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TypeTalk is a regular blog on typography. Post your questions and comments by clicking on the Comments icon above. If Ilene answers your question in the blog, you’ll receive one Official Creativepro.com T-Shirt!
Convert Quark Xpress, PDF, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher or Adobe Pagemaker Files And Open Them In Adobe Indesign! Convert Quark To InDesign is a service brought to you by Mac:Intellect Ltd. Made by designers, for designers. Markzware offers a conversion service, as well as the software. InDesign can open QuarkXPress 3 and 4 files only. Newer versions use a.
Q. Is there a way to open a QuarkXPress 5, 6, or 7 document in InDesign? I can only open QuarkXPress 3.3 and 4.1 files in InDesign.
A. While this is not strictly a type question, it certainly relates to typography, especially when you’re faced with converting or recreating designed content that contains type.
InDesign on its own doesn’t recognize more recent Quark files, but there is help in the form of a great plug-in from Markzware Software called to Q2ID ($199).
Once you install the plug-in, open InDesign and go to File > Open, then navigate to and click on the QuarkXPress document you want to convert. Q2ID converts all elements, including type, images, and fonts.
I’ve never had problems with Q2ID, but for some documents, you may have to tweak the converted type slightly to make it match the original exactly. I’ve also heard of occasional discrepancies with kerning, tracking, text reflow, and the occasional missing font or two, particularly Zapf Dingbats. I suggest careful proofing after you convert.
So while Q2ID is not always a 100% guaranteed solution for every conversion problem, it is a time-saver when migrating Quark content that’s quick and easy to use.
Figure 1. Quark documents (circled in red) show up as importable elements in InDesign once you install Q2ID.
As an incentive to give this plug-in a try, Markzware will convert one document for free. If you decide you like Q2ID and want to buy the plug-in, give yourself a little present and get a free two-year subscription to InDesign Magazine along with Q2ID. Just go to this page on the Markzware site to add the free two-year subscription to your purchase.
For those of you who have to go in the other direction — that is, from InDesign to QuarkXPress — check out Markzware’s ID2Q (also $199).
If you’ve used either plug-in, feel free to share your experiences by clicking on the Comments icon.
Love type? Want to know more? Ilene Strizver conducts her acclaimed Gourmet Typography workshops internationally. For more information on attending one or bringing it to your company, organization, or school, go to her site, call The Type Studio at 203-227-5929, or email Ilene at [email protected]. Sign up for her e-newsletter at www.thetypestudio.com.
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