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Advice on Illustrator vs Pagemaker

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judycollins

Technical User
Jul 1, 2003
3
US
I'm the newsletter editor for a club. I am looking to purchase a software package to generate the newsletter in. The last editor used word, which is quite limited. I was thinking of using either Adobe Illustrator or Pagemaker, but have not used either. Any advice?
 
Illustrator and Pagemaker are 2 different types of applications. Illustrator is great for creating vector graphics like logos, illustrations and drawings. Pagemaker is a page layout program that is used to layout newsletters, brochures, ad layout and multi-page documents etc. If you don't anticipate having to create alot of graphics, then Pagemaker alone will work. But the two applications together will allow you more creativity for the look of your newsletter.
 
Although Illustrator can be used for layout, it is best for single page layouts such as ads or flyers or posters (particularly where a number of text effects - not available in PM - are used). But AI is effectively confined to single page layouts - not all that suitable for a newsletter.

An additional program to PM you might find more useful is Photoshop, particularly if your newsletter incorporates photos. PS is used for editing photos - resizing, resampling, fixing up imperfections, etc - that PM cannot do.
 
As the other two people mentioned, Illustrator is not really what you need for newsletters. So PageMaker would be a better option BUT if you haven't purchased the software yet, I would avoid PageMaker and go with Adobe InDesign - the most recent desktop publishing tool Adobe has been pushing (and seems to be replacing all QuarkXpress users). Its the latest and greatest, and functions similar to Pagemaker - but better. Adobe's website could explain in detail, but thought I'd recommend.
Good luck
 
Judy,
If you can afford InDesign, buy it. It allows page layout plus image editing, plus illustration, in the same package. This makes sense in a newsletter situation where you need to place text, crop and size an image, reflow the text around the image, and create a banner illustration surrounding your headline. The program isn't perfect but it will take you much further down the path than PageMaker or Illustrator alone. The learning curve is equally as steep as PM or AI and if you're going to have to navigate the curve, you won't go wrong with ID.

Knock and the door shall be opened unto you. Seek and ye shall find! [peace]

I love Mondays cause they're the Second day of the week!
 
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