![]() It has the capabilities of automatically flowing an entire book changing master pages in the process and using the varied layout of the different masters and their frames as templates for the layout. We are in the late stages of development of a product (which we call AutoFlow Pro) which makes extensive use of master frames (and non-master frames as well). But if you want the frames added in specific places - not fit to the margins, master frames are invaluable. I agree that InDesign does not make very good use of the potential of master frames (and master pages in general). Change a document’s size, and objects move around oddly.ĭoes anyone know tricks that minimize the disruption when a document size is changed? I ask because I’m wondering if using and then changing the master frame might prevent many of those troubles. That seems to be a major weakness with Adobe’s push to use ID to create print, Flash, and ebook outputs from one source. Changing the size of a document can wreak havoc with an ID document. Here’s a question related to master text frames. In FM, columns is a paragraph specification rather than a frame spec. Perhaps the only major FM feature ID still lacks is an ability to change the number of columns within a text frame. (Some major corporations that use FM are converting to ID, perhaps at Adobe’s leading.) Master text frames are the norm in FM, so they need to at least do something useful in ID. My suspicion is that they are preparing for the day when FrameMaker will be no more. Keep in mind that, with CS4, Adobe added a number of much needed long document features to ID. But with ID now adding and removing pages automatically to fit the text flow–a real timesaver for book layout–they make more sense. In the past, I’ve not bothered with master text frames, since they seemed to offer little. ![]() I do books that can run to hundreds of pages. ![]() If no such beast exists, ID may do something odd when it creates new text frames on new pages. If they’re set up, the new frame on a new page is a master text frame. If I remember correctly, CS4’s new ability to expand and contract the page count as text is added or removed makes use of master text frames. Does anyone out there even use this feature? I personally feel that it is a relic from the past and probably should be removed in future versions of InDesign. You can replicate its functionality by just putting text frames on your master, but if you are going to do that, why even bother with the master text frame feature. If you forget, there is no way to turn it on after the document has been created. With the advent of CS4 and smart text reflow, this is a moot point since InDesign can now add/remove pages as necessary.Īnother interesting point is that the master text frame is the only document feature that you have to setup correctly when you make a new document. The plugin required the master text frame in order to add pages as it built pages from a database. The only use that I have ever had for the master text frame was with the plug-in InData and InFlow for use in a directory. Since this is how InDesign works, it is a waste of time, in my opinion, to bother setting up the master text frame. If you don’t use the master text frame, you can still place a loaded cursor with text inside the margins on any page and it will create a text frame the size of the margins for you. If you choose this, InDesign will automatically place a text frame on the A-Master and thread it between the left and right hand pages (if you are using facing pages). What is a master text frame? As you create a new document you have the option to choose master text frame.
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