The QuarkXTensions we publish at CF Software are basic utilities that allow the QuarkXPress user to perform certain tasks more efficiently. We strive to publish XTensions that make your day-to-day operations in your publishing environment easier to accomplish, so you get your work done more quickly. (Click below to see information about each XTension, download a demo or to see an animated demo online). As of Dec. 14th, 2010, we have started updating our XTensions to QuarkXPress v8.5 and will soon be working on the updates to QXP v9.0, which is due for release in 2011. Our first XTension that we've updated is Poly Box XT, we are now working on Rounded Corners XT...
Doc Magnify XT:
Doc Magnify XT provides a small palette that allows the QuarkXPress user to increase the view magnification of their page up to 1200%. This XTension is for QuarkXPress 3.x, it does not work with QuarkXPress versions 4.x and above and will not be updated to any later version as the functionality is built into QuarkXPress.
Rounded Corners XT:
Rounded Corners XT allows the QuarkXPress user to round any corner of a rectangular text or graphic box. This XTension works with QXP version 3.x. This will be one of our first XTensions to be updated, we anticipate having it finished in January, 2011.
Print One XT:
Print One XT allows the QuarkXPress user to print one copy of their document without having to go through the print dialog box.
Poly Box XT:
Poly Box XT allows the QuarkXPress user to independently vertically re-size each column of a multi-column text box. This XTension works with QXP version 3.x. This is the first XTension we have updated to work with QuarkXPress v8.5..
Box Split XT:
Box Split XT allows the QuarkXPress user to split a text or graphic box into a series of boxes or lines. This XTension is designed to make form creation a lot easier. This XTension works with QXP version 3.x, but we will begin working on the update to later versions of QuarkXPress shortly after the first of the year (2011). As is, Box Split XT is a very useful tool, but our original goal when we started working on Box Split XT was to develop an XTension will a number of features that would help in designing simple to complex forms for the printing industry. The initial version was very functional, but lacked a number of features that we hope to implement in the newest version. With that in mind, the plan will be to update the current feature set to a functional QuarkXTension for the latest versions of QuarkXPress and then to build the feature set we ultimately would like to see. We'd love to get some feedback, so drop us a line and let us know what you'd like to see in Box Split XT.
Versioning XT:
Versioning XT gives the QuarkXPress user the ability to create multiple versions of a publication within the same QuarkXPress document. This XTension works with QXP version 3.x. Versioning XT was a concept that we had after spending time with a wholesale food company here in New Jersey. The problem is fairly complex, the solution very possibly might be somewhat simple. What we witnessed was the building of multiple versions of the same weekly store circular for different areas of the wholesalers market area. Each version was built off the base circular, but contained different products and prices depending on the market. The problem was that each version had common products, so if there were 10 versions and a price changed that was on 10 circulars, the production staff had to make the change on each version. Our thought was to build an XTension that would allow us to keep all the information in a single document, but have the ability to determine which version each product was in. For instance, if a case of Coke was sold in five of the markets for $3.99, but was at $3.75 in the other five markets, we could have the common descriptive text for the product be on all 10 versions, but the price would be different based on the version/market. What if they want to highlight cases of Pepsi in two markets instead of Coke? Then they'd change the descriptive text for those two markets (the price might be the same, or it might be different). When we want to print a version, we go to a special menu the XTension builds, select which version we want to see or print and only products identified on that version show on the screen (and therefore, print). Everything is kept in one document and mistakes made by forgetting to update a version are a thing of the past. Even using a database publishing system that automatically updates pricing, descriptions and/or graphics would work since those systems work with the same boxes Versioning XT works with. (or so we think, we'll have to do further testing to make sure that's the case). Versioning XT is a work in progress, but we believe that bringing it up to v8.5 and ultimately v9.0 of QuarkXPress will be fairly straightforward and have begun the process of mapping out the project.