Functional difference between the PC and Mac Indesign?

[Jimbo2112]

Hi All,

I am working on an implementation of Indesign on the PC for around 4 users.

- Does anyone know if there any functional differences between the Mac and PC versions?

- Is it just the shortcuts that are different?

- Is it just a culture thing that makes people not want to use the PC version?

- Does anyone ever have to source Indesign users and have they all preferred the Mac option?

- Is Indesign quicker to use on the Mac than PC?

Many thanks for any feedback

Jimbo

 

[Ekwoman]

The Mac and PC versions of InDesign are virtually identical (except for the look of course). The keyboard shortcuts are only different as far as the modifier keys (Option on the Mac is Alt on the PC, etc.). Since all your shortcuts are customizable, that's not really even much of an issue.

As far as which version is quicker, that will totally depend on the type of PC and Mac you're working on.

I think most people are of the Mac OR PC camps (many have to work on both, but probably prefer one over the other). I definitely have my opinions which is for a different forum, but here's one thing to keep in mind: which are you used to and more proficient on? InDesign has some great tools to speed your workflow, but if you're working on a platform you're not comfortable with, they won't be of much help.

Hope that helps some.

 

[Jimbo2112]

Ekwoman,

Thanks for the prompt response. It as much as I had suspected.

We will be using Indesign in a semi automated fashion for putting typeset pages together with some custom plug-ins that have already been developed. These only work on the PC so that is why we need to go down thihs route. Your message has put my mind to rest and I can take it to my doubters!

Cheers

Jimbo

 

[jimoblak]

If your workflow involves accepting INDD files from others, Mac is ideal because it can read any font format. Conversely, Windows computers cannot natively handle all Mac fonts.

 

[Ekwoman]

Mac is ideal because it can read any font format.

Macs can't read Windows Type 1 fonts without being converted to Mac format. OS X can read Mac TrueType fonts. OpenType fonts are a cross-platform format.

Don't forget that, technically and legally, you must own the same fonts on your end and can't share fonts with your clients, anyway. The best bet is to set some sort of "font shortlist" you'd like the clients (or contributors) to use. OpenType is going to be your best bet to cut down on reflow issues...but TrueType is much more prevalent. Many of the issues that used to be problematic when using TrueType fonts have fallen by the wayside.

If you're a service provider or printshop and looking at being able to take in all sorts of jobs with all sorts of configurations, you'll probably need to invest in purchasing a lot of fonts...like Adobe's OpenType library. Even having something like a MacMini on hand to work around some of the cross-platform issues might not be a bad idea.

Okay...this was way long...hope it helps, though.

 

[jimoblak]

OS X can read Mac TrueType fonts.

OSX can also natively read Windows TrueType fonts, a common font format appearing on a Windows machine.

For clarification, Mac and Windows can read any font format (sometimes with the aid of conversion software) but there are significantly less hurdles for a Mac user.

Of course font conversion and copying is most often illegal but I only mention it in regard to the functional difference of InDesign on the two platforms.

 

[Ekwoman]

My mistake...I meant to say OS X can read PC TrueType fonts...I wonder how many people were scratching their head thinking, "Well, why WOULDN'T Macs be able to read Mac Fonts?" Sorry for the confustion.

Thanks!