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G-mac · Nov 20, 2002, 01:37 PM

Hi all!

I have a question about print magazine development. If I choose software other than InDesign or Quark for design/layout/publishing/etc. will it be harder/impossible to work with printers and publishers?

Corel, PubProX, and even Apple offer alternatives, but are there ways to convert their files easily if required? Are they utterly lacking in features? Should I just go mainstream and forgo any possible conflicts in the future?

I'm done my initial writing/editing phase and am in the process of creating a rough copy of my magazine to present to potential subscribers, publishers, and organizations. I'm not sure whether I will even print out the copy or just bring along a CD with my magazine in it. I would greatly appreciate any info you'd like to share. Thanks.

iT4c0 · Nov 20, 2002, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by G-mac:
Hi all!

I have a question about print magazine development. If I choose software other than InDesign or Quark for design/layout/publishing/etc. will it be harder/impossible to work with printers and publishers?

Corel, PubProX, and even Apple offer alternatives, but are there ways to convert their files easily if required? Are they utterly lacking in features? Should I just go mainstream and forgo any possible conflicts in the future?

I'm done my initial writing/editing phase and am in the process of creating a rough copy of my magazine to present to potential subscribers, publishers, and organizations. I'm not sure whether I will even print out the copy or just bring along a CD with my magazine in it. I would greatly appreciate any info you'd like to share. Thanks.

For my school, I've been to a lot of print shop for field trip. Most of the printers support the software other than Indesign and Quark but all of them perfer you to turn in Indesign or Quark file. It just make their life easier. They will treat you nicer too.

I personaly do not know if it is hard to convert the files but I would still go for Indesign or Quark. As I said earlier, it just make everything nicer and easier. Less trouble!

godzookie2k · 03:29 PM

It is a pain in the ass to convert the files, Use quark or ID, as it will make your life easier, and yes, they are light years ahead in terms of features. And, if you use the alternatives, your printer will actually hate you. Really, he/she will HATE you, so throw last minute changes/favors out the window.

and, is there any reason why you are considering 'alternatives' to Quark and ID, because....threre aren't any.

arrested502 · Nov 20, 2002, 08:56 PM

I've been in the pre-press graphics arena for several years and just now moving into more "design" related work. That said, I totally and 100% agree with what godzookie2k said. As an example, occasionally someone will send me a Word file or something which I can do very little with OR I have to completely re-do thier layout. You'll make thier lives and your life 1000 times easier sticking to the basics/popular applications (Quark, InDesign heck, even <cringe> PageMaker

)

art_director · Nov 22, 2002, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by arrested502:
I've been in the pre-press graphics arena for several years and just now moving into more "design" related work. That said, I totally and 100% agree with what godzookie2k said. As an example, occasionally someone will send me a Word file or something which I can do very little with OR I have to completely re-do thier layout. You'll make thier lives and your life 1000 times easier sticking to the basics/popular applications (Quark, InDesign heck, even <cringe> PageMaker )

I would just like to add that your printers will charge you through the nose for working with other apps. The costs will come out for revisions and misc. computer work. I promise you that.

Also, what application might you want to use instead of Q & ID? They are simply the best tools available for the job you're doing.

mishap · Nov 22, 2002, 02:05 PM

I usually use InDesign and hand off PDF files to printers.

Do the apps that you want to use make PDFs? If they do, it probably isnt that big of a deal

G-mac · Nov 22, 2002, 02:40 PM

I'm currently using an OS 9 version of Photoshop, the Indesign 2.0 demo, and Word X to put together a crude magazine to offer potential partners and subscribers. I'm trying to be cautious in my business purchases since new magazines are likely to flop and I haven't reached out to major financial backers yet (publishers, banks, VCs). Thus, I'm sticking with my PowerBook for now and minimizing and software purchases. I would love to save some money here and there in anticipation of any future cash flow problems. Start small, grow slow. That's my motto for now.

Although software isn't that big a purchase in business terms, I was simply wondering if there were more cost-effective software solutions out there. Those Adobe Collections cost upwards of $1000 - each computer needs its own copy. I've been courted by some decidedly nonstandard software developers who design custom software for magazine publishers (or so I'm led to believe) - PubPro X, Baseview products, etc. These vedors make software collections that are somewhat cheaper, but are customized for magazine publishing, finances, distribution, management, and advertising. However, I'm sure I can find other ways to do this without even using software necessarily.

I'm leaning towards Adobe's offerings since I'm already quite familiar with the software and capabilities. I know enough to put something together, but still have much to learn about InDesign (decent with Photoshop and Illustrator). I'm staying away from PageMaker. Quark, unfortunately, will not be on my list until they go X next year (at some point, maybe). Besides, I've never really used Quark before and based on these forums and others, InDesign is good enough for most basic publishing needs.

Anyway, I really appreciate all of your comments. What I gather is that using mainstream software and file formats (PDF) will really make the whole process more enjoyable for everyone, fast, and less expensive. The content and writing aspect behind magazine publishing is challenging enough! Thanks again all!

godzookie2k · Nov 22, 2002, 02:50 PM

Besides, I've never really used Quark before and based on these forums and others, InDesign is good enough for most basic publishing needs

Heh heh heh, when you get 10 pages into that magazine and you are waiting the fifteen minutes for indesign to scroll to page 11, you'll regret those words.

Godzookie dons flame retardant suit and runs...

art_director · Nov 23, 2002, 08:41 AM

Originally posted by godzookie2k:

Heh heh heh, when you get 10 pages into that magazine and you are waiting the fifteen minutes for indesign to scroll to page 11, you'll regret those words.

Godzookie dons flame retardant suit and runs...

Agreed...Quark is the tool of choice for the task(s) you describe.

I would agree that it totally blows that the Quark staff has not yet made the app run native in OSX. Pathetic, really. I would also say that v.5 is not worth the money. If new users purchase Quark I would STRONGLY reccommend buying the now discounted v.4. Wish I had...

kulverse · Nov 23, 2002, 09:14 AM

Heck, a place wanted to charge me extra for using Quark 5 once.

This was after I asked if I could use it, and they said "Yeah sure, OK, whatever....".

A 138 page Quark document. Some printer just don't listen to artists when they talk...anway...I snagged the file back and converted it to 4 for them (one of the few things that worked right in Q5), checked the file in 4 and a whopping 15 minutes later they had the file back.

Anyway, use Quark 4 all the way. InDesign is great, but slow. Anything else would be frowned upon.

PS: Quark 5 has not been opened since on my computer. What a piece of crap.

G-mac · Nov 23, 2002, 11:48 PM

I have noticed that InDesign 2 is rather slow. If I bought and began using Quark 4.0 (as you've suggested), would I qualify for an upgrade discount? I'm worried that Quark may require everyone to pay full price for their new X-ready version. Would Quark users even have a choice if they decided to do that?

Perhaps I'll try and find the older Quark 4.x via eBay or PriceWatch and learn to use it. In the meantime, I'll continue using Word X and InDesign to put together my mag. Just stopped by the local Apple Store and stared at the 22" Cinema Display connected to a Dual 1Ghz. I was imagining the publishing possibilities...

godzookie2k · Nov 24, 2002, 01:20 AM

hell, if you can't find 4, Quark 3.32 is (imho) the most stable, best version of quark ever (well, maybe second to 4.x), and its more than capable. I know more designers than I'd like to admit STILL using 3.32 every day. The 22" cinema display is pretty impressive looking, and is just as impressive a color correction nightmare I hear.