QuarkXPress is evolving into a smart team player
Layout highlights in QuarkXPress 7 include new features for collaborating on a document and preparing it for publication.
Layout highlights in QuarkXPress 7 include new options for collaborating on a document and preparing it for output. As before, QuarkXPress 7 offers two ways to work with the software. You use it just as you did with XPress 3 or later versions: format text, lay out pages, output—done. For a small fee, any XPress version can be upgraded to version 7.0. But by doing so, you’ll miss out not only on the new features presented in Issue 23 but also on two or three additional highlights that aren’t immediately obvious to the user: first, Composition Zones (plus the reuse of objects), and second, Job Jackets. Teamwork on a document …The so-called Composition Zones allow multiple people to work on a project (an XPress project combines multiple layouts that logically belong to a single job or client) without having to invest in additional software. To do this, page sections of a layout are selected and generated using the «Create Composition Zones» command. The Composition Zones can now be used internally within the layout or project, but can also be exported via the «Reusable Content» palette. A Composition Zone is an XPress file that matches the size of the page section; it can then be finalized or edited within the XPress project or by another member of the production team. The page section remains linked to the original project until the link is broken in the main document.
The linked Composition Zones are therefore also suitable for involving freelancers, for example, in the production or completion of page sections. As soon as the Composition Zone is returned or overwritten, the main document displays the updated Composition Zone. Combined with Quark’s new licensing policy (see box), this makes it very easy to involve external collaborators in projects.
External Composition Zones can also be integrated into other projects. For example, the Composition Zone for a CD cover can be used in a catalog where the same cover is to be displayed again. Making a central change to this CD cover then ensures a dynamic update in all projects linked to this Composition Zone.
… Synchronization within the document: The «Synchronized Text» feature available in XPress 6.x has been significantly expanded in the new version and is another practical feature of the new program version. This means that within a project, in addition to plain text, modifications to both the frame and its content can now be placed elsewhere in the layout or project using the palette now called «Reusable Content.» The same applies to imported images or graphics. Changes made to an element and/or its content—which were dragged from the palette onto the layout—are automatically applied to all other elements.
A Straightjacket for Individualists: What the subheading suggests has nothing to do with the curtailment of creative freedom in the DTP workplace. Rather, Quark aims to use a new technology—called Job Jackets—to ensure that all requirements, from the time of creation through to the final version, are met. The approach is straightforward: You provide the person creating the document with a pre-generated Job Jacket and have the page or document produced within those settings, then check it for any errors or deviations from the rules defined therein.
However, the task of creating a Job Jacket is anything but simple. Job Jackets—XML (eXtended Markup Language) files based on the Job Definition Format (JDF) that contain the rules for creating layouts—are attached to XPress 7 projects. They cannot be turned off or their function disabled (though you wouldn’t notice this if you aren’t working with them). The basis for the embedded Job Jacket is a standard file stored as the «Default Job Jacket» in the operating system’s Preferences folder.
The Job Jacket contains resources at the project level (style templates, colors, output styles, color management) and the layout level (layout specifications such as size, etc., rules/rule groups, and job descriptions). These are defined in one or more job tickets. There are three types of job tickets: the job ticket template, the active job ticket, and the job ticket that is currently not linked to the project. In addition to being embedded in the project, the entire Job Jacket structure can also be exported. Exporting it as an XML file ultimately allows it to be shared.
Depending on the job ticket, the «corset» for the desktop publisher or layout artist can be adjusted to be as loose or as tight as needed. This helps prevent many of the usual and well-known problems from occurring in the first place during output. For example, it’s possible to prevent the use of “hairline” weights or the application of bold or italic formatting via symbols. In addition, page formats, corporate colors, and color spaces can be defined—or you can prevent a fifth plate from being produced in a four-color process because an element was accidentally assigned a spot color.
As is well known, the list of potential errors that can occur during the creation of layout documents (this also applies to InDesign) is virtually endless. Job Jackets also prove to be particularly useful on large projects where you want to ensure that not every internal or external team member produces completely different documents, and where the project as a whole can be managed more effectively. This is because a Job Jacket can essentially be linked to any number of projects as a server-based project preference.
An even more practical feature that complements this concept is «Evaluation.» This feature allows documents to be assessed and reviewed retrospectively based on parameters defined in job tickets. Thanks to Job Jackets technology, errors in a document can now be eliminated step by step, and the document can be prepared for output.
Rules play an important role in this evaluation process. For example, they determine whether overprinting of black text is allowed. Presumably to achieve the greatest possible flexibility here, individual rules can be grouped together into rule sets. The rule groups themselves—like all the settings described so far—are configured using the Job Jacket Manager integrated into QuarkXPress.
These parameters should be set by employees who are able to assess the impact of the settings and configure them properly. However, any XPress 7 user can then check for themselves whether a document complies with the rules specified in the job ticket by selecting the «Evaluate Layout» menu item. A dialog box then clearly shows which rules have been followed and where exactly rules have been violated. The rule violations can then be addressed one by one. If desired, XPress 7 can be configured in the default settings so that the evaluation is performed automatically either when opening, saving, or closing a document—ensuring that nothing goes wrong.
Last but not least, it’s worth mentioning that Job Jackets can also be used to generate PDF/X-compliant documents for output. This can be done either via (PostScript) export followed by distillation (the term «Layout as PDF» is still misleading in XPress 7 because PostScript can be output in addition to PDF) using, for example, Acrobat Distiller—or directly from within XPress using the integrated PDF engine (Jaws Libraries) developed by Global Graphics.
Conclusion, Part 2: The Composition Zones and the expanded ability to synchronize objects are likely to be quickly adopted by users. The benefits are obvious, and the features are easy to use.
Job Jacket technology is the standout feature of XPress 7—simply because it results in higher-quality documents that are also more reliable in production. Quark has recognized the growing importance of the XML and JDF standards and has consistently integrated them into the new release. As a further step, Quark also plans to make Job Jackets available. A first strategic partnership has already been established in the United States with SRDS (www.srds.com). SRDS plans to offer ad specifications and resources as downloadable Job Jacket files.
However, it is still very difficult to assess whether agencies and/or the graphic design industry will recognize the potential of Job Jackets—a potential that even the author of this article had not yet fully grasped during the software testing phase.
As far as competition with other providers is concerned, Quark can sit back and relax for a while—at least from a technological standpoint. But not when it comes to market development: When asked whether Quark had noticed that a large number of agencies and print shops in Switzerland had switched to InDesign, Jürgen Kurz, head of the Desktop Products division, replied during the Quark Launch Tour at the end of May: «Yes, that hasn’t escaped our notice. Fortunately, Switzerland is an exception in this regard. Adobe is doing a very good job here. But we’re confident that we can regain ground here.»
XPress 7 Licenses: Purchasing QuarkXPress
Entitles the licensee to activate a single license; in addition, the licensee may perform a second installation and activation on their mobile device or at their home office. There are also multi-user licenses, which are governed by a license agreement. Using Quark License Administrator (a server within a company), licenses can be deactivated on one computer and reactivated on another. Licenses can thus also be assigned for a limited period of time.
Jürgen Franck
The linked Composition Zones are therefore also suitable for involving freelancers, for example, in the production or completion of page sections. As soon as the Composition Zone is returned or overwritten, the main document displays the updated Composition Zone. Combined with Quark’s new licensing policy (see box), this makes it very easy to involve external collaborators in projects.
External Composition Zones can also be integrated into other projects. For example, the Composition Zone for a CD cover can be used in a catalog where the same cover is to be displayed again. Making a central change to this CD cover then ensures a dynamic update in all projects linked to this Composition Zone.
… Synchronization within the document: The «Synchronized Text» feature available in XPress 6.x has been significantly expanded in the new version and is another practical feature of the new program version. This means that within a project, in addition to plain text, modifications to both the frame and its content can now be placed elsewhere in the layout or project using the palette now called «Reusable Content.» The same applies to imported images or graphics. Changes made to an element and/or its content—which were dragged from the palette onto the layout—are automatically applied to all other elements.
A Straightjacket for Individualists: What the subheading suggests has nothing to do with the curtailment of creative freedom in the DTP workplace. Rather, Quark aims to use a new technology—called Job Jackets—to ensure that all requirements, from the time of creation through to the final version, are met. The approach is straightforward: You provide the person creating the document with a pre-generated Job Jacket and have the page or document produced within those settings, then check it for any errors or deviations from the rules defined therein.
However, the task of creating a Job Jacket is anything but simple. Job Jackets—XML (eXtended Markup Language) files based on the Job Definition Format (JDF) that contain the rules for creating layouts—are attached to XPress 7 projects. They cannot be turned off or their function disabled (though you wouldn’t notice this if you aren’t working with them). The basis for the embedded Job Jacket is a standard file stored as the «Default Job Jacket» in the operating system’s Preferences folder.
The Job Jacket contains resources at the project level (style templates, colors, output styles, color management) and the layout level (layout specifications such as size, etc., rules/rule groups, and job descriptions). These are defined in one or more job tickets. There are three types of job tickets: the job ticket template, the active job ticket, and the job ticket that is currently not linked to the project. In addition to being embedded in the project, the entire Job Jacket structure can also be exported. Exporting it as an XML file ultimately allows it to be shared.
Depending on the job ticket, the «corset» for the desktop publisher or layout artist can be adjusted to be as loose or as tight as needed. This helps prevent many of the usual and well-known problems from occurring in the first place during output. For example, it’s possible to prevent the use of “hairline” weights or the application of bold or italic formatting via symbols. In addition, page formats, corporate colors, and color spaces can be defined—or you can prevent a fifth plate from being produced in a four-color process because an element was accidentally assigned a spot color.
As is well known, the list of potential errors that can occur during the creation of layout documents (this also applies to InDesign) is virtually endless. Job Jackets also prove to be particularly useful on large projects where you want to ensure that not every internal or external team member produces completely different documents, and where the project as a whole can be managed more effectively. This is because a Job Jacket can essentially be linked to any number of projects as a server-based project preference.
An even more practical feature that complements this concept is «Evaluation.» This feature allows documents to be assessed and reviewed retrospectively based on parameters defined in job tickets. Thanks to Job Jackets technology, errors in a document can now be eliminated step by step, and the document can be prepared for output.
Rules play an important role in this evaluation process. For example, they determine whether overprinting of black text is allowed. Presumably to achieve the greatest possible flexibility here, individual rules can be grouped together into rule sets. The rule groups themselves—like all the settings described so far—are configured using the Job Jacket Manager integrated into QuarkXPress.
These parameters should be set by employees who are able to assess the impact of the settings and configure them properly. However, any XPress 7 user can then check for themselves whether a document complies with the rules specified in the job ticket by selecting the «Evaluate Layout» menu item. A dialog box then clearly shows which rules have been followed and where exactly rules have been violated. The rule violations can then be addressed one by one. If desired, XPress 7 can be configured in the default settings so that the evaluation is performed automatically either when opening, saving, or closing a document—ensuring that nothing goes wrong.
Last but not least, it’s worth mentioning that Job Jackets can also be used to generate PDF/X-compliant documents for output. This can be done either via (PostScript) export followed by distillation (the term «Layout as PDF» is still misleading in XPress 7 because PostScript can be output in addition to PDF) using, for example, Acrobat Distiller—or directly from within XPress using the integrated PDF engine (Jaws Libraries) developed by Global Graphics.
Conclusion, Part 2: The Composition Zones and the expanded ability to synchronize objects are likely to be quickly adopted by users. The benefits are obvious, and the features are easy to use.
Job Jacket technology is the standout feature of XPress 7—simply because it results in higher-quality documents that are also more reliable in production. Quark has recognized the growing importance of the XML and JDF standards and has consistently integrated them into the new release. As a further step, Quark also plans to make Job Jackets available. A first strategic partnership has already been established in the United States with SRDS (www.srds.com). SRDS plans to offer ad specifications and resources as downloadable Job Jacket files.
However, it is still very difficult to assess whether agencies and/or the graphic design industry will recognize the potential of Job Jackets—a potential that even the author of this article had not yet fully grasped during the software testing phase.
As far as competition with other providers is concerned, Quark can sit back and relax for a while—at least from a technological standpoint. But not when it comes to market development: When asked whether Quark had noticed that a large number of agencies and print shops in Switzerland had switched to InDesign, Jürgen Kurz, head of the Desktop Products division, replied during the Quark Launch Tour at the end of May: «Yes, that hasn’t escaped our notice. Fortunately, Switzerland is an exception in this regard. Adobe is doing a very good job here. But we’re confident that we can regain ground here.»
XPress 7 Licenses: Purchasing QuarkXPress
Entitles the licensee to activate a single license; in addition, the licensee may perform a second installation and activation on their mobile device or at their home office. There are also multi-user licenses, which are governed by a license agreement. Using Quark License Administrator (a server within a company), licenses can be deactivated on one computer and reactivated on another. Licenses can thus also be assigned for a limited period of time.
Jürgen Franck
