InDesign Text Wrap and Position problems

[Melissa_D.@adobeforums.com]

After opening PageMaker 6.5 files in InDesign, I experienced two text problems with parallel columns of text that previously had lined up precisely. First, when text was wrapped around a graphic positioned upper left or right on a page, and the graphic also extended partly into the second column, the text no longer lined up. Second, when using a larger font for the first letter only of a beginning paragraph, the text of the first column was shoved down so that the top of the large letter lined up with the first line of the second column, but of course the regular size text was now out of sync. I could not find any text wrap and text positioning options to fix these two problems, but I have just upgraded to InDesign. Advice anyone?

[Bob_Levine]

The conversion is not perfect as you've discovered. You'll need to do
some tweaking after opening PM or Quark files.

Bob

[Melissa_D.@adobeforums.com]

I understand that tweaking is necessary. But how to tweak, that is the question. Shouldn't text wrapping around graphics such as I have described be symmetrical in InDesign as in Pagemaker 6.5? Isn't there a text option or command that also addresses the other problem I mentioned?

[Bob_Levine]

The text engine in ID is completely different from PM's. Right click the
text frame in question and play around with the first baseline offset
setting.

Bob

[Melissa_D.@adobeforums.com]

I tried your suggestion, and in fact using the first baseline offset will work. However, I cannot believe that a "manual" adjustment for every text position problem is the best solution. If InDesign is so good, and I want to believe that it is a substantial improvement over PageMaker 6.5, why is such a basic capability as automatically lining up the text on parallel columns missing?

[Bob_Levine]

ID is head and shoulders better than PM. It's also quite different. The
fact that you can even open PM and Quark files is a plus. The fact that
you need to make adjustments is something you'll either have to live
with or you'll have to stick to PM for your old files and start new
projects with ID.

Bob

[Melissa_D.@adobeforums.com]

InDesign is obviously NOT better than PageMaker when it comes to the two particular problems discussed above. Once the Pagemaker file has been converted, there should be a way to sync up text in parallel columns. That's just basic. This is obviously a sofware deficiency that Adobe should correct ASAP. You should know that too and not pretend that InDesign is flawless.

[Bob_Levine]

It's not flawless. But you haven't spent anywhere near enough time to
judge. Set your text to align to the baseline grid and you should have
no problems with alignment.

Bob

[Michael_S._Flynn@adobeforums.com]

This is obviously a sofware deficiency that Adobe should correct ASAP.
You should know that too and not pretend that InDesign is flawless.




This is obviously a user deficiency that the user should correct immediately. The user should know this and stop trying to pretend that they know enough about programming to be able to dictate to Adobe what can and should be done and what is or isn't a software deficiency.

Perhaps if you're that unhappy with InDesign you should just stick to PageMaker; you won't hurt yourself trying to learn something that is probably beyond you.

[Melissa_D.@adobeforums.com]

I have a friend who has used this forum before. She warned me that there were software Nazis about with the hostility you (Bob and Michael) exhibit. You should do all the decent people a favor and stay out of all future discussions.

[Bob_Levine]

Jeez, talk about paranoid. Read my responses. I gave you the info and
how to correct it. If you're too stubborn and set in your Pagemaker
ways, then stick with that.

You're obviously incapable of realizing that there's a world out there
that's moving ahead without you.

Bob

[Michael_S._Flynn@adobeforums.com]

She warned me that there were software Nazis about with the hostility
you (Bob and Michael) exhibit. You should do all the decent people a favor
and stay out of all future discussions.




There's nothing hostile about it. I've been using ID since it's release and I imagine Robert has to. I put that at about 4 years experience or so each. He very kindly explained to you that conversions aren't perfect, that opening PM files in ID is a conversion and that ID handles text differently than PM did. Your response was to blame your own lack of knowledge and/or experience on Adobe and then proceeded to tell him what he should know and accuse him of pretending that ID was flawless.

So ID doesn't act exactly the way YOU think it should. Boo hoo. But Adobe did provide you with scripting and an SDK so that if ID didn't do something you'd like it to, you stand a good chance of making it do so.

Let's see if I can guess your response: "I paid X number of dollars for Indesign and I shouldn't have to do Adobe's job for them."

[Melissa_D.@adobeforums.com]

My IT manager told me that buying Adobe software was a big mistake because of the lack of support. This confirms his judgment. Thus, our company will dispense with the remainder of our 30 day trial with InDesign and buy Quark. Thank you very much for living down to his expectations.

[Bob_Levine]

Your IT manager is an idiot. Feel free to quote me.

Bob

[Cyndee_Meystel@adobeforums.com]

If you do that, how well will Quark open your Pagemaker documents? If that
is truly your issue as you state, then Quark is certainly not the answer to
it.
--
Cyndee

[Simon Warner]

You think this is bad? Try Quark before you splash out cash to see a
real world comparison.

Ask in the Quark forums, we are all biased here.

[Steve_Werner@adobeforums.com]

Download the Quark 6.0 demo (I don't think it's available for 6.1). That will certainly make you rethink your position.

[howldog]

On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 17:50:08 -0700, Melissa_D.@adobeforums.com wrote:

>I have a friend who has used this forum before.
>She warned me that there were software Nazis about with the hostility you
>(Bob and Michael) exhibit. You should do all the decent people a favor
>and stay out of all future discussions.

BBBBZZZZTTTTT


sorry, but from what i've seen, yer the one getting yer knickers in a
twist. These other two guys seem to know what the hell they are
talking about, and you dont, and you dont like what they are telling
you, regardless of its truthful content, so, you attack them
personally.

[howldog]

On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 18:47:08 -0700, Melissa_D.@adobeforums.com wrote:

>My IT manager

BBZZZTTTTT


exactly how much commercial art-prepress-print experience does this
person have? From my direct experience, "managers" dont know much and
should leave the decision of what software to buy, in the hands of
those who will actually USE the software.

>told me that buying Adobe software was a big mistake because of the lack of support.
>This confirms his judgment. Thus, our company will dispense with the remainder of our
>30 day trial with InDesign and buy Quark. Thank you very much for living down to his expectations.

ROFL

Quark has the WORST software support in the entire publishing
industry. Its condescending and aggravating beyond belief. Basically,
any problems in Quark, the techies merely point to either you as being
a retard, or your operating system as the problem, not Quark.

Serious, knowledgable designers have been fleeing Quark and turning to
InDesign for the past couple of years, in droves. I personally turned
to InDesign several months ago. I still occassionally use Quark but
pretty much, they can kiss my ass goodbye.

Again and again, these knowledgeable designers are telling you the
truth, and you dont want to hear it, you dont like what they are
saying, so you blame them. Kill the messenger I guess.

Why dont you work in design for twenty years, get a clue, then get
back to us.

[howldog]

On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 18:47:08 -0700, Melissa_D.@adobeforums.com wrote:

>My IT manager

BBZZZTTTTT


exactly how much commercial art-prepress-print experience does this
person have? From my direct experience, "managers" dont know much and
should leave the decision of what software to buy, in the hands of
those who will actually USE the software.

>told me that buying Adobe software was a big mistake because of the lack of support.
>This confirms his judgment. Thus, our company will dispense with the remainder of our
>30 day trial with InDesign and buy Quark. Thank you very much for living down to his expectations.

ROFL

Quark has the WORST software support in the entire publishing
industry. Its condescending and aggravating beyond belief. Basically,
any problems in Quark, the techies merely point to either you as being
a retard, or your operating system as the problem, not Quark.

Serious, knowledgable designers have been fleeing Quark and turning to
InDesign for the past couple of years, in droves. I personally turned
to InDesign several months ago. I still occassionally use Quark but
pretty much, they can kiss my ass goodbye.

Again and again, these knowledgeable designers are telling you the
truth, and you dont want to hear it, you dont like what they are
saying, so you blame them. Kill the messenger I guess.

Why dont you work in design for twenty years, get a clue, then get
back to us.