Page 25 - DCAP109_GRAPHIC_TOOLS

Graphic Tools

Notes By today’s standards, early desktop publishing was a primitive affair. Users of the PageMaker-
LaserWriter-Macintosh 512K system endured frequent software crashes, cramped display on the
Mac’s tiny 512 x 342 1-bit monochrome screen, the lack of ability to control letter spacing,
kerning (the addition or removal of space between individual characters in a piece of typeset
text to improve its appearance or alter its fit) and other typographic features, and discrepancies
between the screen display and printed output. However, it was a revolutionary combination at
the time, and was received with considerable acclaim.
During its early years, desktop publishing had a bad status as a result of untrained users who
created poorly-organized ransom note effect layouts — similar criticism would be levied again
against early Web publishers a decade later. However, some were able to realize truly professional
results.

Once considered a primary skill, increased accessibility to more user-friendly DTP software has
made DTP a secondary skill to art direction, graphic design, multimedia development, marketing
communications, administrative careers and advanced high school literacy in thriving economies.
DTP skill levels range from what may be learned in a few hours (e.g. learning how to put clip art
in a word processor) to what requires a college education and years of experience (e.g. advertising
agency positions). The discipline of DTP skills ranges from technical skills such as prepress
production and programming to creative skills such as communication design and graphic
image development.

2.1 Meaning of Desktop Publishing (DTP)

Desktop publishing (DTP) is the making of documents using page layout skills on a personal
computer. When used capably, desktop publishing software can create text and images with
attractive layouts and typographic quality comparable to traditional typography and printing.
This technology allows individuals, businesses, and other organizations to self-publish a wide
range of printed matter (from menus and local newsletters to books, magazines, and newspapers),
sometimes without the prohibitive expense of commercial printing.
Desktop publishing combines a personal computer and WYSIWYG page layout software to
create publication documents on a computer for both large scale publishing or small scale local
multifunction peripheral output and distribution. Desktop publishing methods provide more
power over design, layout, and typography than word processing does. However, word processing
software has evolved to include some of the capabilities previously available only with
professional printing or desktop publishing.

2.1.1 Text

Since the advent of desktop publishing, DTP is used to create a simple document. The first DTP
software appeared in 1985. As it was created by Aldus Corporation, it also had the advantage of
being WYSIWYG. The ease of use remained despite DTP programs becoming more sophisticated.
There are numerous fonts to select from when creating DTP documents. The user is also helped
by the uniformity of DTP programs when it comes to adjusting text size and margins.

2.1.2 Images

One major advantage of DTP is being able to import images into a document. This is of huge
assistance to people who create any printed matter and has only a small print run. Before DTP,
the cut-paste method was most commonly used, or a stencil was used through a duplicator.
Through DTP, simplest graphic or a color photograph, that too, in fine detail can be imported
into a document.

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