The ability to control a picture's appearance in several areas. For example if you want to make a specific part of an image transparent, simply
specifying the part using the clipping paths, the alpha channel that is embedded in the original picture, or the white area of the image. It can also read clipping paths in either TIFF or EPS format. Trapping tools and
supports most popular color spaces, including Hexachrome, are also included.QuarkXPress's new text-path option lets you create graphics like this logo without recourse to a drawing program. You make a text path
using one of four new tools, depending on whether you want a straight path or one described by Bizier curves. Once created, a text path becomes a kind of hybrid item -- half text, half line. This approach is a little
different from that used by Illustrator or FreeHand, but it is consistent with QuarkXPress's interface; and once you understand how it works, text paths are extremely easy to work with.
In addition to providing the
ability to adjust text, Xpress allows editing of kerning tables and tracking values. These advanced text tools allow lines of text moving along a path or flowing inside/outside containers for both imported words and
pictures.
The weaknesses of QuarkXpress occur in three main areas. Firstly it still does not offer any form of Layering. This weakness makes it difficult to organize a complex layout. Adobe, by comparison, had
added this feature to their recent releases. Secondly, the ability to generate Tables is lacking which forces users to resort to tab settings. Lastly, and most serious, is the total lack of support for any kind of HTML
output.
To a certain extent the first two omissions could be overlooked in light of superb new features. Sadly, Quark Xpress has let its users down by disallowing them to integrate this otherwise excellent product
with online publication. This single omission will dissuade newcomers from considering buying Xpress, or shifting from PageMaker, due to the importance that web publication now holds. Both web developers and DTP
designers will find this omission hard to overlook.
Those users who wish to create a document for both print and electronic publications are forced to pay extra cash or consider moving to PageMaker. Trying to adjust
this imbalance, Quark recently announced that they had signed a licensing agreement with Adobe. However users will have to wait for an Acrobat PDF import/export filter as the 4.0 doesn't offer one.
QuarkImmedia, a
standalone program, does offer electronic document formating, though it is currently only available for the MacOS. Current users can complete their core feature set with third-party Xtensions, such as Astrobyte's
BeyondPress and HexMac's HexWeb which can generate HTML code from QuarkXPress publications.
An additional conflict of interest however arises as a result of QuarkXPress 4.0 been totally rewritten in 32-bit code. Due
to this the Windows version of older XTensions that were written for version 3.x now have to be upgraded i.e. more money has to be spent if one chooses Xpress with Internet development in mind.
Although QuarkXPress
4.0 is a major improvement to an already excellent desktop publishing tool, the lack of Web support will come as major disappointment to users who need to transfer their designs to the Internet. We hope Quark addresses
this problem before the world's slickest print-publishing tool pushed too far out of the mainstream.
QuarkXPress 4.0 List Price: $995, $298 for an upgrade from version 3.3, $1,795 for the Passport multilingual
version. Requires: 486 or faster processor, Windows 95, Windows NT 3.51 or later, 12MB RAM. Quark Inc., Denver; 307-772-7100; fax, 307-772-7123; www.quark.com.
