An Introduction to Adobe PageMaker - Study Notes
Chapter Summary
This chapter introduces Desktop Publishing (DTP) concepts using Adobe PageMaker, a premier page layout program. Students learn how to initiate document templates, navigate the user interface, utilize toolboxes, manage text block threading, manipulate graphical placeholders, and design multi-page publications using structured master pages.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the core purpose of Desktop Publishing and list major software alternatives.
- Open, construct, save, close, and configure document pages using Adobe PageMaker.
- Utilize the PageMaker toolbox and apply appropriate keyboard shortcuts for high-efficiency design.
- Create, resize, split, and thread text blocks to manage multi-page content flows smoothly.
- Insert external text documents and bind content inside graphical frames.
- Design consistent repeating headers, footers, and page numbers using Master Pages.
Key Concepts and Definitions
Desktop Publishing (DTP)
The creation of formal page layouts for documents such as brochures, newspapers, books, and flyers using specialized desktop publishing application software.
Pasteboard
The scratchpad area outside the active page margin border used to hold graphics or text elements temporarily before placing them into the layout.
Text Block
The basic container in PageMaker that stores typed, imported, or pasted text. Text block boundaries remain hidden until selected with the Pointer tool.
Threading
The process of connecting multiple text blocks so that overflowing text continues to flow dynamically from one block into subsequent blocks.
Master Pages
Non-printing templates containing background elements, guides, and numbering that recur uniformly on every printable page of the publication.
Worked Methods
How to Thread an Overflowing Text Block
Select the text block with the Pointer tool. Click on the bottom windowshade handle showing a red triangle, which converts the cursor into a loaded text icon. Position this icon over an empty page area or graphical frame and click to release and flow the subsequent portion of the story.
How to Configure a Customized Star Shape
Click the Polygon tool from the toolbox and draw the shape. Choose the Element menu and select Polygon Settings. Specify the number of sides (e.g., 5 for a standard star or 15 for a complex star) and input the desired Star Inset percentage (e.g., 50%) to bend the polygon lines inward.
How to Set Up Automatic Page Numbering
Click on the Master Pages icon in the bottom left corner. Select the Text tool, click on the desired location on either the left or right master page layout, and press the shortcut combination Ctrl + Alt + P. PageMaker will generate page symbols ('LM' and 'RM') that render as standard numeric pages on standard document pages.
Common Exam Traps
- Confusing the Text Tool with Text Blocks: Students often mistake the tool used to edit text with the container that holds it. Always select the Text tool to type, but select the Pointer tool to resize or move a text block container.
- Pressing Enter at line breaks: PageMaker automatically wraps text inside columns. Only use the Enter key to signify the conclusion of an entire paragraph.
- Direct Master Item selection error: Attempting to edit master page objects on normal document pages directly will fail because master page elements are locked. They must be edited from the master pages or hidden by unchecking View Display Master Items.
Exam Tips
- Memorize tool shortcut keys such as F9 for the Pointer tool, Shift + Alt + F1 for the Text tool, and F3/F4 for lines and rectangles.
- Understand that when a bottom windowshade shows a red triangle, more text remains hidden inside the container. Dragging the handle downward reveals the hidden text.
- Auto-leading defaults to 120 percent of the selected font size, which is critical for line spacing calculations in formatting questions.