data merge and image resizing 2

[bblev]

When using data merge, how does one merge images of various sizes and keep their original dimensions? I’m using data merge (ver. 7.0) for a catalog with 300+ records with text and image fields. The images in the source database are various sizes (dimensions). I want the images to be merged maintaining their original size. However, the images are merged and resampled to the exact size of the image-field placeholder that I insert in the target publication. I’ve tried inserting the image-field placeholder within a frame and selecting size frame to fit contents, but it doesn’t work. The 3 sizing options for the frame (clip contents to fit frame, size frame to fit contents, size contents to fit frame) seem to be disabled when an image-field placeholder is present. It’s possible to resize a single merged image to original proportions by holding shift+control and dragging an image handle. Is there an automatic way to do this, rather than individually resizing 300+ images?

Thanks,
Beth Blevins

 

[BionicJohn]

Hi, bblev,

I'm not sufficiently up to speed with Data Merge. I can only suggest you experiment. Sorry.

Iechyd da! John
23:34 26/08/2003 BST

 

[bblev]

Thanks for your reply, BigJohnD! I figured it out about an hour ago by doing just that--experimenting (hours-worth, in fact). Since it doesn't appear to be ANYWHERE in the PageMaker documentation, I'll put the solution on record here for anyone who's interested. To maintain the original size of an image (or keep the 3 frame/image-sizing options functional), draw a frame, then select/highlight the frame border. Insert the image field and select "yes" in the pop-up dialog box to insert the image in a floating frame. Don't insert the image field inline or with the text cursor active within a frame. If you do so, the image is automatically resized/resampled to the exact size of the image field placeholder. Details, details...

 

[Eggles]

bblev

Thank you for coming back and sharing the solution with us. That is now printed and tucked away into my folder of useful tips the PM manual doesn't tell you.

 

[BionicJohn]

Hi, bblev,

Let me add to Lyn's thanks. You're a star!

Iechyd da! John
15:23 27/08/03 BST

 

[ISM1]

Hi BBlev,
I am having the problem with the font sizes changing after merging data.
Any ideas?
ISM

 

[Eggles]

Do you have a style applied to the data fields so that when the data comes in, it already has a style? Perhaps if there is no style attached, it is reverting to whatever is the [no style] option in your document.

 

[bblev]

ISM,

I've been trying to reply for several days, but kept getting an error page not found message from the site.

Eggles is right. You must apply styles to the data fields in your target publication text box(es) before merging data. Your target publication must be set up completely with styles, spacing, etc. before you merge. You can preview the results before merging by selecting the preview option at the bottom of the data merge palette.
Does that help?
BBlev