10/22, 10:40pm
Blatner Tools plug-in adds over 100 new features
DTP Tools has announced a public beta of the Blatner Tools suite, a set of 12 InDesign plug-ins designed for functions such as automatically applying paragraph styles or locating colors within placed graphics. The plug-ins feature over 100 new features and provide tools for controlling text, comparing paragraph styles, or applying keyboard shortcuts to layers, styles or color swatches. For keeping track of changes, it includes a lite version of the company’s History plug-in which displays a panel listing of all past actions.
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08/28, 12:30pm
FlightCheck Pro 6.5 update
Markzware has released a v6.5 update for FlightCheck Professional, its specialized preflighting tool. The software scrutinizes output documents for problems that could potentially affect the print process, such as trapping, overprinting and mismatched color spaces. The app then flags source issues, which can be corrected through a separate publishing suite.
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08/18, 4:55pm
Claro Layout for InDesign
Elpical has introduced Claro Layout, a plug-in for InDesign that provides tools for image enhancement and correction. The utility automatically runs quality analysis and then makes the necessary adjustments. Users can integrate RGB images during layout, and then optimize the content without leaving InDesign.
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08/10, 7:05pm
LinkOptimizer Light 4
Zevrix Solutions has released v4 of its Adobe InDesign plug-in, LinkOptimizer Light. The software is used to convert between various image formats and eliminate excess image data, effectively reducing the time spent processing images for online posting. The latest version improves the link information table, allowing users to view selected links in the InDesign document. The update also enhances back-up and relinking features, with options to optimize links for external use, such as web design, without relinking back to InDesign.
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07/31, 3:40pm
MadeToPrint upgraded
axaio has released new versions of its MadeToPrint line of products, used to standardize output from InDesign and QuarkXPress. The line consists of MadeToPrint Standard, MadeToPrint Auto, and MadeToPrint Server. The Auto and Server versions integrate into various publishing systems, including vjoon's K4 and WoodWing's Smart Connection Enterprise. The update exports fully imposed PDFs.
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07/24, 4:30pm
MathMagic 6.4 patch
InfoLogic has posted v6.4 of MathMagic, its equation editor. The app is divided into two main editions: Personal, which exports generalized output, and Pro, which includes plug-ins for either InDesign or QuarkXPress. The plug-ins are said to improve the quality of output, and speed up the insertion of equations into publishing documents.
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07/22, 4:40pm
LinkOptimizer 4 update
Zevrix has launched a new version of its InDesign optimization software, LinkOptimizer 4. The application helps resize InDesign jobs, while increasing processing speed by eliminating excess data. With the update LinkOptimizer is now a Cocoa-based plug-in, armed with a redesigned user interface and over 20 added features such as setting presets, resampling methods and detailed processing logs.
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07/20, 12:15pm
Chartbot Barcodes released
XChange UK and ThePowerXChange have released Chartbot Barcodes, a new add-on for InDesign and QuarkXPress. Users can produce 1D, 2D and postal barcodes, without having to apply special barcode fonts. The software specifically works with variable data sources such as InDesign's Data Merge, and can automatically encode, checksum and resize graphics without reformatting a database.
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06/17, 7:30pm
TypeFitter Pro features
Teacup Software has added several new features to its TypeFitter Pro plug-in for Adobe InDesign and InCopy. The software is designed to fix problems when pasting text into an InDesign spread. The Gap-toothed columns feature automatically detects and fixes gaps at the bottom of a text column without affecting vertical spacing. The update also offers Stubby chapter ends, a utility that tightens or loosens document text to prevent small numbers of words from being pushed to the last page or column.
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04/21, 3:10pm
WebNative plug-ins for CS4
Xinet has released three WebNative plug-ins for Adobe CS4: WebNative ID, Annotator ID, and Asset Browser ID. Each plug-in is designed to help merge the new features in CS4 with the company’s digital asset management software. WebNative ID is an application that creates previews for documents, and contains links to images used. Owners can also drag and drop images from the web preview directly into InDesign documents on the desktop. WebNative ID will only create previews for documents that have been saved after the program has been installed.
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03/26, 11:10pm
DesignMerge Pro plug-in
Meadows Publishing has announced a new plug-in for Adobe InDesign CS4, DesignMerge Pro. The software works within the InDesign application and enables variable data publishing, personalized printing, document automation features, and professional mail-merge. It supports text, picture, article, complete InDesign layouts, and master pages. DesignMerge Pro also includes a printing function designed for digital short-run color printers and copiers that are in need of quick throughput, and supports PostScript, PPML, and Creo VPS data printing formats.
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03/16, 12:05pm
Smart Image CS4 debuts
WoodWing has released an updated plug-in for Adobe's InDesign publishing software. Smart Image CS4 is said to be aimed at organizations like magazines and newspapers, which frequently need to place caption and credit information alongside photos in their publications. The plug-in is used to automatically generate text frames around images, borrowing information from XMP or IPTC metadata.
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03/10, 12:05pm
CtrlChanges for InDesign
XChange UK has announced CtrlChanges, a plug-in for Adobe InDesign and InCopy that helps users spot changes in an InDesign document. Created for situations in which more than one user is working with a document, the plug-in displays both added and removed text in the layout view. The software also provides users with information showing who has made a change, and at what time it was authored. CtrlChanges is available in three different versions: Light, Standard and Pro.
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02/27, 4:15pm
BatchOutput 3.5 released
Zevrix has posted an update to one of its InDesign companion plug-ins, BatchOutput. The app handles automatic export and printing of data from InDesign, to print-specific formats such as PDF, PostScript and EPS, or alternately JPEG or SWF. Users can quickly bring files into the program through Finder integration, and process multiple documents at a time using a single range of settings.
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02/13, 12:30pm
Vjoon K4 CS4 support
Managing Editor Inc. has announced that its vjoon K4 5.9 R8 publishing system is now compatible with Adobe Creative Suite 4. The K4 layout and editing plug-ins for InDesign and InCopy, as well as the K4 modules including Web Editor, File Manager and Overview have been revised to work with the latest Adobe software. The company has also brought CS4 compatibility to its Notes Manager, Overset Manager and Revision Manager plug-ins.
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02/03, 3:10pm
StudioPack ID for CS4
GLUON has released an update to StudioPack ID, a collection of publishing tools for Adobe InDesign. Included in the pack are Slugger, which automatically updates slugs and includes a designer, and Cropster, which simplifies the creation of mechanical layouts. Another long-standing tool in the pack is ProScale, which resizes documents without skewing text or imagery.
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02/03, 10:40am
WoodWing Enterprise 6
WoodWing has begun distributing Enterprise 6, an update to its signature publishing platform. The software links InDesign, InCopy and web-based content management systems, as well as a variety of other applications. New to the sixth edition is the Content Station, which lets users pull material from third-party sources such as DAM and wire systems in order to build content packages. The app reduces the need to leave Enterprise, and additionally includes an XML editor for creating digital-only output.
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02/02, 9:55pm
AutoPrice for Mac and PC
Meadows Publishing has released AutoPrice, a price updating application for QuarkXPress and Adobe InDesign documents. The program is designed to perform price updates on catalogs or retail fliers, while offering additional tools to update phone lists, time tables, or other information that can be referenced by a key value. Users can process large projects using batch processing, while the program also supports special price styling, picture imports and ODBC for updating documents in flat-file format.
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01/28, 10:45pm
BatchOutput 3.4 update
Zevrix Solutions has released BatchOutput 3.4, the latest version of its automated printing and exporting software for Adobe InDesign. The update now supports document export into the Adobe Flash CS4 Pro file format (XFL). Another new feature allows multiple InDesign documents to be repurposed for Flash Pro, instead of having to open and export each individual file.
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01/23, 5:15pm
Markzware IDQ24 update
Markzware has released an update to its InDesign-to-QuarkXPress conversion tool, ID2Q 4. The program is designed to take the content from InDesign that users choose to convert, and re-create it in QuarkXPress. With the new version, IDQ24 will be able to convert all InDesign documents -- through the latest CS4 release -- into QuarkXPress 7/8 versions. Items that can be converted from InDesign include page positioning, color models, fonts and styles, and text attributes.
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01/23, 1:55pm
InDesign CS4 Server ships
Adobe has begun shipping InDesign CS4 Server, the companion software for its flagship publishing program. Server is meant to automate publishing tasks in larger corporate environments, and in its CS4 incarnation has been enhanced with IDML (InDesign Markup Language) support, which uses XML tools to assemble or disassemble InDesign documents without launching an INDD file.
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01/20, 11:25pm
ColorBreaker for CS4
Gluon has announced that its ColorBreaker ID plug-in is now available for Adobe InDesign CS4. The program provides automatic color mark-up for documents by placing tags that contain necessary information, with SmartTag technology that is designed to increase effectiveness by using arrows that point to items and text blocks. When a tag is moved, the arrows automatically reattach themselves in the new orientation to enable easier editing following the automated process. The plug-in also provides a collision avoidance feature that determines whether to move a tag or designate a call-out arrow.
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01/15, 12:15pm
PDF2ID 2.0 released
As promised early last month, Recosoft has released both the Standard and Professional versions of PDF2ID 2.0. The tool is used to convert PDF files into InDesign documents, while maintaining formatting and appearance. The primary upgrade of v2.0 is support for InDesign CS4, in addition to CS2 and CS3. The software is also able to remember font substitution assignments in a Typeface library, and apply properties such as drop caps, drop shadows and paragraphs within table cells.
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01/14, 6:15pm
BatchOutput, KYW
KeyBag 1.2 ($50) is designed to record every keystroke entered. The program can keep track of opened applications, conversations, and any keys pressed in the applications. Version 1.2 can export logged results to either the CSV, TXT or HTML file formats and has also been updated with a few bug fixes and overall stability enhancements. [Download - 4.5MB]
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01/14, 12:35pm
XChange InDesign plug-ins
Developer XChange has announced updates to a key set of publishing plug-ins, designed to mesh layouts with database information. Previously available for QuarkXPress and other versions of InDesign, the plug-ins are now said to have been upgraded with InDesign CS4 support. First among them is InData, which attempts to simplify repetitive publishing tasks by building scripts which include or exclude particular fields or pictures.
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12/04, 3:55pm
Q2ID 4 shipping
Markzware has released its new QuarkXPress to InDesign migrator, Q2ID 4, now adapted for Adobe's InDesign CS4. The upgraded version works in both CS3 and CS4, and supports QuarkXPress documents from v3.3 through to v8.0. The converter retains all the layout and design details of a Quark document, and reformats them into an InDesign file.
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12/04, 2:55pm
Smart Image shipping
WoodWing has launched Smart Image, an InDesign plug-in that captures caption and credit information from XMP/IPTC data within images, and automatically inserts the content into a user's layout. The plug-in uses settings, styles and templates to add the captured text, and offers position, alignment and size presets as necessary. Prefixes and suffixes can be added to each capture as well.
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12/04, 2:40pm
PDF2ID 2.0 en route
Recosoft says it will be launching two new PDF converters, PDF2ID 2.0 Standard and PDF2ID 2.0 Professional, in January. The upgrades carry over 200 new features, with InDesign CS4 support headlining. The software is used to convert PDFs to the InDesign format; v2.0 adds text frames linking for easier selections and editing, and a new typeface library for font substitutions. Conversion presets for InDesign property generation (e.g. drop caps, drop shadows, etc.) have also been introduced.
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12/02, 3:05pm
FontAgent Pro 4.0.3 update
Insider Software has added support for Adobe's Creative Suite 4 and QuarkXPress 8 to its newly released FontAgent Pro 4.0.3. The update specifically includes auto-activation plug-ins for Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator in CS2 through CS4, as well as QuarkXPress versions 6 through 8.0.1. The download also adds support for French and Italian language systems, and detects and installs in the user's current language.
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12/02, 12:55am
Teacup CS4 plugins
Teacup Software has released several of its plug-ins for Adobe InDesign CS4, including TypeFitter, BarcodeMaker, DataLinker and PatternMaker. TypeFitter is an automated copy-fitting tool, working to find and fix copy problems while highlighting and tracking any changes it makes for later viewing and user-modification. BarcodeMaker allows users to make 27 different types of barcodes, and can also integrate with DataLinker for automatic generation of barcodes as part of dynamic database content. The updated plug-ins are also claimed to offer a number of bug fixes and stability enhancements.
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11/05, 11:55am
EasyCatalog InDesign CS4
65bit Software has released a new version of its EasyCatalog tool for Adobe InDesign, now adapted to support InDesign CS4. The app is used to import data from databases into InDesign layouts, saving effort on manual input. Data can come from a variety of sources, including XML files or ODBC databases, as well as CSV or tab-delimited files produced by Microsoft Excel.
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10/27, 4:15pm
QPS supports InDesign
Quark explains that it has expanded the support of Quark Publishing System, its workflow companion software for QuarkXPress. QPS should now support both QuarkCopyDesk and Adobe InDesign, and by consequence, Adobe InCopy. The newly-supported apps should thus be able to operate under the same workflow, for instance allowing check-in through the same software, and assignment of InCopy articles from within InDesign.
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10/23, 5:30pm
DTP promises more plug-ins
DTP Tools launched its first six plug-ins supporting InDesign CS4. The six new plug-ins are Page Control 2.1, History 2.3, Cross-Reference 1.0, Layer Comps 1.1, Layer Groups 1.2 and Tetris. Documents with multiple page sizes created with InDesign CS, CS2 and CS3 Page Control, documents containing History versions from InDesign CS through CS3, Documents utilizing Layer Comps and Layer Groups, and documents using Cross-References can now be fully utilized in InDesign CS4.
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10/20, 11:30pm
BatchOutput Server release
Zevrix Solutions has released BatchOutput Server, an automation program for Adobe InDesign. The software is configurable to automatically print or export to PDF and PostScript, by using network "hotfolders" to hold InDesign files for processing. Users copy content to the hotfolders that are watched by the program, and the actions are executed according to the necessary workflow settings. The program checks for basic problems during processing and skips any files that are missing links or fonts, set with an invalid page range, or contain other errors.
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09/23, 1:50pm
Adobe CS4 unveiled
Adobe is calling the latest release of its ubiquitous Creative Suite a milestone -- but users expecting a radical change will probably disagree. CS4 is less about fancy new features, and more about workflow -- that is, making the products work better together. The Suite, officially unveiled Monday night, contains hundreds of refinements designed to "bring down the walls" in the creative process, by making it easier to move content between applications and by adopting a consistent user interface across the entire suite. Adobe has also added more web-accessible content and Connect Pro meeting software for instant communication between artists and developers. There are new features as well, but the real meat in this release is the improved integration, efficiency and collaboration tools.
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09/23, 12:00pm
InDesign CS4 details
As a part of its Creative Suite 4 announcements, Adobe has revealed details on the next version of InDesign. The publishing tool will add a variety of new features, such as the ability to export to XFL files, and open them up in Flash CS4 Professional for inserting animation and interactions. Simpler interactive documents can be exported directly to SWF or interactive PDF files.
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09/19, 3:35pm
TypeFitter Pro launched
Teacup Software has released TypeFitter Pro, an advanced version of its TypeFitter plug-in for Adobe's InDesign CS3. The plug-in allows automated typefitting with attention to typography quality. It can create custom typefit rules to work with windows, oversets and off-balance columns, and it includes the manual typefit tools found in the original TypeFitter.
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09/08, 6:45pm
Quark 8's new extensions
XChange International has launched two XTensions for QuarkXPress 8, Xtags and DATAformXT. Both are now available for QuarkXPress 8 and also as plug-ins to Adobe InDesign.
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06/25, 5:25pm
InDesign Image Catalog 3.3
AppleScript developer Chris Paveglio has released InDesign Image Catalog 3.30, including OS X Leopard compatability, on-the-fly scanning of document presets, bug fixes and other enhancements. ID Image Catalog creates contact sheets and visual catalogs of most major image formats for Adobe InDesign CS3. The update is free to current users.
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05/13, 4:05pm
QuarkXPress 8 vs. CS3?
Quark is preparing a new version of QuarkXPress for this August, and is deliberately looking to one-up Adobe's Creative Suite, according to inside sources for AppleInsider. QuarkXPress 8 is, for instance, expected not only to take advantage of InDesign's continuing instability under Mac OS X Leopard, but to expand support for Illustrator and Photoshop files, and implement standardized Bézier pen tools that may reduce any need for Illustrator in publishing.
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02/19, 11:30am
Page Control 2.0 ships
DTP Tools has released the second edition of Page Control, its plug-in for InDesign CS, CS2 and CS3. The original software allowed users to fit multiple page sizes into the same document; v2.0 greatly expands on this, by for instance letting users arrange documents into vertical spreads, essential for "flip-up" documents like calendars. Pages can further be individually rotated, allowing for combinations of portrait and landscape layouts.
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01/23, 10:15am
Adobe InDesign, AE updated
Adobe today released several updates to its software applications for professionals, including After Effects, InDesign, and InCopy. The Adobe After Effects CS3 Professional software 8.0.2 update provides Panasonic P2 format support, Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard compatibility fixes, Mac OpenGL support for supported video cards under Mac OS X v10.4.10 and v10.5, and other important fixes. The update for its professional video editing solution is 106.3MB and is available online. Adobe also noted that the Adobe InCopy CS3 5.02 update, for its provides key fixes in the areas of character alignment, undo and redo, text and fonts, dictionaries, import/export graphics, and others; the installer includes fixes from all previously released InCopy CS3 5.0.x updates (and previous InCopy CS3 5.0.x updates are no longer available separately.
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12/14, 11:30am
PDF2ID 1.1 goes Leopard
Recosoft has released an update to one of its flagship products, PDF2ID. The program is a plug-in for Adobe InDesign CS2 and CS3, able to translate PDF files with elements such as images and text layout intact. Version 1.1 is a major update, first of all ensuring full compatibility with Mac OS X Leopard. Several other enhancements have been included as well though, such as support for the OpenType fonts developed by Microsoft and Adobe, and automatic character and paragraph style generation
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11/29, 3:35pm
Adobe plug-ins updated
Two plug-in updates have surfaced for Adobe software to help users update prices in InDesign documents and 'spray' pictures on top of any RGB photos or layers in Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Elements. Meadows Publishing Solutions has released AutoPrice for Adobe InDesign CS3, an easy-to-use plug-in module designed to streamline the updating of prices and similar information in InDesign documents. Meanwhile Human Software has released PhotoSpray 1.8 as a Universal Binary that works with Mac OS X Leopard (pricing for both AutoPrice and PhotoSpray was unavailable).
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