Opening Pagemaker files in InDesign

[Sarah_Marshall@adobeforums.com]

We have a SUBSTANTIAL archive of files which we must refer to at a moments notice. The bulk of them are built in Pagemaker 7 and some are in 6.5. Is there a relatively seamless way in which we can open these files in InDesign without everything going berserk? The manuals "say" that it can be done, but you all know how that is!

[Bob_Levine]

The is no such thing as a perfect conversion. The larger the doc, the
more issues you'll have.

The biggest issues, IME, are with text wraps and text flow.

Bob

[mikewitherell_at_jetsetcom_dot_net]

InDesign will open these files readily. Everything will convert perfectly except for text reflowing as InDesign does a better job of the typesetting. Before opening the PM file in INDD, make sure the file opens well in PMer. All links present; all fonts on system; do a save-smaller save-as; maybe do a diagnostic recompose and then a save-as. These steps ensure the best probability of seamless conversion into InDesign.

What troubles are you having?

Mike Witherell in Washington DC

[mikewitherell_at_jetsetcom_dot_net]

Time stamps are the same, Bob! :-) Mike

[Sarah_Marshall@adobeforums.com]

We haven't really tried. I was just trying to avoid problems before they start. This suggestions are good. I also got a suggestion from someone to create a PDF or EPS out of Pagemaker and then open that in InDesign. I hate to do that though because your images lose quality the more you export them. But, we will do what we have to do. I still think that they should continue to add versions of Pagemaker to improve it. But, I am willing to try something new.

[mikewitherell_at_jetsetcom_dot_net]

Beware! Making PDFs will preserve high-res just fine, but you cannot open them in InDesign; you can only PLACE them on the pages of InDesign. That means you can't edit them anymore within InDesign. Better to open the PM file and convert it. That way you have full editability. As for EPS, it is becoming an old dog on the front porch. It can't get up and run like newer file types can. I would readily prefer PDF for its superior ability to trap, and color manage, and transparency tricks too.

Send me your considerable PM legacy files. I would be glad to convert them for you to InDesign files.

Mike Witherell in Washington DC

[Bob_Levine]

You got some seriously lousy advice.

You can't open a PDF or EPS in InDesign. You can only place them as
graphics.

But there is no degradation of images when you create a PDF or EPS
PROPERLY. So if you don't need to edit the page, you could go the PDF route.

Bob

[Bob_Levine]

We have to stop meeting like this, Mike. <g>

Bob

[mikewitherell_at_jetsetcom_dot_net]

Agreed, Bob. Nevermore, OK? (Right-hand raised in oath; fingers crossed)

[Michael_Griswold@adobeforums.com]

Diagnostic recompose? Haven't heard of that one yet. Where do I look, Mike?

Cheers,

Michael

[Bob_Levine]

Check under help. Search for power shortcuts.

Bob

[Pedro_Queiroz@adobeforums.com]

When trying to open Page maker files in Indesign 2.0 all we get is this message:

"Tracking values were modified. Please check text composition in converted document.
One or more faces are missing for the font HelveticaNeue LightCond
No fill patterns are supported at this time."

Can anybody give some tips on how to solve this issue?

Thanks for any help.

[Jim_Oblak@adobeforums.com]

This message means that you need to check your tracking values and possibly adjust them in your paragraph/character styles palettes or locally with the character/paragraph palettes.

You can replace/redefine fonts under the 'Type>Find Font' menu.

[Bob_Levine]

There's nothing to solve. It's information.

Bob