The MAPublisher plug-in for Illustrator CS3 and CS4 is not for the timid: You should be familiar with GIS (Geographic Information System) data and have a need to publish that data in a visual format. Simply put, the plug-in uses GIS data to create maps in Illustrator. You first create an Illustrator file and import the GIS data (in popular data formats such as AutoCAD, ESRI, MapInfo, and USGS) to create maps up to 200″ square. After importing, you can manipulate the resulting map in a number of ways.

Last time I used MAPublisher, it was version 4; it’s come a long way since then. Exciting new features include the ability to export maps to an interactive Flash file (this alone could expand the user base); automate the labeling of map features (as an optional add-on); use stylesheets for consistent formatting; work with GPS data; crop maps without messing up the overall map coordinates; and use CS4’s multiple artboards. Some of these features take time to set up and use properly; however, most of the setup work can be saved for future use.

The only fault I found was not with the MAPublisher plug-in, but with the tutorials. They certainly showed how to work with the plug-in’s features well enough (and perhaps that’s all you might expect) but I’d have liked more information on how the data could be used after manipulating it with the tools. I suspect Avenza didn’t want to insult their more-experienced audience by telling them how to do their jobs because, as mentioned above, you need to be familiar with GIS and its use. But a section on “why you might need and how you can use this data” might be useful for beginners in the GIS arena.—David Creamer

Company: Avenza Systems Inc.
Price: $1,249 (Upgrade $549)
Web: www.avenza.com
Rating: 5

Hot: Creates maps from GIS data
Not: Cost

PDF2ID now comes in two versions: Professional and Standard. Professional includes all the Standard features, plus three unique features. For just the second version of the PDF2ID plug-in, it has a nice list of new features.

Two important new features are frames linking and the Typeface library. Frames linking does exactly what the name implies—it tries to intelligently link the frames based on similar type styles. It appears that the text linking is limited to single pages, as it didn’t link across spreads. The Typeface library is a repository of saved font substitutions, which can be referenced for future documents—a big time saver when dealing with standard Windows-to-Mac fonts or Type1-to-OpenType conversions. (InDesign could use this feature!)

Other useful features include the ability to save presets of the conversion settings, and the PDF inspector, which gives general information about the PDF before conversion. The Professional version adds the option of color spaces other than RGB, converting images to CMYK-TIFF, and multiple-processor conversion. It’s well worth the extra $100 for those in the printing business.

There are a couple of features I’d like to see in the next version (in addition to even more accurate translation): Paragraph and character styles named by the typeface and type size to help identify where the styles were used; and the ability to install the plug-in in different versions of InDesign on the same computer (currently, the plug-in removes any previous install, even of the same version).

While the PDF2ID plug-in works well overall, don’t expect seamless translations—even for simple PDFs. A great deal depends on how the PDF was created. This version did a better job converting graphics, but still had trouble with basic two-column text threads. If you need to convert a number of PDFs, this plug-in can save a lot of re-creation time.—David Creamer

Company: Recosoft Corporation
Price: $399 Pro; $299 Standard
Web: www.recosoft.com
Rating: 4

Hot: Easy-to-use conversion plug-in
Not: Text flow doesn’t extend across multiple pages; basic translation errors

The main focus of Q2ID v4 is to support InDesign CS4 and QuarkXPress 8 files. One important thing that’s changed in this version is the updated conversion notes PDF, which now lists most of the conversion issues you might encounter. Another change is that you can use either the InDesign Open menu or the new Markzware menu. Quark files with multiple layouts can be converted individually or all at once; multiple Quark files can be converted, too.

This version appears to fix most of the issues I noted in the last version, including keeping the proper based-on settings, better translations of Quark’s transparency effects into InDesign (with one major exception noted below), and better layer translation between programs.

The biggest glitch I could find was that text with opacity applied to it in Quark is translated to tinted text in InDesign, even if the text had just one opacity setting for the entire text block (Quark can set opacity on a per-character basis). Opacity of text should be honored and if the text has multiple opacity settings, the first character’s settings should be used. A less-critical issue is the stroke alignment—Quark typically positions the frame inside the item, whereas InDesign centers the stroke on the object. These are the defaults used during translation; however, InDesign does support aligning the stroke inside the object. This is an issue when using opacity on the stroke.

Other areas that still need improvement are some text conversion settings (such as keep-with-next-paragraph settings and discretionary line breaks), Photoshop layer control, and conversion of item styles to object styles.

Overall, Q2ID does a great job converting QuarkXPress documents to InDesign. Considering there are no other options out there, this plug-in is a must-have.—David Creamer

Company: Markzware
Price: $199
Web: www.markzware.com
Rating: 4.5

Hot: Easy to use
Not: Opacity on Quark text doesn’t translate

Based on the cost of EasyCatalog and the add-on modules, you can see that this product isn’t for the casual user. However, if you create any form of data-driven publication, including product catalogs (with photos), table-based documents, and more advanced paginated layouts, you should check out this product. As the name implies, EasyCatalog is actually easy to set up and use, but like most programs, one must read the (relatively short) manual to know the full capabilities.
By itself, EasyCatalog works with standard tab- or comma-delimited text files from a database. Add-on modules are available for more advanced features including: ODBC Data Provider for creating two-way links to a database including FileMaker and Access (this requires setup with the OS); Relational for working with multiple data sources; XML Data Provider for importing data directly from an XML file; Pagination, which is required for doing advanced paginated layouts; and Scripting, which, like InDesign, works with JavaScript, AppleScript, and Visual Basic.

Photos can be imported if the info is included in the database file, either by full path name or just the image name if the images are stored in a predetermined location. The latter is a nice option since the images can quickly be moved and the location updated in the field options.

As it stands, many users will want to get the ODBC and Pagination modules, which adds another $798 to the cost ($199 and $599, respectively). EasyCatalog is available for older versions of InDesign, too. If this product is overkill for your needs, check out 65bit’s EasyCatalog Lite, available for $299.—David Creamer

Company: 65bit Software Ltd
Price: $1,299 (Optional modules: $199–599)
Web: www.65bit.com
Rating: 5

Hot: Basic database publishing is easy to use
Not:

BatchOutput Server is an extremely useful utility for a busy production facility or advertising agency. It offloads the processing of InDesign files to PDF, PostScript, or directly to a printer to a central system rather than letting each user create his or her own files or print separately, possibly using incorrect settings.

The setup process is fairly simple: The first step involves installing the Server product on a standalone Macintosh system that has Adobe InDesign installed. After starting the Server application, you set up workflows for various output needs (including multiple PDF output options), which are linked to hotfolders on the server. (These hotfolders must be shared on the network.) Other useful server options include exporting as single pages, appending filenames with variable info, error handling, and email notification.

On the Macintosh, a script is installed into the InDesign folder, and users can submit jobs to the server hotfolders via an added menu. Windows users need to set the page range under the File Info dialog (after installing a small XMP file) and then package to the shared hotfolders. Note: The XMP file is not currently compatible with InDesign CS4, but this should be updated by midyear. The Server supports OpenType and both Mac and Windows versions of TrueType and Type 1 fonts. It should be noted that links aren’t copied and the assumption is that all the linked graphics are available on a network server. Processing can also be monitored from a Mac.
The user’s experience is very straightforward, although it’s slightly easier on the Mac. Hopefully, the Windows version will have a plug-in or script similar to the Mac version in a future release. While the total cost doesn’t make this software for everyone, it can save lots of time—which equates to money.—David Creamer

Company: Zevrix Solutions
Price: $499.95
Web: www.zevrix.com
Rating: 4.5

Hot: Processes ID files independent of user computers
Not: Needs identical Windows end-user plug-in

The callas pdfToolbox 4 plug-in adds a whole slew of useful functions to Acrobat. In fact, it adds so many functions, using it might seem slightly overwhelming at first. Luckily, most of the functions are straightforward and easy to use.

The more interesting functions include: imposition for arranging pages for print; preparing files for slide presentation and handouts; importing the PDF into InDesign or QuarkXPress for layered edits; scaling pages or content; replacing or outlining fonts; converting 4/C black to 100K; adding, removing, importing, or flattening layers; and generating extensive reports about fonts, images, and colors. Other functions include converting the PDF to various prepress standards; increasing minimum line width; flattening transparency; converting color; and downsampling images; however, most of these functions can be performed in Acrobat without the aid of a plug-in (but the plug-in makes the features easy to access).

The plug-in is easy to use: Begin with the Switchboard, which is a shortcut panel to all the available functions. Most of the functions have secondary choices, then there may be other choices before you finally execute the function. Some of the features are fairly unique and useful, such as the ability to split page layouts in half (handy for layouts output as spreads) or to split files apart by content (e.g., one file for text and one for graphics). The plug-in simply offers too many features to cover each one in detail, but if any of the aforementioned features sound like ones you need, be sure to check out this plug-in.—David Creamer

PRICE: $645
FROM: callas software GmbH
WEB: www.callassoftware.com
RATING: 4.5

LAYERS VERDICT
HOT Multitude of PDF functions
NOT Some functions dupe native prepress Acrobat functions

Printools 5 is a batch-print utility (among other things) for InDesign CS3. It runs as a separate program that’s activated under the File menu in InDesign. The program is very simple to use with many useful options.

The batch printing can handle up to 5,000 documents at once, so it should be robust enough for most users. When printing, it can use a preexisting print preset from InDesign. Of course, it does much more than simply printing—it can also create PDFs (using any presets that have been created), PostScript files (for older print-house workflows), and INX files (InDesign Interchange files can be used for trouble-shooting and for conversion to InDesign CS2).

Another useful feature is the ability to run preflight on the files. While not an all-inclusive preflight application, it does cover the basics. These include missing fonts and missing or modified links (it can update modified links automatically). Other useful preflight features include the ability to flag text overflows, nonprinting images, images below a user-determined effective resolution, and RGB images.
Other features include the ability to rename the output file to the RIP (for use with older RIPs that may choke on long file names); the ability to rename files being exported as PDF, PS, or INX; to set the page range desired to output; to run in simulation mode to run only the preflight options; and to create a print log from the preflight simulation.

While Printools 5 is currently for InDesign CS3, a CS4 version should be released soon. The biggest complaint I have with Printools is it’s available only for the Mac; it would be nice to have a Windows version too.—David Creamer

PRICE: $119.99
FROM: Badia Software
WEB: www.badiasoftware.com
RATING: 5

LAYERS VERDICT
HOT Easy way to batch print or PDF large numbers of files
NOT Macintosh only

FOLDRite is an easy-to-use, but very powerful plug-in for Adobe InDesign that creates folded brochures designed with precision (technically, the plug-in opens up a separate program). A layout that could ordinarily take more than an hour to create manually can be created in a matter of minutes.

The process starts by selecting FOLDRite Template Master from the File menu (after installing the plug-in of, course), then you choose the type of folded document from eleven styles. If you have the Info panel open, the names of the different folds are shown along with considerations about printing the design. Next come the style modification settings that include: reversing the fold; using a broadside, short inside, or short outside fold; or rotating the layout. Finally, you choose either the overall flat size or the panel size. Some settings allow you to change the number of panels and how any inside panel widths are adjusted. You can also save the settings as a preset and use it to update an existing InDesign layout (without losing any of the layout’s objects).

The layout created is a production-manager’s dream: fold lines and crop marks inside the slug area (but outside the bleed); panels all clearly identified; and all marks and guides on separate, locked layers.

I was surprised at the price, however. At more than half the cost of InDesign, FOLDRite might be priced too high for the average freelance designer. Of course, if you’re building brochures on a daily (or even weekly) basis, the payback can come quickly.

To show how serious this company takes folding, in addition to the plug-in, Network PDF sells books and posters about folding. A limited demo version of the plug-in is available.—David Creamer

PRICE: $399
FROM: Network PDF, Inc.
WEB: www.networkpdf.com
RATING: 4.5

LAYERS VERDICT
HOT Makes designing jobs with folds very easy
NOT Price

After years of waiting, Extensis has finally brought forth their new font-server product, the Universal Type Server, which comes in two versions: Lite and Professional. The Lite version is for small groups (up to 10 users), while the Pro version is for unlimited users (at a per-user cost).

For this review, I tested the Lite version and installation on the server went easily, without a hitch. After the server install, you switch to a Flash-enabled Web browser to configure the permissions. The nice part of this is that the configuration can be done from any computer on the network, not just the font server client (although it’s easier to access from the client’s). The configurations break down into three main areas: Workgroups, Roles, and Users. Generally, I’d recommend defining roles first, which sets limits for each type of user. Two default users are set up: Font Administrator and Regular User, but others can be defined. The permissions boil down to only a handful of settings that define what each user can do, such as the ability to collect fonts for output or add and remove fonts. After that, it would make sense to set up the Workgroups, which are the main categories of users (for example, by company departments). (Important: Even if you plan on having everyone in the same workgroup, you have to create one; you can’t add fonts to the default All Users workgroup.) And, finally, the users have to be defined.

After the server aspect of the install is set up, you have to install the client software on each machine—Macintosh or Windows, regardless of the server’s platform. From this software, you can then install fonts to a workgroup. (This brings up an issue of mine: I’d prefer to be able to add fonts when setting up the server rather than logging on as a client later.) As mentioned, fonts can be added to the workgroup and synchronized with the server when connected (in case they’re added when offline). If the server isn’t available—either because the client is on the network or the server goes down—the client switches to offline mode and lets the user work with cached fonts (depending on the server permissions). Fonts can also be added to a personal workgroup, which aren’t synchronized with the server.

The client software can run in the background, so the Universal Type client application doesn’t have to be running to activate fonts (unlike Extensis Suitcase). I did notice that when running, the Universal Type client periodically took up a lot of my CPU usage and caused the fans on my MacBook Pro to kick in.

One of the more interesting aspects of the server is that font license information can be (manually) entered, limiting the number of users of a given font to the actual foundry license. In addition, there are other interesting features of the Universal Type Server that space doesn’t permit me to cover, such as Font Sense, which helps distinguish between different versions of the same font. At its website, Extensis has many useful PDFs detailing the many features of Universal Type Server. If you’re in the market for a better way to organize and handle your fonts in a workgroup, you owe it to yourself to check out this software.—David Creamer

PRICE: $1,395 (Lite)
FROM: Extensis
WEB: www.extensis.com
RATING: 4.5

LAYERS VERDICT
HOT Relatively easy to set up; users can work offline
NOT Expensive for small groups (2–5 users)

DeskUNPDF is an easy-to-use PDF converter with some interesting features: It can convert PDFs to Microsoft Word, Open Document, HTML, XML, Sony ebook, Excel, and image formats. It can also batch convert.

In my tests, I took three different PDFs—one created from Microsoft Word, one from Excel, and one from InDesign—and exported them back out to Word or Excel in an attempt to extract the text.

deskUNPDF did an adequate job on both the Word and Excel PDFs, but the InDesign PDF was virtually useless, even though I tried all the text formatting output options available (word processing, page layout, line by line, per character, and unformatted) and changed the default font settings to the same as the font used in the InDesign document. (It should be noted that I only tested the Macintosh version; the Windows version may produce slightly different results.)

Based on my limited results, I cannot recommend this product unless you use only conversions to Microsoft Word and Excel. Also keep in mind that according to Docudesk’s website, “deskUNPDF was developed in response to the feature most commonly requested by deskPDF customers—the ability to make changes to a PDF without the need for Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader.” So if you already have Acrobat Pro, a separate conversion utility isn’t really necessary because most of these features can be found in Acrobat Pro. Other than the Excel PDF, Acrobat did a better job with the conversions.—David Creamer

PRICE: $69.95
FROM: Docudesk
WEB: www.docudesk.com
RATING: 2

LAYERS VERDICT
HOT Supports many conversion formats
NOT Doesn’t work well with complex PDFs

DesignMerge is a plug-in that allows custom printing based on an exported database file. Why should you spend that kind of money on a database plug-in when InDesign comes with Data Merge? Well, there are several critical differences between the plug-ins:

First, DesignMerge merges the data during printing. Say your database contains 1,000 records, unlike Data Merge, the InDesign document doesn’t end up with a 1,000-page document; it prints a single-page document 1,000 times. More importantly, if you’re printing to a PPML supporting device, the common elements can be processed once, and only the changed data is processed per page. DesignMerge also supports multi-up layouts for gang printing, allowing users to create multiple layouts on a single page and sequence the data to each template.

Second—and perhaps the most important feature—DesignMerge supports conditional rules. Say the database contains information about a person’s gender (or other condition), the text, graphic, or entire layout can change based on the supplied data. Also included is a PostNet font for generating USPS codes and an add-in that can create retail-oriented barcodes.

Third, DesignMerge includes the CopyFit plug-in that allows text to be resized according to set rules when the database text won’t fit in the allowed space. After you connect to the database file, just insert the fields and apply any conditional rules to them. Then using the onscreen preview, you can inspect the setup of the merged data before printing.

One minor issue: The database text must be an exported (typically tab-delimited) file, as DesignMerge for InDesign doesn’t yet support direct database connectivity.

The product is not inexpensive and, although its ease of use belies its power, DesignMerge can be worth every penny.—David Creamer

PRICE: Quoted (Approx. $1,000–3,000)
FROM: Meadows Publishing Solutions
WEB: www.meadowsps.com
RATING: 4.5

LAYERS VERDICT
HOT Variable data printing by conditional rules
NOT No ODBC connectivity in InDesign version yet

Phantasm CS is a fantastic plug-in for Illustrator that comes in three versions: CS, CS Designer, and CS Studio. The CS version is basically the same as the Phantasm CS plug-in that we reviewed about 11/2 years ago. CS Designer adds the ability to create duotones and halftone effects on art (imported and native), while Phantasm CS Studio adds important prepress capabilities.

Studio’s prepress options are so important that I wonder why it took a third-party company to add the features to Illustrator (now in its 13th version). Because of space constraints, we’ll focus on the new Studio features, but I recommend a trip to the website to review the CS and Designer features (and to get a demo). Be sure to check out the new halftone feature—it’s fun to play with.

Studio adds the ability to edit embedded images in Photoshop (or another editing program) and save the changes back to the file or to extract the image completely. You can also view separations right in the original document or create a press-ready file complete with crop/registration marks and color bars. When performing the latter, a new document is created, leaving the original intact. The new document is flattened and the objects separated into process and spot-color layers. You can go a step further and split the (new) file into separate grayscale layer separations. Other useful prepress features include the ability to highlight overprinted objects and TIC (total ink coverage) areas.

My only complaint is minor: I wish the separations feature had an option to resize the artboard automatically to include the added marks and bars.
—David Creamer

PRICE: $175
FROM: Astute Graphics Limited
WEB: www.phantasmcs.com
RATING: 5

LAYERS VERDICT
HOT Adds prepress functions to Illustrator
NOT None