Desktop publishing

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 513.

III. Read and translate the following text.

UNIT 8. DESKTOP PUBLISHING

X. Write a brief summary of the text (15 sentences).

I. Read the following words:

layout, distribution, desktop, publishing, applications, exploded, resolution, virtual, computerized, provide, extensive, feature, word processing, electronic typesetting, require, crucial, description, editing, layer, prevent, tedious, angle, abundance, variety, adjust, advance, guide, beyond.

II. Before you read the text try to answer these questions:

1. What is a desktop publishing?

2. What is the purpose of using desktop publishing?

3. What is the difference between desktop publishing and word processing?

Desktop publishing (DTP) is a combination of a personal computer and page layout software which is used to create documents for output and distribution. The term first appeared in the vocabulary of computer users in the late 1980s, when the first desktop publishing application MacPublisher was developed. Until recent years, desktop publishing software denoted the top of the line professional programs. Graphics designers used these programs to transform their ideas into the visual representation of a document for printing.

Desktop publishing began in 1985 with the introduction of MacPublisher, the first WYSIWYG layout program, which ran on the 128K Macintosh computer. In January, 1985, the DTP market exploded with the introduction of the Apple LaserWriter printer and later, in July, with the introduction of PageMaker software from Aldus which rapidly became the DTP industry standard software. The ability to create WYSIWYG page layouts on screen and then print pages at crisp 300 dpi resolution was revolutionary for both the typesetting and the personal computer industry. Newspapers and other printed publications have moved from older layout systems, like Atex, to DTP-based programs.

In desktop publishing there are two types of pages: electronic and virtual paper pages. All documents are represented electronically, i.e., they are limited in size only by computer memory or data storage space. While printing, virtual paper pages require that paper parameters coincide with international standard, such as «A4». Some desktop publishing programs allow to designate the format of printing used in posters and billboards. A virtual page for printing has a predefined size and can be displayed on the monitor in WYSIWYG format but a web page cannot be constrained by virtual paper parameters. Also, most electronic pages may be dynamically re-sized.

While desktop publishing software still provides features necessary for publishing, modern word processors now have capabilities that many older DTP applications had earlier, blurring the line between word processing and desktop publishing. The key difference between electronic typesetting software and DTP software is that DTP software is generally interactive and has WYSIWYG format, while much older electronic typesetting software tended to operate in batch mode.

The list and description of the most basic and essential features that any desktop publishing software has is presented below. Some of these features may prove to be more crucial than others and depend on the type of printed project you are working with.

The ability to create a variety of projects defines the flexibility of a desktop publishing application. The user can obtain this feature by supporting an abundance of paper layouts and the ability to create custom page layouts without restrictions.

The term «layout tools» involves a range of tools (rulers, adjustable and automatic guides, multiple editing layers, object snapping and object grouping) to manipulate the objects accurately. The guides and snapping options offer a point of reference while placing images and text in the document. Multiple editing layers keep the workspace uncluttered that helps to prevent from selecting and moving the unnecessary object. Object grouping helps to organize the objects into multiple groups.

Desktop publishing software can offer a wide range of text editing tools beyond standard operations on the text. Adjusting the header properties and other portions of the text can be quite tedious, that is why applications with styles sheets make that process much quicker. One can think of style sheets as customizable text templates that can be applied to any portion of the text by selecting them and choosing the corresponding style sheet.

Applications allow you to do more than just manipulate images (resize or compress). They give you a set of built-in image effects and filters as well as other functions related to design, for example, adding shadows, controlling the transparency but professional applications may offer advanced drawing tools.

Desktop publishing has a long history since its introduction in the 1980s. The future will bring changes in both the process and result. For the moment, desktop publishing is a really great solution for small and big businesses. It is as simple as identifying needs and areas where desktop publishing can provide a solution and find the appropriate software to help you.

IV. Answer the following questions:

1. What was the first layout program?

2. What company produced PageMaker?

3. What are the types of pages in desktop publishing?

4. What is the key difference between electronic typesetting software and DTP software?

5. What are the basic and essential features of publishing software?

6. What graphics tools in DTP software do you know?

7. In what areas of our life can desktop publishing be used?