Differences between 7 and 8 for long books
I am considering FM 7 and 8 for producing a long book. The issue with 8 is that it requires SP2 on XP, and I can't put that on my writing system.
So that would favour 7 unless its features are noticably lacking compared to 8. Here are the book requirements, please read carefully --
* There are 4 parallel columns spread across 2 facing pages -- each column has its own text, layout, font and size, different from texts in other columns.
* All 4 columns in the spread (2 on even pages, 2 on odd pages) must retain their positions on the spread, no matter which page of the book you turn to.
* There is absolutely no left to right wrapping of columns in a parallel column layout. This means all columns flow down - even to even, and odd to odd.
* This page flow must be automatic -- I am simply NOT going to draw frames for all pages and manually link them across a 400 page book, it is absurd.
I need to know which one of 7 or 8 supports automatic wrapping of 2 columns on even pages to the next even page, and the two columns on the right odd pages to the next odd page (if you don't understand this requisite column flow, please leave it for other to reply who do -- thank you). If both FM 7 and 8 are more or less the same, that would be very helpful information too. Please give compative capabilities as it relates to parallel book columns.
BTW, another really crucial feature is being able to manually set a FIXED line height in each column -- not in point size, like InDesign does (that does not work for precise alignment) -- I should be able to specify the line height in each column in decimals of an inch. Which one can do this?
Your help on these specific questions is much appreciated. Please no discussion of FM 9. I will not be getting that version. Thanks
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