Calling all creative types! Quark XPress 8 to the uninitiated is a computer application for creating, editing and produce any kind of layout, from flyers to complex page layouts required by magazines, newspapers, catalogues, and anything else you can think of printing. Straight away if you have used Quark previously you will notice that there has been some major changes to the user interface. This new interface is a bit “windowsy” for want of a better word.
With Quark XPress 8 there is now only one box tool (along with a circle tool and a starburst tool). You draw the shape without regard to content, and if you import or type text, it turns into a text box. If you import or draw a picture, it takes on the attributes of a picture box. Indeed, with Quark XPress 8, you don’t have to draw a box at all -- just import or drag a picture or text to the page and an appropriate box will be created automatically. And if you import or drag in a really large image, XPress creates a scaled-down picture box no bigger than the page, so you can easily resize it without having to scroll way into the pasteboard trying to find the edge.
Quark cut back on tool commands by introducing what they call “direct manipulation” of boxes, which is hardly a breakthrough, but welcome nonetheless. Now, instead of having to choose a rotation tool or a re-size tool, you just mouse over the right part of the box and a pointer appears. Quark has standardized on single-letter keyboard shortcuts for switching tools that, for the most part, mimic those found in Adobe’s Creative Suite.
Quark XPress 8 has a number of intuitive improvements. Along them the best are: streamlined tool sets; Flash and Illustrator file support; enhanced grids and guides; robust hanging characters; new Picture Content Tool and cropping preview and full international support in every box. Quark XPress 8 works with both Macs and PCs and has Native Illustrator and Photoshop integration so there's no need to hesitate. Increase your productivity at a fantastic price by picking up Quark here.
