Aldus announces PageMaker 5.0 for Windows and Macintosh

NEW YORK, January 6, 1993 -- In a satellite-linked, multicity event Aldus
Corporation today announced Aldus PageMaker 5.0 in versions for both
Microsoft Windows and the Apple Macintosh. Virtually identical on the two
computing platforms, these major releases will each offer more than 100
new features and enhancements that give new publishing power to the
creative professional. PageMaker 5.0 will offer major advances in
precision and control, integration with other software and hardware, and
versatility in the wide range of printed communications it can
produce--while maintaining the familiar pasteboard-based interface that
has helped make it the world's leading desktop publishing program.

"PageMaker 5.0 will provide the accuracy and control that professional
graphic designers, writers, editors, and production specialists need to
create publications that meet the highest publishing standards--even for
the most complex multicolored print job," said David Roberts, director of
publishing products. "Many of the new features are in direct response to
customer requests for professional-level tools and controls. Their
inclusion will make version 5.0 the strongest upgrade in the product's
history."

Precision and control 

One of the top-requested features has been the ability to freely rotate
text and graphics. PageMaker 5.0 will offer rotation and skewing in
0.01-degree increments, along with horizontal and vertical reflection.
Users will also be able to edit rotated text and crop rotated graphics
directly in the page layout.

The Control palette--new in the Windows version, and significantly enhanced
for the Macintosh version--will afford precise placement and sizing of
both text and graphics on the page. For setting text and paragraph
attributes such as font, style, size, baseline shift, indents, and
alignment--the palette will now be visible in both layout and story editor
views. Numeric positioning and "nudge" buttons will facilitate easy and
precise movement of objects around the page.

Designers will be able to zoom in on and magnify any part of a page up to
800%, assign custom line weights from 0.1 to 800 points, and use the
improved Colors palette to specify separate line and fill attributes.

Aldus has completely rewritten the PostScript printing code in PageMaker
5.0, so printing speeds, including those for background printing, will be
significantly faster than before (depending on system resources and the
complexity of the file). The print dialog box has been redesigned, to
allow the printing of nonconsecutive pages, in any order--a significant
time saving. Crop, registration, and plate identification are among the
printers' marks PageMaker 5.0 will now offer.

Service bureaus and end users alike will benefit from new custom print
options. For example, it will be possible to define and save print
settings and to simultaneously send multiple files with different settings
to an output device.

Further integration with other products 

Both versions of PageMaker 5.0 will include many new or improved import and
export filters, as well as support for the industry's key software and
hardware. New filters will include Kodak Photo CD, DXF, WordPerfect
Graphics, and Metafile/PICT conversion. PageMaker will include support for
OLE (as a client application) on Windows as well as the Macintosh; the
PANOSE font mapper, which identifies a publication's missing fonts between
both Windows and Macintosh files and then substitutes other, available
fonts; and the new TWAIN standard for direct scanning.

Links-management controls have been improved to include the option to
unlink files (which first appeared in PageMaker 4.2 for the Macintosh).
And both versions will allow the user to embed EPS files in a publication
or leave them out, but still retain the link for ease of updating.

PageMaker has offered Macintosh/Windows file compatibility since 1987. With
the advent of version 5.0, product functions will be virtually identical
on either system--so much so that Aldus will provide the same set of user
manuals for both packages.

New versatility in publishing tasks 

Aldus Additions technology, introduced in PageMaker 4.2 for the Macintosh,
lets users tailor PageMaker operations to meet their specific publishing
needs--automating routine and time-consuming tasks, adding new
capabilities, or even running the program from other applications.

End users can work with the more than 20 Aldus Additions that will be
included with each version of PageMaker 5.0. They can also create their
own PageMaker scripts, while third-party developers can use the technology
to create Additions that give PageMaker new capabilities.

Common tasks addressed by in-the-box Additions include grouping objects,
sorting pages, and creating running headers and footers in long documents.
And users will be able to enhance PageMaker's typesetting precision by
using Additions for such professional typographic controls as "expert"
kerning, which automatically adjusts the spacing between characters, and
track editing.

For the first time, both versions of PageMaker will have built-in ability
to produce process-color separation of PageMaker text and graphics, as
well as imported CMYK, TIFF, DCS, and EPS images.

The number of proprietary color libraries included with the product will
increase to include such vendors as Trumatch, Focoltone, and Dainippon, in
addition to the PANTONE spot, process. and Euroscale definitions. Users
will also be able to create custom color libraries.

PageMaker is renowned for its intuitive interface and general ease of
learning and use. Version 5.0 will reinforce that tradition with the
ability to open virtually any number of publications at once. Tile and
cascade capabilities will organize the publications on screen, and such
aids as a list of all open publications will help the user navigate among
them.

Customers will also be able to "drag and drop" text and graphics between
open publications saving a significant amount of time and effort. The new
Library palette will store frequently used images, again with drag-and
drop capability.

Worldwide leadership 

PageMaker is the world leader in the market for professional page-layout
software, for both the Windows and Macintosh operating environments. As a
result, more than 30 books and training manuals about PageMaker 5.0 are
already being produced, and when the product is released, some 100
Authorized Trainers in the United States alone will offer certified
training courses for users at all levels. Meanwhile, many third-party
developers are readying a wide variety of new Aldus Additions that will
continue to extend PageMaker's professional publishing capabilities.

System recommendations 

For running on an IBM or compatible computer, Aldus PageMaker 5.0 will
require Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later and Windows 3.1-compatible
hardware. A 486- or 386-based PC is recommended, with 4MB of RAM, an 80MB
hard drive, a high-resolution graphics adaptor card, and a mouse.

On the Apple Macintosh, PageMaker is System 7 savvy. It will also run under
System 6.0.7 with Finder 6.1.7. Any Macintosh II series, Quadra, or SE/30
computer is recommended, with 5-8MB of RAM and an 80MB hard drive.

Availability, support, and pricing

Aldus PageMaker 5.0 will be available in the United States and Canada in
the first half of 1993. The Windows version will be shipped first, the
Macintosh version approximately 30 days thereafter. Aldus Europe and Aldus
Pacific Rim will announce localized language versions and support and
upgrade policies for other markets later.

With the release of version 5.0, first-time purchasers of PageMaker 5.0
will be able to take advantage of an innovative product-support program:
For 90 days from their first telephone call for technical assistance,
support will be available to them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After the
90 days, 24-hour telephone support for PageMaker 5.0 will continue to be
available to customers who subscribe to the Aldus Customer First extended
support program.

The suggested retail price of PageMaker 5.0 will be $895 (U.S.). Customers
who purchase PageMaker 4.2 (Macintosh) or 4.0 (Windows) after January 1,
1993, will be eligible to receive a free upgrade to version 5.0, once it's
available, if they return their product registration card and the dated
original proof of purchase.

Registered PageMaker users can upgrade to version 5.0 for $150 (U.S.).
Upgrades will be available directly from Aldus or from Aldus dealers.
Customers who upgraded to version 4.2 for the Macintosh can upgrade to
version 5.0 for $75 (U.S.); this special price will be available only
through Aldus. Greater discounts will apply for customers who have a
service contract with Aldus. The company will notify current customers
when shipment of the product begins. Customers can place advance credit
card orders by calling (800) 627-8880.

Aldus Corporation (NASDAQ:AIDC) creates computer software solutions that
help people throughout the world effectively communicate information and
ideas. In addition to PageMaker--the company's flagship program the Aldus
product line includes Aldus Digital Darkroom, Aldus Fetch, Aldus FreeHand,
Aldus Gallery Effects, Aldus IntelliDraw, Aldus Personal Press, Aldus
Persuasion, Aldus PhotoStyler, Aldus PrePrint, Aldus PressWise, Aldus
SuperCard, and Aldus SuperPaint. The company distributes its products
through an international network of more than 16,000 dealers and
distributors.

Aldus Corp, 411 First Ave South, Seattle, WA 98104-2871
(206) 622-5500

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