Page 223 - Encyclopedia of Business and Finance

eobf_D 7/5/06 2:59 PM Page 200

Desktop Publishing

specific ways on each page, the string effect of word pro- inch could be designated either as 14 points or as
cessing can be frustrating and inefficient. That is where 1p2 (1 pica and 2 points).
desktop-publishing software is much more effective. Sophisticated typographic control: Desktop-publishing
Desktop-publishing software is designed as a page- programs often have very sophisticated typo-
layout tool, meaning that its emphasis is not on process- graphic control that results in the most profes-
ing words but on laying out and integrating textual and sional typesetting possible. For example,
graphical elements in a document. Text is generally placed individual character widths and heights can be
in a desktop-publishing document in text boxes or expanded or condensed as needed, and line spac-
“frames” that can be positioned in exact locations on spe- ing and word spacing can be set to custom speci-
cific pages. A “story” or unit of text (such as an individual fications. The appearance of fully justified text
article in a newsletter) may be broken into several frames (text lines that are either “stretched out” or “com-
in a document, and the text will “flow” like a string pressed” to make them all exactly the same
through these frames—but the frames retain their original length) is enhanced by multiline “composition”
sizes, shapes, and positions, and graphical elements are rather than single-line composition typical of
not moved or otherwise affected. word processing. That is, the desktop-publishing
If the addition of a paragraph to a story pushes text software evaluates multiple lines of type at a time
through the associated frames and causes the text to to determine the optimal places to break each
exceed the capacity of those frames, the user is warned line for the most-pleasing overall look of a para-
that some text is not “placed” and must be positioned or graph.
placed by the user. But the overall document layout is not Other advanced features: Desktop-publishing soft-
affected by the new text as it can be in word-processing
ware may include such other advanced features as
software. In short, the desktop-publishing-software user
book and chapter management, built-in manipu-
has greater control over the layout of document elements
lation of graphical elements (such as the addition
than does the word-processing-software user.
of key-line borders, drop shadows, rounded or
beveled corners, and feathered edges), text set on
TYPICAL DESKTOP-PUBLISHING- a curved line, and easy overlapping or “wrap-
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONALITY around” of graphical and textual elements for the
Functions and features that are typically present only in desired effect.
desktop-publishing software and that therefore set desk-
top-publishing software apart from word-processing soft- USING DESKTOP-PUBLISHING
ware include the following: SOFTWARE EFFECTIVELY
Grids and guidelines: Document layout is facilitated An experienced word-processing operator can probably
by nonprinting guidelines and underlying docu- learn to be proficient in using desktop-publishing soft-
ment grids. Graphical and textual elements ware fairly quickly with the right training. Most people
find that the learning curve for desktop-publishing soft-
placed in the document may “snap” to these
ware is much steeper than it is for word-processing soft-
guidelines and grids to ensure alignment with
ware because of the advanced features of
other document elements, creating a more-pro-
desktop-publishing software.
fessional, consistent look in the document.
One of the most-useful practices for effective use of
Printing-industry measurements: Although type size is
desktop-publishing software is that of using both word-
measured in points in both word-processing and
processing and desktop-publishing software in the overall
desktop-publishing software, word-processing
process of creating a desktop-publishing project. Since
software typically uses inches for all other meas- word-processing software is especially suited to entering,
urements. In desktop-publishing software, units editing, and collaborating with others on the basic copy or
of measure more common to the traditional text of a project, it should generally be used to complete
printing industry are used for greater ease and those copy-intensive tasks. Then, when the copy is com-
accuracy. For example, indentations and margins pletely edited and ready for layout and formatting, it can
may be set using picas and points rather than
be imported into desktop-publishing software, where it
inches. (One pica is 12 points, and 6 picas is an
can be laid out on the page along with graphical elements
inch. Thus, an inch is 72 points.) A margin of
much more efficiently because of the advanced page-lay-
three-quarters of an inch would be designated as
out functionality of desktop-publishing software.
54 points or, more typically, 9p0 (9 picas and 0
points). A line height of just over one-sixth of an SEE ALSO Information Technology; Software
200 ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE, SECOND EDITION