Quark on Thursday announced that it is now shipping QuarkXPress 8, the newest major release to its flagship desktop publishing software for Mac OS X and Windows. QuarkXPress 8 costs $799. Upgrades are priced at $299, and a 60-day “test drive” demo version is available.
QuarkXPress 8, announced in May, features a new interface designed for the production of high-end page layout. The software sports built-in print, Web and Flash authoring tools, advanced typography control, and global publishing abilities.
Users can now grab, rotate and scale images in real-time using a Picture Content tool that doesn’t require them to type in numbers. Smart behavior within the Item Tool and Text Content Tool keeps you from having to switch between them. The Bézier Pen Tool has also been redefined.
New workspace enhancements include instant access to master pages and exporting to PDF, EPS, SWF and HTML using new buttons. New split-view buttons, enhanced contextual menus and customizable active pasteboards have also been added.
Other changes include a measurements palette with new clickable controls and drag-and-drop support for images stored on the desktop, Adobe Bridge, iPhoto and other applications. You can also drag and drop content from QuarkXPress to Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Word and other applications for direct editing.
System requirements call for Mac OS X 10.4 or later, G4 or better (including Intel), 1GB RAM, 1GB hard disk space and DVD-ROM drive. Internet access is required for activation.
For more information about QuarkXPress 8, please visit Macworld UK’s first look.