INPUT: a few dollars for new software + a little time to learn to use it
OUTPUT: time saved; errors minimized; consistent and dynamic-looking pages
Tremendous advantage can be gained through effective application of digital techniques and technologies, advises Irving S. Berman, digital production and workflow specialist for 21st Century Publishing and Communications (21C).
Of course it helps to know the tools to use.
So Berman compiled this list of concisely described software automation tools to share with BookTech readers. As extensive as it is, it is still by no means a definitive list, he says, and he invites readers to help him add to it by e-mailing him at ISBerman@aol.com.
21C, a division of Tiger Dragon International Corp., is a design, composition, prepress and print production services and packaging company dedicated to using the most advanced automation software, tools and techniques in publishing for its clients.
Artville Images / Artville
Utility: Original artwork, color corrected and royalty free.
Autopage / KyTek
QuarkXTension: Autopage is an extremely intelligent, award-winning XTension and automated page layout system that generates industry standard QuarkXPress pages automatically. Users report that the time required to produce high-volumes of complex pages is reduced by up to 75 percent, when comparing pages produced in QuarkXPress with Autopage versus without Autopage.
AutoPrice / Meadows Information Systems
QuarkXTension: Provides linking of QuarkXPress documents to external databases and supports text, pictures and versioning.
BatchProcessing / Meadows Information Systems
QuarkXTension: Utilities for processing multiple documents, supporting printing, collecting for output, updating pictures and search and replace.
BeyondPress 4.0 / Extensis
QuarkXTension: This QuarkXPress to HTML conversion and Web authoring software allows users to create Web pages without programming in HTML. Features DHTML (Dynamic HTML) positioning, which allows users to retain the look, feel and accurate layout of their original document.
David's Place XT / Jintek