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Desktop Publishing

Desktop Publishing (DTP) software refers to programs used to create any type of printed publication. Words and pictures are combined into an attractive layout and the finished publication is printed to produce hardcopies (printouts) for distribution. Desktop Publishing software can be used to create:
  • Posters, birthday, invitation and business cards
  • A magazine or book
  • A newsletter promoting the school concert 
DTP programs have more powerful editing features than word processors.Extra features you would expect in a DTP program are  
  • easy use of many column layouts, such as newspaper and magazines
  • integrate text and graphics using text wrap
  • use of master page templates for consistency in multiple page documents

New document

This means to start a file from scratch - it is completely blank to begin with and you need to design the layout and arrange the multimedia elements.

Template

A template is a file that has already been created and saved. There are usually a variety of layouts and designs for you to choose from. A template saves you having to start from scratch and means you can adapt a template to your own specification so that even beginners can produce professional looking results.

Insert

This means to add one file into another file. This feature is used to add a ready typed text file, add a graphic file, add a sound clip or add a video clip onto a page that already exists.

Page Format

Formatting refers to the way the document appears - you can alter the format of a document by changing the page size, page orientation, margins etc.

Text Wrap

Formatting refers to the way the document appears - you can alter the format of a document by changing the page size, page orientation, margins etc.

Text wrap refers to positioning text around a picture that has been inserted into a document.

There are several options for text wrap.
inline the picture is placed on the same line as the text - there is no wrap round the picture
square the rectangle is created around the picture and the text fits round the rectangle
tight the text is positioned round the edges of the image, fiting close to its shape
behind the picture is placed underneath the text so that it looks like a background image
front the picture is placed on top of the text so words underneath are hidden