Introduction to Adobe FrameMaker - Page Layout, Master Pages and PDF Creation
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Page Layout FrameMaker moves beyond the capabilities of word processors in that it provides powerful page layout capabilities. Limited margin settings and headers/footers found in other tools are replaced by the drawing of frames wherever you want them on the page—possibly explaining the name FrameMaker. You can draw header, footer, and other background frames wherever you want them on the page. You can even make them turn sideways or at an angle, which is very helpful for watermarks. You also draw the typing area that you want exactly where you want it to be.
It is important for you to note that nothing related to the page layout travels with your XML. Page layout is specific to your documents while you are working within FrameMaker and is irrelevant to the XML.
NOTE This is true of both XML and HTML. Whether saving directly or using WebWorks Publisher, FrameMaker leaves its page layout behind. |
Master Pages
Assuming that you may be new to FrameMaker and need some basics on creating page layouts, this next section will briefly explore the page layout options known as master pages.
When working in a FrameMaker document, you are normally on the body pages. This is where the majority of the document content exists: the text, graphics, tables, and other items that make up the entire document flow. Behind these, in every FrameMaker file, is a set of master pages. The master pages hold the layout, including background items like headers and footers. An example master page is shown in Figure 2–4.
Figure 2–4. This is a master page.
A body page corresponding to the master page shown in Figure 2–4 can be seen in Figure 2–5.
As you can see in these figures, the body page only has the frame showing for the typing area. This is the area that can be edited to create documents. The background frames are visible on the master pages and can only be edited on the master pages. Therefore, their frames don't show on the body pages, even if their content does.
Figure 2–5. This is a body page using the master page shown in Figure 2-4.
You create text frames on the master page with one of the graphics tools—the Text Frame tool. The Text Frame tool is shown circled in Figure 2–6. Frames are created by clicking and dragging, then releasing. Upon release, an Add New Text Frame prompt appears. You can select either Background Frame or Template for Body Page Text Frame and click Set to create the frame.
Once frames are drawn on the master pages and set up as body page text frames, content may be added on the body pages. The content will fit within the created frames.
PDF Creation FrameMaker has the ability to output high quality PostScript. Because PostScript is used to create PDFs, FrameMaker creates high quality PDFs. It can create PDFs with special features like bookmarks, articles, and hypertext links.
PDF files are created using printer drivers. The printer drivers that come with Acrobat vary depending on the version, but may include PDFWriter and Acrobat Distiller (in Acrobat version 6 called Adobe PDF Printer Driver). Acrobat Distiller works with FrameMaker and creates a PostScript file that can be run through the Distiller component. PDFWriter creates PDFs directly and is best used for software packages that cannot produce PostScript. This is discussed in more detail in Chapter 5.
Figure 2–6. The Text Frame tool is circled.
 This chapter is from XML and FrameMaker, by Kay Ethier (Apress, 2004, ISBN: 159059276X). Check it out at your favorite bookstore today. Buy this book now.
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