A Lowly Apprentice Production, Inc. (ALAP) has released an update of its ImagePort program, an Adobe Photoshop import XTension for QuarkXPress. The update resolves some known issues in previous versions.
Generally, Photoshop images containing layers must be “flattened,” or stripped of all layering information before they can be imported into a QuarkXPress layout. ImagePort eliminates the need to “flatten” an image, however, by retaining full control of layers, channels and paths once the image is imported into the QuarkXPress document. ImagePort even allows the user to manipulate layers, channels and paths. Layers can be turned on and off, and the user has full control over layer opacity and blending mode. Channels also can be turned on and off, or designated to print as any QuarkXPress color. Paths can be designated for use as a clipping path or for text runaround. ImagePort now includes support for Adjustment Layers; its ImagePort palette provides familiar controls to give the user full access to layers as well as channels and paths in a Photoshop image.
ImagePort 1.4 is available for Apple Macintosh PowerPC System 8.6 or later including Mac OS X, using QuarkXPress 4.1 or later, and Microsoft Windows 98 or later using QuarkXPress 4.1 or later. Price: $99.99; upgrades from version 1.x to 1.4 are $29.99 and upgrades from version 1.3.x to 1.4 are available free of charge. (ALAP: www.alap.com)