Getting started in QuarkXpress. 2

[HarlequinHoodlum]

I know all to well that I'm going to need some education in the program before I can get anything accomplished, so I requested a day course in QuarkXpress II (I wanted to save time and money by not completeing the first course, as it would be all familiarization with the tools and such)So here I am trying to get caught up before its time for my class (which is about a week and a half from today).

Are there any good projects for beginners? Should I find templates for download?
Are there any good tutorials?
I am very eager to learn this program. Any assistance would be much appreciated.

Thank you so much.

 

[jimoblak]

Quark.com offers training files and accompanying lessons in PDF on their web site. Look in the training section. You might also find the training at lynda.com more of a value than a day course.

 

[HarlequinHoodlum]

Now I have a new problem, Im trying to change the format of my new page from the text portrait format to something for a full landscape.

 

[apepp]

...in quark 6 layout changes are made under layout > layout properties, top menu...

Andrew

 

[HarlequinHoodlum]

New question!
Transperant boxes are frames...I know you can make them in Qyark...but how?

 

[HarlequinHoodlum]

I can make this in photoshop...so what's with Quark?

 

[apepp]

...Quark 7 is needed for transparency. Quark 7 is their reply to the current Indesign buzz the industry is having. Quark 6 doesn't support native transaparency, these effects need to be created in external applications and flattened to eps, tif, jpeg or 1.3 Acrobat 4 PDF. It is better to import PDF's to Indesign wherever possible, Indesign has far better export functions and a solid program to use with regards to features. Quark 7 is what you'll need if you wish to achieve native transparent effects within Quark...

Andrew

 

[HarlequinHoodlum]

I went ahead and just started over with my image in adobe and transferred to quark...sounds like it's time for an upgrade.

Here's a new one!

Resizing in quark 6.5...how is it done!?!

I'm baffled.

 

[apepp]

...quark requires extensions to resize groups of objects, can be found here:

http://www.thepowerxchange.com/reporter_1387_prd1.html

...the manual way is to have your objects grouped and then use the item tool, hold down apple (or control on the PC) + alt/option + shift to scale in proportion...

...bear in mind this will effect graphic resolution, scaling down is normally ok (note: quark can't scale an image lower than 10% of it's original size). Scaling down will increase image resolution, scaling up will decrease resolution of images. Best not to scale images up higher than 125% to 130% wherever possible as quality will decrease...

Andrew

 

[HarlequinHoodlum]

How do I group the items...I know I can lock items...I can select all the items...but how do I group?

 

[apepp]

...apple/control G key, ungroup is apple/control U key...

...both under the item menu...

Andrew

 

[HarlequinHoodlum]

My goodness you're all so helpful! :O)
And I'm nearly to my finished product!
Now I'm changing my file to a PDF...but for some reason when it opens in Acrobat, it's flipped...is there a way to correct this???

 

[HarlequinHoodlum]

On that note, if I flip the image in acrobat, its says it cannot be saved because I'm not using 7.0...and that it would only save a new copy of the original document...

 

[HarlequinHoodlum]

You'll never guess what guys...I actually figured that one out on my own!

 

[HarlequinHoodlum]

Which file formats specifically are supported by QuarkXpress 6.5?

 

[apepp]

eps, tif, jpg, pdf 1.3, bmp, eps dcs 2.0, psd can also be imported but you need the extension loaded, found here:

http://www.quark.com/products/xpress/xtensions/psd_import.html

Andrew

 

[jimoblak]

It is best to start each question in its own topic on this forum.

It is also best to start with reading a manual and letting the forum handle your questions about the manual. There is little point in us rewriting the manual for you here. Your question does not specify if you are looking for file formats created by QuarkXPress or read/imported by QuarkXPress.

Quark offers its manual as a PDF file. Check the installation CD (or it may have been installed with the program). File types and their particular uses are described in the manual.

 

[apepp]

..if exporting from quark you can save as eps or export to pdf 1.3...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...to add if exporting to pdf from quark you are better off printing to the adobe pdf printer if installed or print to postscript and distill it in acrobat distiller, quark export to pdf isn't always that great to do and best avoided if possible...

..quark 7 has improved pdf exporting options...

...indesign cs and cs 2 however is even better, with support for dcs graphics in composite output...

...dcs images in quark means separated output, not an issue though if your print provider can support separated postscript and pdf's then combining them in a composite rip, such as agfa apogee x workflow...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

..forgot to mention, with quark 7 you can import a multiple channel psd file and print to composite using device n in your output setup...

Andrew