I need to convert P65 files from the 90s

Report · Dec 17, 2024

Stop me if you've heard this one before!

I need to convert 30 or so Pagemaker files. (Actually just need them exported as TIFs or JPGs - don't need to edit them.)

I've tried converting with numerous online file converters - but the fonts are always messed up, ruining the whole design.

Maybe that will always be the case? Or would they render perfectly with Indesign CSx?

Anyone running a verson of CS who could help please?

I've attached an example - with the .P65 extension changed to .doc

BTW... bearly bought 2nd-hand from eBay earlier, then read about Adobe stopping activation. Eek.

I'm a CC PS/LR subscriber, FWIW.

Report · Dec 17, 2024

As you already know, only InDesign CS6 and earlier can convert PM files but the conversions will range from very good to practically unusable. There's no way to know without opening them.

Good luck. There're still lots of folks around here running CS versions so hopefully someone will be along to help you out.

Report · Dec 17, 2024

I have an offer of help. Thanks.

Report · Dec 17, 2024

I have an offer of help. Thanks.

By @warrench

If you still need help - just let me know.

Report · Dec 17, 2024

@warrench :

If you need someone else to look at it, I am also available.

I look at these projects differently; The best approach for what you want to accomplish is to simply restore the PM files as they are instead of worrying about converting them to ID. This allows one to make a PDF as accurately as possible to the original layout (assuming fonts are available and linked graphics are accounted for), and from that PDF you can export TIF or JPG, or simply open that PDF in Photoshop and render them there. Of course, you need PageMaker for that (which I have)

You can, of course, convert them to ID for future use, however, but you will have scads of reflow issues depending on the complexity of the original file. This is unanvoidable unless you have the simplest file ever.

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This can be done with the Batch resave PageMaker files script.
If converted files lack fonts, you can replace them with this script. Your example file only uses Arial, so I had to make a few manual tweaks to fit the text. The image is embedded, so there is no problem with it.

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"The image is embedded, so there is no problem with it."

PM embedded graphics do not convert intact to InDesign. What you get is the preview of the file when it was imported and that is incumbent on the quality of the preview that was originally attached to the file, especially with vector formats like EPS. In this particular file, the Ball graphic wasn't much higher resolution than its preview (150 vs 96), so what you got wasn't much different, but it is lower quality. Something to watch for, anyway.

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Huge thanks for your input, guys. I have this sorted now.

Funny how years fly by and you don't consider these problems until you need something.

I have a lot of memories archived digitally. Some on Zip discs. *shudder*

Is there a website dedicated to converting old files? There should be.

Thanks again for the steer. Happy holidays.

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"Is there a website dedicated to converting old files? There should be."

No. Unfortunately, despite being long discontinued, the PageMaker format is still proprietary, so any conversion utility would need to approach Adobe to create converters. Markzware USED to have plugins to convert PM files, but haven't for sometime. Even for them, I suspect the potential user base doesn't support the likely cost involved. Any of the "online" sites that purport to convert PM files are pretty much BS. Even the open source converters used by programs like LibreOffice and Scribus are rudimentary at best and really can only snatch the text out of the files.

The big question is, why Adobe didn't continue its own ability to convert PM to ID when, even now, it can still convert (albeit very old) Quark files.