An Introduction to Adobe PageMaker: One Mark Questions, Book Back Answers and Notes

About An Introduction to Adobe PageMaker

Medium ~120 min study

Before computers, laying out a newspaper or a magazine page meant cutting and pasting printed strips of text and pictures by hand. Desktop publishing (DTP) software lets one person do the same job on a computer screen and print the result. Adobe PageMaker is the DTP program used in the textbook.

The chapter begins with the PageMaker window: the menu bar, the toolbox, the rulers, the document page and the pasteboard around it. It then shows how text is held in text blocks or text frames, and how these are threaded so that one story runs from one column or page to the next. After that come drawing tools, character formatting and master pages, which hold items that repeat on every page such as page numbers.

Exam questions often ask for a keyboard shortcut, the menu that holds a command, or the steps for a task such as inserting page numbers or drawing a star. Practise these steps on the computer if you can. Remembering that Ctrl+Alt+P inserts the page number marker is much easier after you have done it once yourself.

What you'll learn

• Explain how desktop publishing differs from word processing.
• Identify the parts of the PageMaker window, including the rulers, pasteboard, menu bar and toolbox.
• Create, move, resize, split and join text blocks.
• Thread text blocks so a story flows across columns and pages.
• Draw a star by changing the number of sides and the star inset of a polygon.
• Add automatic page numbers using master pages.

Before you start

• Using a mouse and keyboard to work with windows and menus.
• Typing and editing text in a word processor.
• A basic idea of image files and how pictures are inserted into documents.

An Introduction to Adobe PageMaker explained

Adobe PageMaker: Workspace, Text, Drawing and Master Pages

What desktop publishing is

Desktop publishing is the use of a computer to design pages for newspapers, newsletters, magazines, books, visiting cards and posters. In a word processor, text simply flows from the top of the page to the bottom. In PageMaker, each piece of text and each picture is a separate object that you can move, resize and place anywhere on the page. That freedom is what makes page layout possible.

The PageMaker window

The white area with a border is the document page, and only what is on it gets printed. The area around the page is the pasteboard. You can keep text blocks and pictures there while you work, but anything left on the pasteboard does not print. Horizontal and vertical rulers help you position objects exactly. The toolbox holds the tools for selecting, typing, drawing and zooming. The mouse pointer changes shape with the tool: the text tool gives an I-beam and the zoom tool gives a magnifying glass. If the toolbox disappears, choose Window > Show Tools.

Text blocks, text frames and threading

Text in PageMaker sits inside a text block or a text frame. A text block is created with the text tool and grows as you type or place text. A text frame is drawn first with a frame tool (rectangle, ellipse or polygon frame) and then text is put into it, so it works as a placeholder with a fixed shape. A text block has a handle, called a windowshade, at the top and bottom. A red triangle in the bottom windowshade means more text remains to be placed. Clicking it loads the text icon, and clicking in another place continues the story there. Joining blocks this way is called threading. When blocks are threaded, resizing one makes the text flow into the next.

Drawing and formatting

The drawing tools draw lines, constrained lines (straight horizontal, vertical or 45 degree lines), rectangles, ellipses and polygons. To make a star, draw a polygon, then choose Element > Polygon Settings, set the number of sides to 5 and the star inset to 50%. A higher star inset pulls the points further inward. Character formatting changes the font, size, colour and leading (the vertical space between lines). You can do this through Type > Character or with the Control Palette.

Master pages, navigation and printing

Master pages hold items that should appear on every page, such as headers, footers, a logo, margin guides and page numbers. Anything placed on a master page shows up on all pages that use it. On an ordinary page you cannot select these master items, so they cannot be moved by mistake. To edit them, go back to the master page. You can move between pages with the page icons at the bottom left of the window, the Layout menu's Go to Page command, keyboard shortcuts or the scroll bars. When printing, the Print dialog lets you choose the page range, the number of copies and whether to collate them.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Pressing Enter at the end of every line while typing. PageMaker wraps lines on its own, so press Enter only to start a new paragraph.
• Leaving an item on the pasteboard and expecting it to print. Only objects on the document page are printed.
• Not knowing how to get the toolbox back after closing it. Choose Window > Show Tools.
• Trying to select a header or page number on an ordinary page. Master items can be selected and edited only on the master page.

Test yourself on these with the practice test, then check the worked reasoning in the solved MCQs.

Frequently asked questions

What is the pasteboard in PageMaker?

The pasteboard is the area surrounding the document page. It works like the top of a desk: you can put text blocks and graphics there while you decide where they go. Anything left on the pasteboard will not appear when you print.

How do I put page numbers on every page?

Click the master page icon at the bottom left of the window. Choose the text tool, click on the left master page where you want the number and press Ctrl+Alt+P. The marker LM appears. Do the same on the right master page to get RM. The actual page numbers then appear on each page of the document.

What is the difference between a text block and a text frame?

A text block is made with the text tool and its size changes as you type or place text. A text frame is drawn first with a rectangle, ellipse or polygon frame tool, and text is then placed inside it. Frames are useful when you want to plan the shape and position of text before the text is ready.

Why is there a red triangle at the bottom of my text block?

A red triangle in the bottom windowshade handle means there is more text than the block is showing. Drag the handle down with the pointer tool to show more, or click the triangle to load the text icon and then click elsewhere to continue the story in another block.

How do I thread two text blocks together?

Select the first block with the pointer tool and click the red triangle in its bottom windowshade. The pointer becomes a loaded text icon. Click in an empty column or drag to draw a new block. The remaining text flows into it, and the two blocks are now threaded.

How do I draw a star in PageMaker?

Select the polygon tool and drag to draw a polygon. With the shape still selected, choose Element > Polygon Settings. Set the number of sides to 5 and the star inset to 50%, then click OK. The sides bend inward and the polygon becomes a five-pointed star.