PagePlus

Infobox Software
name = Serif PagePlus


caption = PagePlus SE and one of their pre-designed templates.
developer = Serif Europe
latest_release_version = X2
latest_release_date = 19th February 2007
operating_system = Microsoft Windows
genre = Desktop publishing
license = Proprietary EULA
website = [http://www.serif.com/pageplus/pageplusx2/]

PagePlus is a desktop publishing (page layout) program developed by Serif. The first version was released in 1991 as the first commercial sub-£100 DTP package for Windows. The latest release is PagePlus X2, which supports Windows Vista. X2 was one of the very first non-Microsoft applications to be awarded the full ‘Certified for Windows Vista’ logo Fact|date=August 2007.

PagePlus is primarily written in C++ using Visual Studio 2005, with a heavy dependence on the Microsoft MFC framework. The Windows GDI library was discarded early in development in favour of an in-house composition engine - supporting advanced bitmap and typeface operations. Said engine currently performs well in comparison to other GDI based products - but Microsoft's recent decision to drop accelerated bitmap functions in the forthcoming Vista implementation of GDI appears to cause widespread performance problems. Under Windows XP, the text engine supports Unicode text entry.

Whilst PagePlus is generally targeted at the "entry level" DTP user, much of the functionality present in market leading applications from companies such as Adobe Systems is present in PagePlus, such as working in the CMYK colour space. In the new X2 version Serif have added the ability to view, create, edit and publish PDF files. [ [http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/taxid;2136212749;pid;4101;pt;1 PC World - PagePlus X2 - Reviews - Software - Graphics & Publishing - Desktop Publishing ] ] Although Serif has failed to achieve much acceptance within professional circles, partly due to the notable absence of Macintosh versions of its products.

There is a free version of the software, called "PagePlus SE". It is based on an older version of the software. In order to use this software, the user must download and install the program, then get an activation code through their email in order to unlock the software. The user has access to free designs and templates to download at the site.

References

External links

* [http://www.serif.com/pageplus/pageplusx2/ Serif PagePlus X2 home page]
* [http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/PagePlus/ Serif PagePlus SE download page]