Backgrounds and other questions...

[grendel2000]

Yet another newbie here folks!

I've been tasked by my boss with producing a 30 page magazine-style program for an event associated with my company. I'm using PM version 7, which I am not familiar with. My job has nothing to do with publishing but I'm a computer/photo geek so I got volunteered. Ordinarilly, I would buy a book on PM and learn it, unfortunately, in this case the project got dumped on me on Monday and it's due (in rough form) on Friday (tomorrow). I have most of the materials (text for articles, various pictures, etc.) but I need help on a few points:

1. I would like to add a watermark type backgound that is consistent across all pages. Is there an easy way to add texture and color to the background of all pages? All i need is something to spice it up a little. I can produce an appropriate size watermark in Photoshop with no problem, but it's going to be a very large file at 300dpi which leads to my next question...

2. Does PM resize pictures automatically? I guess what I mean is that I have scanned all the relevant pictures at very large sizes compared to how most will be used (8x10 300dpi scan, but most likely will be used at 4-6 inch size). I figured I'd rather have too much resolution than too little. Will PM "scale down" the picture appropriately depending on the size I set it at on the page or would it be better to resize the image in photoshop in order to save space? It just seems like a lot of effort since I don't know exactly what size I'll use each one at until the layout is done.

Also, is there a way to "lock" the aspect ratio for a picture when placing it? Dragging the box seems arbitrary and I have no way of knowing if I have distorted the dimensions of the picture. In Photoshop you simly hold down the shift key while resizing and it locks the aspect ratio.

3. Page numbering - I would like to add page numbers and need some advice. Since this will be published as a magazine, the first page will be the cover. When I have set PM up to use page numbers, that automatically puts a page number on the cover (which I don't want) and the first "real" page starts at #2. I have tried resetting it to start at page #0 so that the cover is #0 and the first inside page is #1, but it says #0 is not a viable option. Should I make a separate document for the front and rear covers?

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,
Scott

 

[BionicJohn]

Hi, grendel2000,

> Is there an easy way to add texture and color to the background of all pages?

Yes, put it on a master page, "L" or "R"

> Does PM resize pictures automatically?

No. Hold the Shift Key down to resize proportionally.

> Page numbering -

Again, master pages, using the text tool, click Ctrl+Shift+3

Page 0 is not an option. The usual practice to create the cover in a second PM file, and concatenate the fles at print time using the "book" utility"

Iechyd da! John
20:44 17/07/2003 BST

 

[Eggles]

>'It just seems like a lot of effort since I don't know exactly what size I'll use each one at until the layout is done'<

Although it's a bit of a nuisance, it is better to bring the images into PM at 100% of their size (at 300dpi if being commercially printed). Work out the size you need in PM (check the measurements in the the contol palette) and go back to PS to do your resizing.

And make sure you use File>Place to bring the images in to PM (don't copy/paste) and don't embed images - link to them and it will keep the file size down and thus ease the processes of opening, navigating and saving. The graphics and all fonts you have used will need to be sent to the printer along with the PM file. Use the 'Save for Service Provider' (under Utilities>Plug Ins) to package these up neatly into one folder.

An alternative for adding page numbering to the MP is Ctrl/Alt/P.