Microsoft has a desktop publishing product, this is Publisher. The main reason for using a desktop publishing program rather than using a word processor program such as Microsoft Word, is that Publisher allows multiple frames to insert pictures or text. All information to be inserted in Publisher must be in a frame which you will become accustomed to with further use of the product.
The reason for the frame is to enable individual formatting of the frame and its contents. These frames can overlap, blend into other frames and the frame shape can be changed to suit the contents.
Starting Publisher is accessed from the start button, then All programs, and finally a left click on the Microsoft Publisher item in the menu.
You will be presented with the screen as shown above. Publisher presents you with a screen full of possible layouts.
This allows you to select the type of publication you wish to create from some of the pre-designed layouts listed on the left of the screen.
The “Start from a Design” option lets you pick the type of publication you want to design, such as a card or a brochure. These selections have pre-arranged layouts and all you do is fill in the blanks when asked. A discussion on the procedures of creating a publication using the wizard will follow after this introduction.
The screen above quickly demonstrates the ability of Publisher over the conventional word processor.
As you can see there are two frames overlapping each other, one frame is square to the page layout and of another colour than the frame set at an angle. Each frame has its own format options allowing borders or shading.
The text inside the frame can be sloped in any direction, tapers, curves and a host of other options are also available.
We will discuss these options later in this guide. Try out Publisher, the layout of the tool bars are set to the windows convention. So if you have used Word to create a letter, you can use Publisher.
When Publisher starts, the screen displayed has pre-designed layouts ready for you to select. If the desired design is not displayed, the list on the left of the screen has a variety of possibilities for your document. This list has sub menus on some of the options, so take some time to investigate these possible layouts.
To demonstrate the
wizard’s options follow these prompts in creating your first publication.
I have chosen to create a post card. Select postcards, informal, then “Bubbles Informational Postcard”. I have chosen this layout as it has multi- layered frames.
On the left of the design window is a list of options for the page layout and design. Study these closely, you will notice that the design can be set out on the page using either quarter or half of the page or if there is to be only one frame used, multiple images can be printed on one page. Other options are publication designs, colour schemes and font schemes. Clicking on any of these options gives you choices as to the presentation of the design.
I am staying with the basic design layout and colour scheme. Close the layout options on the left and the design window will enlarge. At the base of the design window there are two page icons displayed in the task bar. This indicates that there are two parts to this design.
If you select the page set up from the file menu, you will see a preview of the page area to be used. This can be changed, but it will affect the layout of the publication.
The next item to discuss is changing the text and pictures in the layout to your own design. Clicking on parts of the design will display the frame area for that item. Clicking on the text will allow you to alter the text using the current font size and style.
Style of text is not necessarily a major item in word processing, so we will investigate it here.
On the formatting bar above the design window there is another box with drop down options available when text is selected. This is the style option for the text.
Selecting the styles in for example, “Products/Service Information”, will alter the remaining text frames to suit the style and font designation.
Click on the font schemes and change the font, you will see that the fonts in the other text boxes change to suit the design. This gives you several choices, but again you can modify these as you see fit. Simply set up a style of your own.
Other items I wish to draw to your attention, are the position of some of the frames. Select the bubble around the “Products/Service Information” frame, it lies on an angle.
When the frame is selected, a green dot with a line to the top of the frame appears. This green dot is the point of axis for the angle of the frame.
Move the cursor to the green dot and the cursor will change to a circular arrow. Moving the mouse whilst holding down the index finger will rotate the frame around the green dot.
If you wish to move the frame, select the frame to move, move the cursor over the frame and the cursor will change to a set of cross hairs with a truck below the cross hairs.
Publisher has several cursor
designs, as you move the cursor over areas of the layout this will be apparent.
To describe all of the cursor styles used would take extensive time. Most of the cursors have an explanation associated with the change. This is evident if the cursor remains still for some time. Another option that is important is the use of wizards within the wizard design.
Click on the “Organization” frame, and then right click on the frame. A list of options appears in a drop down menu, the one special to us is “Wizard for this object” click on the option and a list appears on the left of the design window. Here you can use an existing logo design or choose the “logo Options” and design one of your own. When all of the frames have been changed to your design, simply choose print to see the final product. Don’t forget you have two pages to tend with.
I hope this has enlightened you to the use of Publishers wizards. Experiment as much as you wish. Of course you can always start with a blank page and create your own design from scratch.