Apr 05

iWork Pages: Initial cap, drop cap, and raised cap

Mac, Tips, Tools, Writing, software 1 Comment »

As an entrepreneur and a startup that used iWord Pages exclusively to do his business, especially writing a book, it’s a matter of getting the most out of what Pages can do. In novels, you have initial caps that begin each new chapter, but there are variations called drop caps (see steps below), raised caps (just larger font size on the same line), and adjacent caps (midway between raised and drop). No matter which one you prefer, here’s a few suggestions on how to do a drop cap. However, I have found an easier way of doing drop caps in Pages.

First things, you need to know the accurate spacing and font size of your text. For instance:

  • First line = 12 point font Garamond.
  • Line spacing = 14 point (called “Exactly” by page under Inspector > Text > Line > Exactly)
  • Second line = 12 point
  • Line spacing = 14 point
  • Third line = 12 point

The total points of the lines and spacing equals 64 points (12+14+12+14+12). This will be the figure to work with to do a drop cap.

  1. Create a text box and the initial cap letter, such as a “D” and make the letter a 50 point font.
  2. Adjust the text box dimensions. Make the text box boundaries so that the letter and your text and close to touching.
  3. Place text box in first paragraph. Click on the text box and go to Inspector > Wrap > Object Placement > Inline and ensure that you have Inline selected. You’ll next need to cut and paste the text box insertion point into the first line of your paragraph, i.e. click on the text box, cut the text box, insert your cursor into the first space and line of your paragraph and then paste it there.
  4. Object Wrap. Ensure you have Inspector > Wrap > Object causes wrap at left alignment.
  5. Text fit. Make sure your text fit is at zero (“0″).
  6. Line spacing. Go to Line spacing and make it 36 point “Exactly.”
  7. Baseline shift. Go to Inspector > Text > More > Baseline shift and make the number -14 (50+14=64, the total number above).

You’re done. A well done drop cap, but you can also adjust the figures to do adjacent or raised caps too.

You can also find out other ways of doing drop caps at the iWork forum.

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Jan 19

iWork ’09 Pages Typesetting using leading, line spacing

Mac, Tips, Tools, Writing, software 3 Comments »

While writing my upcoming book “How To Start A Business: Mac Version” (Available now, click on the link to buy it) I am now at the point that while editing I need to take a look at typesetting my book, i.e. seeing how the look of the font and spacing of my text is on the pages of my book. Walton Mendelson, at 12on14.com, has done a great job of putting together his “Build Your Book” PDF of what it takes to make your book look great.

Leading (see in Wikibooks), which rhymes with heading, is the spacing between the lines of type and while most of us know about single and double (adding another complete blank line) spacing for school papers, in page layout in the publishing industry the spacing is measured in points, i.e. the size of font type is measured in points and so is line spacing. The lack of white space between lines makes it difficult for the eye to track from one line to the next, and hampers readability. Hence, adding small space between the lines.

While learning about line spacing nearly all industry lingo sometimes gets lost in application menus. However, after some digging the answer can be found.

In iWork Pages, you need to go to Inspector > Text > Line and under the space where a number is placed you’ll see a small drop down menu starting with “Single” and there you’ll begin playing with leading. You’ll need to select “Exactly” and measured in points you add a few points above your selected font size. If you select 12 sized font for your type select 14 as the line spacing or point size or 14 font size with a 16 point line spacing. Basically you’re adding two points above your font size as about average line spacing. Leading is stated as “12 on 14″ or 12/14 to describe the line spacing in font points.

After printing out a few pages of my book with single line spacing and then switching to “12 on 14″ using Garamond font for my book my wife liked the “12 on 14″ much better than the single line spacing.

There you have it, publishing layout details in Pages. One less thing to worry about, now on to more editing.

P.S. When it comes to leading, you also need to consider heading and subheads and the spacing that keeps facing pages “even” to the eye. See Basic Book Design/Headings and Subheads for  more details about the “total look” of your book.

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