I think the idea behind iCalamus is great, the software looks good, works well, and is user-friendly, but there’s little to convince that you would need iCalamus instead of immediately taking the plunge and buy InDesign or QuarkXPress instead. However, is that enough to buy the application? I really don’t know. There is also a very nice and easy to use vector path / masking feature. With a bit of creativity, you can make text flows that have odd shapes, and it’s all well designed in interface terms. After a bit of experimenting, I found this feature to be a very nice addition that you don’t get in Pages ‘08. For example, you can create shapes that hold text. Now on the bright side of things, iCalamus does offer more flexibility than Pages ‘08 in terms of design capabilities. No RTF in the list, no way to get your text out of iCalamus. The reason is stated on the iCalamus web site: “Honestly: What do you expect for 129 EUR? – You can save documents from these programs as PDF or in the usual exchange formats for text, images and vector graphics and import or place them in iCalamus.”Įxport capabilities are skinny too, with PDF and half a dozen image formats as the only formats supported. There is no support for importing documents from InDesign, QuarkXpress or an older layout application. iCalamus comes with a Help file that has all the basics covered, but doesn’t explain you - for example - how to create type on a path (I found out you can’t). Even better: Pages comes with a full-blown PDF-format, printable manual, explaining all the features and how to create your own templates. My answer is that you don’t need iCalamus if you are only going to create very simple layout designs - not too flashy business cards, letter heads, basic brochures. That raises a problem: why would you buy iCalamus at 129 Euros if you can spend that amount and get the whole iWork ‘08 suite, including Pages, with which you can create layouts just as well? You can expect a well written application that allows you to create layouts as you would in QuarkXPress and Indesign, but with a lot less functionality. And to be honest, the developer is very clear about that. Well, I have bad news for you, iCalamus costs 129 Euros, but it is far from a replacement for InDesign nor QuarkXPress. How would you like it if a developer created an application that could compete with QuarkXPress 7 and InDesign CS3? And all for 129 Euros? I bet you would be running to the store to be the first to buy that software. The rich online help can be read also at. ICalamus requires Mac OS X 10.4.5 or later and is shipped as a Universal Binary in single language versions or as a complete bundle with the languages English, German, French, Danish, Dutch and Czech on CD or via download. Optionally output documents in various PDF formats (e.g. Print output uses all printers which are supported by Mac OS X. Use virtual copies for multiple document elements and change them afterwards with a few mouse clicks. Working in precise measurement units is the other side of the iCalamus world. Grab text content from large PDF documents easily for further text processing.Įlaborated masking options and many predefined, partly dynamically changeable frame shapes offer freedom for creativity. Images from digital camera,s scanners or iPhoto libraries can be imported as well as whole web page content and PDF documents. You can import all image and text formats which are supported by Mac OS X into iCalamus documents. iCalamus has been developed in Objective C with intensive usage of Apple's Cocoa library. Therefore invers Software will create an Open Development Area (ODA) and publish the plug-in interface. ICalamus is a modular program which will grow in future by external modules, even from third-party developers. Its practical tools offer all options for your own creative and productive layout work. iCalamus doesn't limit your layout freedom by offering prepared layouts. The reasoned user interface with its low learning curve guarantees for fast success. ICalamus is an excellent choice for all layout purposes from simple posters and business letters over complex layouted magazines up to books and scientific works.Ĭomplete Unicode support and the smart PDF import offer easy access to creating and layout work. ICalamus was created for Mac and hasn't much relationship to its cousin, Calamus SL, the well-known DTP program for Windows and Atari, but the name is similar. The DTP program can be used lightly as a feather and offers newbies and pros in Desktop Publishing all kinds of freedom to publish your ideas. ICalamus is the new publisher for Mac OS X, presented by invers Software from Loeningen, Germany.
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