i am looking for a user friendly program to layout my company's quarterly publication; i want something VERY user friendly. and, for the record, (ha! ha!) I am a Windows user, not a big Mac fan....all insight will be appreciated!
2007-03-22 03:27:28 · 4 answers · asked by ptsmama 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Dont listen to Jenn C.
To layout a 48 page magazine in Illustrator is more trouble than its worth, and would take twice as long.
Illustrator is a design program, NOT a page layout program.
The same goes for photoshop, its NOT a page layout program, its for editing photos.
Either Quark or InDesign is the way to go.
They both have their pros and cons.
They are both available for windows as well.
If you are just starting out, go with the Adobe Creative Suite package. You will get InDesign (for the page layout), Illustrator, and Photoshop both (for working with images).
Also, get good high quality fonts, DO NOT use the 10,000 fonts package for $5 from Wal-Mart (or wherever), as they suck.
Work in PMS colors, not RGB (Red, Green, Blue).
Or if the magazine is going to be in 4 color process work in C,M,Y,K.
When you say its going to print in 16 colors, Im not sure what you mean, as that would be VERY expensive, and cost prohibitive.
If you need any more ideas, or tips, feel free to email me.
2007-03-22 04:27:49 · answer #1 · answered by Toe Motor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jenn C. is insane to suggest Illustrator. Toe Motor is on top of the money here. Quark or InDesign is the way to go. There are major differences between the two lay-out programs. I have to warn you that unless you have some desktop publishing experience, neither will seem user-friendly. However, if you are familiar w/ Adobe Illustrator, or Photoshop, I would advise using InDesign, the workspace will feel similar, menus, commands, toolbar, palettes, etc. Also, InDesign has some decent templates that could provide a starting point. Bottom line is only you know what "VERY user-friendly" really requires. Check out the sources I listed below.
Toe also is correct to call out your amount of colors. In printing terms, 4 color process (CMYK) uses 4 inks... cyan, magenta, yellow, and black to create a wide gamut of colors, red is actually yellow and magenta, same principle as an ink-jet printer.
However, a 16 color job means 16 colors of ink, for example, 4 color process CMYK plus 12 spot colors, here the red could be a PMS color, and the printer would use an red ink instead of percentages of yellow and magenta. If you are Coca-Cola, you want that perfect red. My advice stick to 4 color process, use spots for "must exactly match" company logo colors or speciality inks such as metallic or varnishes.
2007-03-24 00:35:53 · answer #2 · answered by outtadaloop 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Adobe Illustrator... I am going to school for graphic design and thats all we use, its the best program for designing things like that. It is not that hard to use either, you can learn it in a few days. They have it for windows, which is the same program for Mac so you are not missing out on anything. I think it is user friendly, don't use Quark, it sucks, i hated every minute of using it.
you can download a trial or abode to see if you like it.
2007-03-22 10:36:40 · answer #3 · answered by Jenn C 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Quark express is more user friendly, Adobe better
2007-03-22 10:30:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋