Text 4 Page layout software

V. Write a short summary of the text.

IV. Speak about the advantages and disadvantages of desk-top publishing.

Offset, editors, reproduced, desk-top publishing, photocomposition, typesetting, printers

1) The term……….. (DTP) was originally used to describe the design and layout ofdocuments.

2) Laser………… with a higher resolution enabled the output to be used as originals for …..…... printing.

3) The desk-top publishing has replaced …………….

4) High resolution scanning of colour pictures cannot be………….. by DTP.

5) Soon all design, ……………..and origination operations will be able to be carried out within DTP.

6) These developments have completely changed the nature of the work done by ……………and designers.

The two most common applications for page layout are QuarkXPress and PageMaker. These and other less used applications allow the importation of text, the selection of typefaces (fonts) and the accurate positioning of the various elements within the page. They can create rule boxes and circles and have a facility to lay percentage lints. Pictures are scanned separately and called in as separate files. Proofs can be produced on a laser printer or more sophisticated digital proofing system for approval, after which the document file (with its separate picture files) or a PostScript file made from it can be sent for output on an imagesetter or platesetter.

Word processing Most text used in DTP is supplied as files created with word processing software (e.g. Word or Word Perfect), so the author of text will supply a file on disk or by telephone (see ISDN below). This can then be edited using the same word processing software, and the final corrected text file used as input for DTP, without needing to be retyped. This speeds up the whole process and dramatically reduces costs, as well as virtually eliminating author's corrections.

Software for drawing, painting and editing images Applications such as Illustrator, Freehand and CorelDraw allow the designer to create illustrations on screen for importation into page layout applications. PhotoShop and other similar software enable existing pictures to be retouched, resized and edited.

Reproduction of pictures Although high quality scanners are becoming more affordable, most high resolution scanning of colour pictures is done by repro houses or bureaux and supplied as separate high-resolution files, These are keyed into low-resolution files in the document, which give the size and position of the pictures.

PostScript is a page description language developed by Adobe Systems Inc. This converts the files from the page layout software into a form which can be used to drive a laser printer, other proofing device or imagesetter or platesetter. The introduction of PostScript was the key development which allowed DTP software to be converted into graphic quality output.

Proofing DTP files can be proofed as black and white or colour laser proofs, or on more sophisticated digital proofing systems such as Iris or Digital Cromalin. These systems can give a very good approximation of the final printed result, which means that a subsequent proof made from the film is not required. If the job is going direct to plate, then there is obviously no facility for a further proof after the digital proof.

Media DTP files can be output to floppy disk (2 Mb) SyQuest cartridge (44 Mb to 200 Mb, Zip disk (100 Mb) or larger jobs (up to 1 Gigabit) can use optical disks, CDs or Jaz disks.

ISDN and modem file transfer To avoid the time and cost of physically sending media to the printer, files can be sent by telephone, either by using a modem or, for larger files, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) line, which allows rapid transfer of large files, This facility is now available in most countries, enabling international transfer of DTP files for local printing.

Final output The DTP files are converted using PostScript either by the designer or the printer. The PostScript file is then put through an RIP (Raster Image Processor), which is a computer device that converts the PostScript data to bitmap format for imaging on an imagesetter or platesetter.

The imagesetter is a device which uses a solid-state or gas laser to record images of text and pictures at high resolution on film, from which offset printing plates are made. A recent development is 'direct to plate^’ where the printing plate is made directly without using film as an intermediate. The platesetter uses a laser to produce the image in the same way as an imagesetter.

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