Advanced Character Formatting

Advanced Character Formatting

Tracking and kerning are two PageMaker options for controlling the space between characters. Kerning is helpful for fine-tuning the space between individual characters whereas tracking is useful for larger blocks of text. By adjusting the track first, you may have to do less kerning. Spacing allows you to adjust the space between individual characters, words, and lines.

Working with Tracking

Tracking refers to the space between individual characters only. Tracking adjusts the relative space between characters so that it gets tighter at larger sizes and looser at smaller sizes. PageMaker offers several tracking options from Very Loose to Very Tight. You can adjust the track for an entire paragraph, a single line, or a few characters.

Here is an example of the different types of tracking opposed to normal text:

Adjusting Tracking

1. Select the text that you want to track. 2. From the Type menu, select Expert Tracking. 3. From the submenu, select the desired choice.

Editing a track

1. From the Type menu, select Expert Tracking » Edit Tracks. The Edit tracks window appears. 2. From the Track pull-down list, select the track you wish to modify. 3. In the graph section, use the mouse to move the handles as desired. Note: Adjusting a handle to a higher point tightens the track. 4. Optional: Use the RESET button to restore the default settings. 5. Optional: To add or delete a track handle. While holding the [Alt] key, click on the track line where you would like to add/delete the handle. 6. Click Save. 7. Click Ok.

Returning to the normal track

1. Select the text that you want to track. 2. From the Type menu, select Expert Tracking. 3. From the submenu, select Normal.