One strength of Adobe’s new InDesign software is its extensibility. Even many built-in features, such as toolbars and import/export functions, are implemented as InDesign plug-ins. So it shouldn’t be surprising that a host of software developers have lined up to announce plug-ins for the new program. Others have announced that they will use InDesign as a page-layout engine for integrated production systems aimed at magazine and newspaper publishers. Most of these products are scheduled to ship shortly after InDesign is released this summer.
Among them:
Mapsoft ( http://www.mapsoft.com ), which developed the Create PDF and Save for Service Provider plug-ins for Adobe PageMaker, announced Sherpa for Adobe InDesign, a plug-in that permits creation of Adobe Acrobat PDF files that include links, bookmarks, forms, action handlers, and other interactive features.
PowrTools ( http://www.powrtools.com ), a new company, unveiled PowrTable, which allows publishers to embed text tables in InDesign documents. The plug-in offers kerning and leading features along with support for spot and process color libraries. The company says that the table editor will be the first product in a suite of InDesign utilities.
ShadeTree Marketing ( http://www.bordersguys.com ), which has developed add-ons for QuarkXPress and Adobe PageMaker, says it will offer an InDesign version of Fraemz, a program that lets you apply one of 404 high-resolution borders to text and picture boxes in InDesign documents. The program also features a drop shadow function.
Virginia Systems ( http://www.virginiasystems.com ) announced an InDesign version of Sonar Bookends, a $195 indexing utility. You can index books that span multiple documents, automatically reverse first and last names, and sort single- or multi-level word lists.
LizardTech ( http://www.lizardtech.com ) announced that it will offer an InDesign plug-in that lets you compress image files using the company’s Multiresolution Seamless Image Database (MrSID) format. LizardTech will offer the plug-in as part of a suite of publishing tools and says it will also be included in the InDesign package.
EnFocus ( http://www.enfocus.com ) says it will offer EnFocus PDF Check-Up for InDesign, a $150 preflighting program that inspects PDF files saved in InDesign for conditions likely to cause output problems.
Extensis ( http://www.extensis.com ) announced that its Preflight Pro preflighting software will support InDesign.
Em Software ( http://www.emsoftware.com ) announced InDesign versions of its database publishing plug-ins. InData automatically formats database or spreadsheet information for use in catalogs, directories, and other structured publications. InCatalog creates hot links between a product database and an InDesign document, so that changes in one are automatically updated in the other.
A Lowly Apprentice Production ( http://www.alap.com ) announced that it will develop InDesign versions of ShadowCaster, a QuarkXTension for generating shadow effects, and Xpert Tools, a set of page-layout productivity aids.
Three other developers of QuarkXTensions, Markzware ( http://www.markzware.com ), Vision’s Edge ( http://www.visionsedge.com ), and DK&A ( http://www.dka.com ), say they plan to offer InDesign plug-ins, but have not announced specific plans or timetables.
Several companies say they will integrate InDesign with existing publishing systems targeted at magazines and newspapers. Managing Editor ( http://www.maned.com ) will offer a plug-in that lets you use InDesign in conjunction with its MagForce suite of magazine production tools. Digital Technology International ( http://www.dtint.com ) says it will use InDesign as the page-layout engine for its multi-user newspaper publishing system. Another vendor of newspaper systems, Sii ( http://www.sii.com ), announced that it will integrate InDesign with Coyote Layout, its newspaper pagination system. Sii also plans to make InDesign the primary page-layout product in a suite of workgroup publishing tools.
Gannett Media Technologies says it will incorporate InDesign into its Celebro Advertising Solutions software suite. HexMac ( http://www.hexmac.com ) announced that it will include InDesign in the HexBase Publishing System for Web developers. Finally, Ultimate Technographics ( http://www.ultimate-tech.com ) says it will support InDesign in its full line of prepress production software, which includes tools for trapping, electronic imposition, preflighting, and workflow management.
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