InDesign versus PagePlus--your 2 cents please

[cotu]

Trying to determine whether our needs would require us to go with the more expensive application (ID $700, PP $130).

We're a small nonprofit and are going to be creating two pieces for print publication:
- a brochure (8.5 x 14)
- a booklet (8.5 x 11)
- layout will include drawings in all likelihood instead of photos, but the capability for either would be best
- need to be able to do some fancy text and graphics

 

[jmgalvin]

Doubt you'll find much help here. Most of the people here would be familiar with Indesign, Quark and Pagemaker which have always been the apps used by professional page layout people. Some of the People here might have some familiarilty with Microsoft Publisher but prabably not many.

Please realize that, if your not familiar with these typw of programs, they can be somewhat daunting.



Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[cotu]

Hmm, sounds like my original question may be hard to answer directly by participants here.

Given that I have PagePlus (BTW,

http://www.serif.com)

informants who say the app. can handle our project, would anyone be willing to venture a prediction about the ease of learning to use it compared to InDesign?

You're right that we are talking about intended users that are not page layout professionals, though we do have at least one very technical person.

I wonder if InD. might have lots more capability (and so menus and settings) which might be intimidating or at least confusing to a neophyte user.

It's hard to find people that have used or at least tried both app's.

 

[MarcusStringer]

If you already have it...then use it.

It looks alot like Publisher, and heaps of people producing similar work as you use succesfully.

If you can create a CMYK PDF from it then go for it.

And considering you are a nonprofit, you should be saving as much money as you can.

Marcus

http://www.midlandtypesetters.com.au

 

[cotu]

What is the importance of being able to create a CMYK PDF?

 

[jimoblak]

A CMYK (as opposed to RGB) PDF will reduce the likelihood of color shifting from screen to print. However, even a CMYK PDF can have some color shift if the design program does not make use of color profiles in graphics. I have not used PagePlus in a while so I could not say if it respects color profiling.

 

[Eggles]

I have read that PP can produce a PDFD/X-1a, which means it could be printed by any reasonably proficient commercial printer. I haven't used PP but I know someone who has, and he raves about it.

Since the people doing the page layout are not proficient in DTP software, I am sure they would find PP much easier to use, and you can still get professional results (althopugh this is not taking any 'design principles' into consideration!).

You can also purchase for a reasonable price the drawing and image editing stablemates to PP.

 

[Eggles]

Here's a link to a review of PagePlus.

http://designorati.com/dtp/reviews-4/2005/serif-pageplus-11-the-review/