Page layout program

[Knapp]

On Tue, Mar 2, 2010 at 4:51 AM, NoOp <glgxg at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> On 02/27/2010 09:48 AM, Bill Moseley wrote:
>> I need to place images and text onto a page in a matrix (creating many
>> copies per page) and I need exact print positioning -- both width and height
>> and position on the printed page.  I need to print out a lot of copies and
>> physically place them on existing printed material, which is why I need to
>> control positioning and size carefully.
>>
>> For simple tasks I've used OpenOffice with tables before, and I've also used
>> Gimp.  Gimp works ok for a single image since I can specify the exact print
>> size when printing.  But, it's harder for me if I have a matrix or multiple
>> copies of the image on a single page.  OpenOffice Writer can specify tables
>> but, it's really more of a writing program and I end up fighting with it as
>> it tries to reformat.
>>
>> Seems I only need to do this kind of thing a few times a year -- and my kids
>> need something that's pretty easy for their school projects.  So, can't be
>> too much of a learning curve.
>>
>> So, I'm wondering if there's other favorite tools for doing simple graphic
>> and text layout that you could recommend.
>
> You've read the Writer documentation and explored frames?
>
> http://documentation.openoffice.org/
> <http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Documentation/OOo3_User_Guides>
> <http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Documentation/OOo3_User_Guides/Writer_Guide>
>
> <http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Documentation/FAQ/Writer/GraphicsFramesObjects>
>
> Also, it might be helpful to subscribe to the OOo user list:
> http://www.openoffice.org/mail_list.html

I really like Inkscape .47. At first you might think it is hard to use
but read the manual (it is quite good and easy to understand) and you
see that it is really easy to understand once you get what the tool
are doing. Your kids can learn complex programs that would make most
adults run off in tears, that is the nature of kids and computers. My
2 year old can turn on and off movies with the mouse on KDE using VLC
and my wife took a month to learn that. My 9 year old loves Blender
and Gimp.

For learning blender 3d (not what you need) I always look for tutorial
videos because it is much easier to see someone using the program
live. Some vids REALLY suck but others are great and very helpful.
This one looks good. Be sure to click hi res.
http://www.skillmotion.com/video/Inkscape_lesson_1

-- 
Douglas E Knapp

Open Source Sci-Fi mmoRPG Game project.
http://sf-journey-creations.wikispot.org/Front_Page
http://code.google.com/p/perspectiveproject/