paper
This is similar to the Backdrop area but incorporates single or folded sheet design with built-in borders and, as the name suggests, is for the occasion when a quick result is needed. The immediate use of part of this section that springs to mind is for fax messages or frontispieces.
Page layout
This is a collection of patterned bands for headers, footers margins and titles.
Highlights
This section is a compilation of numerous different scrolls tags and underlines and a few other methods for highlighting a specific bit of text.
Patterns
This section is a collection of 120 tiles, most of which are in full colour, which can be used to compile further tiled backdrops or used to make backplates for use with the stencil option
Stencils
This section is a collection of shapes converted to stencils, allowing a background design or panel to show through to the front. Also included in this section is a selection of irregular frames for use with Impression Publisher. It should be remembered though, that these will be made up of straight lines only.
Symbols
These are all general symbol shapes which may be used on their own or for use as bullets.
The example cover above?????????? is a copy of one shown in the manual, using the fire backdrop along with standard frames and coloured text, a very simple technique which gives a striking result very quickly.
Conclusion
As with all graphics work, it is a matter of personal taste and choice. Most of the designs are quite simple in nature and would be relatively easy to design from scratch, provided you know what you want. The beauty of a package like this is that all the designs are there as a starting point and can be worked on as much or as little as you desire to achieve your final goal. Also, if a quick result is required, the more choice you have the better. A package like this will always get the thumbs up approval on my part, for this very reason.
This package is currently priced at ú29.95 inclusive from SmartDTP.áu
