Serif recently released the newest version of their desktop publishing program, PagePlus X4. If you’ve not been able to tell, I’ve been a huge fan of Serif ever since my husband introduced me to the software seven years ago. They were kind enough to send me a copy of their latest version for review.
I’ve been upgrading throughout the years, just purchasing PagePlus X3 earlier this year. PagePlus X4 builds upon X3’s innovative photo editing studio tools and adds even more functionality. I’ve recommended PagePlus for its intuitiveness and ease-of-use for the newbie. For years, I’ve used PagePlus as my “go-to” program for digital scrapbooking. After spending just a few minutes with PagePlus, you’ll see why. I also have Serif’s Digital Scrapbooking Artist, which is a program especially designed for the digital scrapbooking enthusiast. But PagePlus X4 focuses on providing the resources needed for any individual or business to publish newsletters, brochures, magazines, posters, flyers, and cards just to name a few!
Here are the new features for PagePlus X4:
PhotoLab: Edit images using professional tools and effects in the new PhotoLab to give your pictures the look you want without the need to open a separate photo editing program.
Review: It is so convenient to have photo-editing tools right at your fingertips without having to open (or buy!) another program! Serif has beautiful effects. Not only can you alter the properties of the photograph (changing brightness, hue, saturation, etc.) but you can apply special effects such as softening or creating an oil painting portrait. Out of all the versions, this one has the most complete photo editing studio I’ve seen.
Learning Zone: Easily accessible from the redesigned Startup Wizard where you can open templates, ‘How-To’ topics, printable tutorials, videos, and much more.
I have to admit it. I’ve a soft spot for video tutorials. Serif has increased the number and quality of their videos and tutorials. There are plenty of helpful topics such as how to create a flyer, business card, or logo. The tutorials are straightforward and easy to follow. The PDF’s are also well-written with clear instruction. And I still say that Serif’s forum has the best community around when you get stuck with a project.
Dynamic Guides: When moving objects around the page, guidelines will appear when your selection is near the top, middle, bottom, and sides of other objects, margins, and pages allowing you to layout your page neatly — and fast.
I was thrilled to see this addition. At work, my desktop is a Mac computer and within one of their programs, dynamic guides already existed. It is enormously helpful when you are trying to align objects and yes, makes the layout process so much more efficient.
Improved PDF Import: PDF Import is now more accurate and you can import cropped data to fit the current page area. Embedded Type 1 fonts are now supported as well.
True story: I created a publication with PagePlus X3 and converted it to a PDF. I was at work and realized I didn’t have my regular laptop with me. However, I had uploaded the PDF to an online storage site and could retrieve it with my newer laptop, which had PagePlus X4. I needed to edit the PDF and wasn’t sure how it would transfer into the newer program. Plus, I knew I had used images that were on my older laptop.
Well, no worries! Everything transferred perfectly with the text placement, fonts, and images. The only hitch was that I didn’t check my hyperlinks and after the small edit, re-saved it as a PDF and sent it to our contact list. It wasn’t until after I started to have some questions come in that I realized my links didn’t transfer. So be careful with your links but everything else should transfer just fine.
Anchored Objects: Keeps associated text and pictures together during editing so no matter how much you need to change the content, your text and images will always be where you want them.
I don’t work too often with this feature but it’s great to have when you need to keep a certain object connected with a particular portion of text. Great addition for those who work with newsletters and brochures.
Word and OpenOffice.org Import: You can import and edit text and pictures from Microsoft Word — including Word 2007 — even if you don’t have Word installed! The importing and editing of OpenOffice ODF documents is also supported.
This is also a great addition. Most of the world creates their documents in Word or OpenOffice. (I use OO more than anything.) Now you can import and edit those documents without having the programs.
Picture Frames and Borders: These are great for displaying photos in a document or jazzing up newsletters and brochures.
Because I’m a scrapbooker, I already have plenty of frames and borders, but it’s nice for PagePlus X4 to have a selection to choose from.
Backwards Compatibility With PagePlus X3: PagePlus X4 publications can be opened and edited using PagePlus X3 – and of course PagePlus X3 and earlier files can be opened and edited in PagePlus X4.
This will come in handy for those who work with other individuals who are using the later version of PagePlus. It’s nice to know that you can send a publication to someone who has an earlier version and they can still edit it.
Logo Studio: This is one of my favorite parts of the program. Sometimes your publication may need just a little “oomph” and a quick logo is the perfect way to add it. PagePlus X4 not only has a nice variety of logos, but they show you a few ideas of how to use them. You also can break up the group and use a portion of the logo to even further customize your publication’s appearance. You can also edit a logo’s size, color, and position as well as add special filters to make the logo have a glass, metal, plastic, or other effect.
All in all, it’s an excellent value for $99 (even less if you’re upgrading!). I use PagePlus for my scrapbooking pages at times, and also other publications. If you’re looking for a program to create brochures, newsletters, flyers, or any printed material, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better value than PagePlus X4. Check it out!
