Danny Amor's Online Library/Danny Amor's Online Library - Volume 1.iso/html/faqs/faq/pagemaker-faq/part2

Text File | 1995-07-25 | 29.5 KB | 575 lines

Subject: PageMaker Frequently Asked Questions, part 2/3
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.pagemakr,alt.aldus.pagemaker,alt.answers,news.answers
From: [e-mail] (Geoffrey William Peters)
Date: 21 Jun 1994 11:06:48 GMT

Archive-name:  pagemaker-faq/part2
Last-modified: 1994/06/17
Version:       31


This is part two of the Frequently Asked Questions listing for the Pagemaker
Bitnet Listserv. This file can be retrieved in its entirity along with other
Pagemaker related documents via anonymous FTP at ftp.dopig.uab.edu in the
info/pagemakr/faq directory. Hypertexted versions are also available. Please
see part one of the FAQ for more information.
==============================================================================

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. General PageMaker Questions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--> 4.1   What are the important PageMaker-related phone numbers?
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Please note that Aldus does not have a standard toll-free customer
   service number unless you purchase one of the premium service policies
   (i.e.- Premium Plus, Scholastic Plus, Corporate Library, etc.). For
   regular technical support, there are the following numbers:

      Macintosh Products:                Windows & OS/2 Products:
      -----------------------------      -------------------------------
      PageMaker      [phone]      PageMaker      [phone]
      FreeHand       [phone]      Database Ed    [phone]
      Persuasion     [phone]      FreeHand       [phone]
      PrePrint       [phone]      Persuasion     [phone]
      PressWise      [phone]      PhotoStyler    [phone]
      Fetch          [phone]      TrapWise       [phone]
                                         PMaker OS/2    [phone]

      Customer Relations / Services      [phone]
      Aldus' FAX number                  [phone]

   Aldus does, however, offer a free 1-800 service for automated voice-mail.
   That number, available 24 hours a day, is 1-800-288-6832; you must have a
   touch tone phone in order to use this service. Lastly, there is a
   "pay-as-you-go" 900 number that costs $2 a minute (I think). That
   million-dollar number is [phone].

   Aldus' BBS number is 206-623-6984 and uses 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and
   no parity (81N). The BBS will accept from 1200bps to 14,400bps speeds.
   The BBS currently is only used for downloading files, not for product
   support.

   If you do call the Tech support number and your 30 minutes of support is
   up, you can have them charge the call to a credit card for $20 bucks a
   call. (gulp). A flat fee for one year of unlimited calls is also
   available. Anybody know how much?

   For those of you in Europe, here are some useful numbers for your neck of
   the woods:

      Adobe Systems Europe     31 (20) 6767 661
      Adobe Systems UK         44 (81) 547 1900
      Aldus UK                 44 (31) 220 4747
      Apple Computer UK        44 (81) 569 1199
      Interleaf UK             44 (81) 948 0094
      Micrografx UK            44 (483) 747526
      Microsoft UK             44 (734) 391123
      NeXT                     44 (81) 565 0005
      Ventura                  44 (753) 505202


   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--> 4.2  How do I have a truly fixed spaced document?
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   If you are trying to create a document with true fixed spaced character,
   try using Courier with 100% word and character spacing and no tracking.


   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--> 4.3  How can I create drop caps in PageMaker?
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   PageMaker 5.0 supports the Drop Cap capability through the Aldus
   Additions (under the Utilities menu). You can insert a tab in between the
   drop cap and the second letter if you are having troubles. For those of
   you, however, that do not like this Addition or have a pre-4.2 version,
   you can create drop caps manually. This can be done in one of many
   different ways; four that are particularly easy are:

   Method #1
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   First, you can cut the letter you wished dropped and place it into a new
   text block. Then you can resize it and move it to where you wish. In
   order to force subsequent lines to wrap around the drop cap without
   modify the margins, you can draw a box around the drop cap, set the line
   width to none and set the text wrap feature on. Be sure to have the drop
   cap entirely within the wrap border of the box, or else it will wrap
   itself out of the box! (Thanks goes to Brian Fisk for the invisible box.)

   Method #2
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   Or second, if you are a Macintosh user, you can use the Scrapbook to
   convert the capital letter from PageMaker text to a graphics image. With
   this method, you can utilize the "text wrap" capability. Be sure to Place
   the scrapbook file to convert it to a graphics.

   If you are using System 7, you will have to use ResEdit or DeskZap to
   change the format for the Scrapbook File to ZSYS, or use the previous
   version of the Scrapbook.

   Method #3
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   For another method, there are the following steps:

     1. Set an indent for the first four lines of a paragraph that is
        outside the width of the character you plan to use as a drop cap.
     2. Format a character separately from the document in the appropriate
        point size.
     3. Click on the character block and drag it into the indented space you
        set aside at the start of the paragraph.
     4. You can then use PM's indent-tabs feature to adjust the paragraph
        text to run around the drop cap correctly. This method seems to work
        fairly quickly and allows you to perform the whole operation in PM
        without needing to use the scrapbook or a graphics program.

   Method #4
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   And finally, to make sure you have enough alternatives, here is a process
   suggested by Jason Kim that maintains itself after later text
   re-adjustment. His method splits up your paragraph into four separate
   paragraphs, each of which have their own style definition:

     1. Define a style called "Drop cap" with the big letter subscripted and
        the subscript position set (via "Options") so that the letter
        appears to sit on the n-th line down. Let's say n=3; then with a
        pica grid, have it so that your approx. 39-pt capital sinks down to
        the 36 pi mark. Unfortunately this has the effect of leaving a
        seemingly blank line at the top of the text box (since the letter
        there is subscripted so far).
     2. Define another style called "Drop cap paragraph, line 1" ("DCPL1")
        which is set to small caps and force justified. Also turn off
        tracking -- otherwise the caps tend to bunch up. This paragraph has
        a left margin > 0, to be adjusted depending on the cap.
     3. Define "DCPL2-3," which applies to the other two indented lines.
        This style is just the body text style force-justified and with the
        left margin > 0.
     4. Finally, "DCPL4-" is just body text unindented.

   After defining these Styles (using your Body text as a base) you can
   create the paragraph simply by:

     1. Make a hard return after the initial capital, go back and set it to
        the "Drop cap." style.
     2. Set the rest of the paragraph to "DCPL1" and adjust the left margin
        on the first line.
     3. Stick a hard return at the end of the first line and set the rest to
        "DCPL2-3." Adjust the left margin of lines 2-3.
     4. Put in another hard return at the end of line 4 and set the
        remaining text to "DCPL4-".


   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--> 4.4  My file size for PageMaker documents keeps increasing --  what
         causes it and how can I reduce the file size?
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   The answer to this question depends on which version of PageMaker you are
   using. Before version 4.01, PageMaker would save your file by appending
   the changes you have made to the end of the file. Thus, your file
   steadily gets larger and larger. To circumvent this problem, you can
   choose the Save As... option and "re-save" your file by replacing itself.
   This way, it forces a complete, new, resave.

   For the more recent versions, you can specify in the Preferences Menu
   which way PageMaker should save the file. The default method is "Faster".
   I, personally, would recommend choosing the "Smaller" method though it
   does take longer to save the file this way. If your file is somehow
   damaged, you are much more likely to recover it if it was saved with the
   smaller method.

   Greg DeBruyn has also suggested zooming out on each page before saving.
   Evidently, Greg experienced larger files (400K for 10 page doc) decreased
   (to 300K) when each file was zoomed out. I, however, could not reproduce
   this with either Smaller or Faster saves on the PC.

   Lastly, it is surprising how many people do not take full use of
   PageMaker's link capabilities. If you have a large graphic file, you can
   elect to not have the actual graphic file be stored internally in you
   PageMaker documents. Look up "links" in your PageMaker manual.


   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--> 4.5  My PageMaker document will not open due to errors. What to do?
         My machine crashed during my PageMaker session. Help!
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   When your PageMaker doc fails to load due to a corrupted table or "bad
   record index" or any other various reasons, there are thankfully some
   alternatives.

   The first thing to try is to use your backup copy that you have been
   diligently keeping up-to-date, and make a backup of the backup before
   opening it. This can not be stressed enough -- back everything up!

   You didn't make a backup, though, or your backup failed too. Then, if you
   are able to open the document but it appears to have errors in it, try to
   recompose the entire document by pressing shift-option and selecting the
   Hyphenation command from the Type Menu. PageMaker will run a diagnostic
   check on the document and try to repair it. (I should mention that some
   people insist this is all just hoopla and "mythology" -- despite it being
   mentioned in the PM5 manual. Nobody is certain if this is really doing
   anything!)

   PageMaker will respond to the recomposition with one of three messages:

      One beep       --   The document is OK
      Two beeps      --   The document had problems but has been repaired.
      Three beeps    --   The document had problems that could not be
                          repaired.

   If the document had two beeps, it sometimes helps to repeat the process
   several times -- sometimes PageMaker does not get everything on the first
   or second pass. Ken Kreshtool actually said the Aldus' tech support
   suggested doing the shift-option-hyphenation procedure any time an old PM
   document is brought into a newer version. One more thing on this subject
   -- someone suggested that PM 4.0 for the Mac uses option + spacing
   instead of shift-option-hyphenation. Can someone verify this?

   Next, try opening the document as a "Copy" rather than opening the
   original publication. Many times this corrects the problem. If this
   fails, open a New document and try Placing the corrupted document into
   the new one. This way you can at least recover the text. Also try
   importing the style definitions.

   If you are working on a PC and the program crashed while you were working
   on the document, look in your Temp directory for any ~PM4xxxxx.TMP files.
   If there are any present, rename them to something else and try to pull
   them up into PageMaker.

   If you are working on a Mac, you can find the temp file in a folder
   titled "[your drive name] recovered items" in the trash. If there is a
   file there, rename it to something else and attempt to load it into
   PageMaker.

   If all this fails, start praying. You can try copying the file to a new
   one, and converting it to another platform (PC-MAC), among other things.
   You might start looking into some of the expletives mentioned in question
   3.5 ;-)

   One good suggestion in preventive medicine is use the Save Smaller option
   under Preferences. There is a better chance of recovering the file.

   Finally, one last suggestion comes from Henry Budgett: for those of you
   who are working on a Macintosh, you can try a program called "CanOpener"
   -- it's supposed to be good at recovering files from within files. In the
   old days of version 1 and 2 (on the Mac) there was a program called The
   Ripper which brought your data back from the dead! (PM crashed a LOT in
   those days!)

   Note: there is a bug in converting 3.0 to 4.0 that occasionally causes
   corrupted files.


   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--> 4.6  How can I break the links with the files I imported?
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   To Unlink a file, simply go to the links selection in the File Menu. (You
   can also press Command =.) A dialog box appears with the files linked to
   your publication. Click on the file name you want to unlink and then
   click on "Unlink" at the bottom of the dialog box. Ta-Da!


   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--> 4.7  How do I rotate text? graphics?
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   PageMaker 5.0 now supports text and graphics rotations in one-hundredth
   degree increments. Please note that the text is also editable in-place
   now (i.e., you can use the text tool to modify the text without having to
   "unrotate" it).

   If you have PageMaker 4.x, you can only rotate text at 90 degree
   increments. Unfortunately, PageMaker 4.x will not support the rotation of
   graphics nor will it rotate text in smaller increments. Even trying to
   place the image as an in-line graphic and rotating it will not work.

   There is an Aldus Addition for Mac's 4.2, however, that supports rotation
   of smaller increments. Many of the draw programs will also support both
   text and graphic rotation -- and you can export the rotations into PM.

   David McCullum makes this suggestion regarding rotated and skewed items
   in PageMaker 5.0: "Rotated and/or skewed graphics may look cool, but your
   PS printer and your service bureau will hate them. A rotated TIFF file
   may cause your page to take forever to print--if it comes out at all! A
   better bet may be to use PM5's rotation or skewing tools to determine the
   degree of alteration desired, but to then apply the same amount of
   alteration in your image editing package and re-place the resulting file."


   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--> 4.8  Tell me about Aldus Additions.  What Additions already exist?
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Aldus has a new policy where they allow outside software vendors to sell
   add-on features for PageMaker.  They are called Aldus Additions and are
   similar to Quark Extensions.

   One vendor is Equilibrium, who sells Rotate This! and Import That!. The
   former will allow the rotation of bitmapped graphics in PageMaker, the
   latter will allow the importation of the following file formats: bob,
   bmp, dr. halo cut, gif, iff/lbm, img (gem), lotus pic, msp type 1, pcp,
   pcx, pcc, pixare, qdv, raw RGB, rle, tga, and WPG (PC 5.1).

   The address is:  Equilibrium
                    914 Mission Ave. 2nd floor
                    San Rafael, CA 94901
                    1-800-524-8651 Dept. EC2   (ordering number)
                    1-415-332-4343             (support/questions)

   Another Additions is the PM Pro Kit by EDCO Services. It features type
   distortion, kerning capabilities, rotate and merge, a pica gauge, and
   assistance in setting up column guides. They also have a product called
   PM Tracker. EDCO's  Address is:

                    EDCO Services, INC.
                    12410 North Dale Mabry Highway
                    Tampa, FL  33618
                    1-800-523-TYPE

   Aldus also has a whole list of additions that are available for PM 5.0.
   Check the original documents that came with PM 5.0.

   If you are a programmer and would like to create your own Aldus addition,
   please contact Lisa Wise, Developer Technology Manager, at [phone].


   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--> 4.9  How do I set gradient fills on letters?
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   In PageMaker it is easy to create a text box that is filled with an 80%
   shade of black. It is not so obvious, though, to have letters that are of
   a percent shade of black.

   Here is how to do it: Use the define colors in PageMaker, pick the CMYK
   model and set all settings to zero except for the black. Move the black
   to the desired percent setting and then give the color definition a name.
   Change the text to the desired shade by using the color palette.

   Dan Druliner makes the observation, however, that if you define the CMYK
   color as a spot color, and print separations, it will come out on a
   separate layer. Thus, if you are using 5.0 it is best to define the shade
   as a tint instead.


   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--> 4.10 Does PageMaker offer a site license for a network installation?
         How do I install PageMaker 5.0 onto a network?
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   PageMaker 4.x, as are all Aldus products, is network aware, but is not
   networkable. That is to say that the license prohibits you from loading
   the application onto a network server.

   However, there is a network license that will allow you to load the
   software onto the server (it's free), but you will still have to have one
   copy of the software loaded for every node that plans to run PageMaker in
   order to legally comply with the license (in other words, ugggh).

   Please note that there are indeed ways to load a single copy onto a
   server, resource files onto the local node drive, and use products to
   monitor usage and licenses (such as Brightwork's Sitelock).  However,
   since this technically violates the letter of the license agreement no
   one can, in good faith, recommend this practice. (I have heard of other
   companies, though, approving of such a setup.)

   PageMaker 5.0 has a similar policy, but goes out of its way to make sure
   you are abiding by it. When PM5 is run, it checks across the LAN to see
   if its serial number is in use. If it is, a dialog box pops up and tells
   you that you are out of luck. If it is not, then you are fine.

   Multiple simultaneous users on a LAN are supported by PM LAN Packs which
   are copies of PM5 that give you one set of documentation and one set of
   diskettes -- but multiple copies of Disk #2 (one for each license). When
   you install a LAN Pack, you designate each Disk 2 to a specific user or
   workstation. This gives each installation a unique number. (Much thanks
   to David McCullum for making this clear!)


   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--> 4.11 I am experiencing printing woes. Suggestions?
         How can I get my crop marks to work in PageMaker 5.0?
         The standard fills are not working correctly in PageMaker 5.0?
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Just about every application has at least a few bugs in it. It appears as
   though PageMaker 5.0's bugs are numerous in the printings areas. Numerous
   people on both Mac and PC platforms have reported printing problems,
   ranging from total inoperability to extreme slowness.

   The quickest suggestion I can make is to attempt smaller jobs -- send
   only 2 or 3 pages and see how it does.

   Perhaps most importantly, PageMaker has released a new patch version
   named 5.0a. This should be readily available a number of places (check
   where the archives are stored -- question 3.9). This patch addresses a
   few printing problems among other things.

   Next, call Aldus. First, this keeps them aware of their problems.
   Secondly, they should be the first to know when fixes are available. If
   you do find out something new, please post to the group so that we can
   all be up-to-date.

   The rest of the solutions are organized by topics:

   Windows Platform
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   The first thing to check if you are a PC user with a PostScript or HP
   printer is to verify that you are using PageMaker's new printer drivers
   instead of your Windows 3.x drivers. When you get an "old printer driver"
   warning, this is often the cause. Go to the Control Printer, double click
   "Printers", choose "Add" and then "Install". Plop the last PageMaker
   installation disk in and choose the correct printer.

   For Windows users, try have the PostScript error handler downloaded with
   the print job -- there is an option for it in the Printer Options dialog
   boxes. If you are using Windows 3.0 you can still download the error
   handler (though I can not guarantee that it is similar to 3.1's handler).
   Choose the Option button while configuring your printer and hold down the
   Alternate key and the "E" key. This will download the handler.

   If your graphics are printing upside down from Windows, see question 7.4

   Macintosh Platform
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   For Macintosh users, please be aware that the PPDs for PageMaker 5.0 are
   different the for previous versions.  Specifically PM 5.0 uses PS Level 2
   PPDs. If you get a "Bad Printer Definition File" while printing from
   PageMaker 4.x and PageMaker 5.0 is also installed on your system, this is
   likely the problem.

   If you are using the 8.0 version of the LaserWriter driver it is highly
   suggested that you upgrade it. Version 8.1.1 can be FTP'ed from
   ftp.apple.com in the directory dts/mac/sys.soft/imaging/laserwriter.8.1.
   This driver also solves many of the problems of Version 7.

   If you are using System 7 on the Mac, make sure you are using at least
   System 7.0.1 and TuneUp 1.1.1. If you are using an older TuneUp, be sure
   to upgrade. (Thanks David!)

   Mac users might also try using the Mac system driver rather than Aldus'
   replacement. To do this, hold the Option key down while choosing Print...
   from the File menu. (Cmd-Opt-P won't work).

   Postscript
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   There is one problem that often occurs with PostScript emulating or
   PostScript generic printers that use Apple LaserWriter series (or some
   other standard) printer drivers. Typically, the PPD associated with the
   Laserwriter is highly tuned to that printer and thus may have differences
   with your actual printer's setup.

   Most often, there is a disagreement on the amount of virtual memory your
   printer has -- which can make a great difference in printing speeds and
   sizes. If you would like more information on how to check/modify this,
   contact me, post to the list or call Aldus. If this proves to be a common
   problem, I will include the instructions of how to update your PPD in
   future editions of the FAQ.

   Some bold folks say to multiply the free VM value in your PPD by a
   tenfold, and then back down from this value when fonts begin to be
   substituted with Courier. Supposedly, this will increase your chance of a
   successful print. Others counter that this is treading a dangerous line
   to the dark side...

   Jim makes the following interesting tip: If you are using EPS graphics,
   before printing, select all your EPS graphics and use the command to
   "send to back" (Ctrl-B or Command-B). When PM encounters an EPS graphic,
   it clears the RAM deck, allowing the EPS as much printer RAM as possible
   to handle the EPS - then it redownloads the fonts. By sending the EPS
   images to the back, they'll get imaged before any of your fonts are
   downloaded - saving you at least one, or more "clearings of the RAM
   deck", and another download of your fonts. (Please be sure that this does
   not change your design however.)

   Don't rule out contacting your printer manufacturer for more up-to-date
   PPDs. Furthermore, if your printer supports both PCL and PostScript, be
   sure to try both methods. Also, you might try forcing the PPD to use
   Level I code.

   HP LaserJets
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   If you are using a DeskJet 1200C/PS color laser, open the PPD file into a
   text editor and remove the space at the end of the line that says
   "*ColorDevice: True". Then save it and try again. Thanks Brad!

   If you are using an HP LaserJet 4 and cannot print rotated items, are
   receiving "Print Overflow" errors, or it is taking millenniums to print,
   here are a few solutions/work-arounds:

     HP suggests that you use an updated driver, version 1.27. Call HP
        to get an upgrade at [phone]. (Thanks Ray Van)
     Use the LaserJet III driver -- this will allow rotated text in
        closer-to-normal printing times, but at 300 dpi. (Thanks Geri)
     Use PostScript if your LJ4 supports it.

   Geri also remarks that if you are experiencing strange kerning in rotated
   text on a LaserJet, that you may be using old PCL drivers. Call HP at
   [phone] or at [phone].

   The 5.0a patch fixes a problem with some LaserJets that would incorrectly
   switch between PostScript and PCL modes. (question 3.9)

   Misc Bugs and Further Suggestions
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   One known bug in PageMaker 5.0 is in the crop marks. The image area for
   crops must equal .875" in addition to selected page size in each
   dimension. If necessary, create a custom page size and ignore the error
   messages.

   Another bug is with the standard Postscript fills with certain video
   drivers and non-Postscript printers. The current work around for this
   known bug is to define a new Tint color of the correct % black you
   desire. Use this defined color instead of the standard fill. Also
   experiment with the "Allow PCL Halftoning" selection in the "Colors"
   submenu for best results.

   PageMaker 5.0 downloads as entire sets instead of a character at a time,
   as was done in previous versions. Thus, if you have a typeface with a bug
   in one of the more obscure characters, this could also cause your printer
   to wander into never-never land. Some Corel fonts are known to have
   problems because of this (see question 7.1). Also, try setting the "Page
   Independent" box to on in the PostScript printer driver dialog box.

   Another thing you should check is your screen saver. Certain screen
   savers, if they come on during your printing, will cause the printer to
   forget the rest of your printout. To prevent this, either put the mouse
   in the "No-Blank" corner or set the screen save interrupt high enough so
   that it will not interrupt the printout.

   Catherine Hampton also found out from an Aldus support rep that adjusting
   the internal clipboard size may solve some printing problems. To change
   this, go into File Preferences Other, and increase the value for the
   "Maximum size of internal bitmap". The default value is 64 and can go as
   high as 1024K.

   Finally, Bruce Patterson has created a lengthy Printing Help File that
   can be found in the Archives (question 3.9). This file is very helpful in
   tracking down printing problems.

   We will try to keep every one abreast of the situation. Please post to
   the list if you discover a work-around to a printing problem you have
   experienced.


   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--> 4.12 How can I get WinFax to work with PageMaker 5.0?
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   As you can guess the problems with faxing in PageMaker 5.0 is linked with
   the printing problems. If you are using a FAX program (such as WinFax),
   be sure that the software (WinFax Administrator) is running before
   printing to the FAX modem. Also, FAXes will have a better range of
   grayscales if the "Allow PCL Halftoning" box in the print menu is not
   checked. (Thank you Tony Thomas for the bug reports.)

   Upgrade to 5.0a if you are still having trouble with faxing from PM -- it
   fixes a few bugs.