InDesign | Math Graphics | A Better Way?

[Joe-New-to-ID]

I created a math-related book (now published) in InDesign where the cover and back cover are peppered with some relatively-sophisticated, intentionally-faint math graphics (see the attachment). The math graphics were generated via MS-Word (for "Equation") and/or MS-PowerPoint (for lines, circles, etc.) and subsequently JPEG'd for placement into InDesign (MS-Word/PowerPoint > Equation > JPEG > InDesign > File > Place...). The only problem I'm having is that the print quality (from the vendor) of the math graphics is inconsistent; one set of math graphics is clearer than another.

Is there a better way to do this? Where else can I generate professional-looking math graphics, as one would see in a calculus textbook, for example, for InDesign incorporation so as to achieve more consistent print quality and clarity?

[Derek Cross]

Try this: experiment with the size of the equations in Word, if the ones you placed originally were in say 12pt, reset them in 36pt,  save them as a PDF and Place that in your InDesign document reducing the size to suit.

[Joe-New-to-ID]

Derek:

I'll give it a try. Thank you.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

How are you extracting the graphics? JPEG is the worst format for this type of art--you should use PNG. 

You can either make the equation larger and save as HTML, or you can zoom in and do a screen capture--either should default to PNG.

If you want the best results, google "InDesign math plugins". I've used Math+Magic in the past. 

[Joe-New-to-ID · Accepted solution]

Dave:

I've watched a number of YouTube videos based on your suggestion. Additionally, I never thought of PNG files. I'll give these a try. Thank you.

[Barb Binder]

Or save as Adobe PDF and place that file. 

~Barb

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Except the PDF is of the entire page and not just the graphic. The HTML would make a two PNGs: one cropped to the graphic and one with a transparent background.. Granted, one could crop the PDF or gang them all up on a few pages and place/crop in ID, but that's a lot more work.

[Joe-New-to-ID]

Barb:

Thank you. This is something to consider and gives me some ideas.

[Engineering_textbook]

Too late for original poster, but I use "Math Magic" despite the silly name it has key features for professional looking equations with an easier interface than Microsoift equation.

• The files can be saved as vector format or raster format. 
• If saving as a scalar (jpg, png) the vector info is embedded -so you can pull the jpg or png into Math Magic and it will edit it -because the vector info (only a few kb or less) is imbedded!
• You can make you equations look like those in engineering and mathbooks. Microsoft is especially bad at spacing, subscripts and superscripts.
• Becuase you are saving as a file -there is no cut and past, insert as you would a grahic. The font size is retained.
• Windows handles WMF (windows metafiles) very well if you want to rescale. Personally, I avoid vector for text formats becasue vector can be (and is) sometimes misinterpreted by other programs. Looks good until a parenthesis goes backwark or small.
• If you save the files as jpg, you will be able to see the equations in file explorer -easy then to find for fuiture use.
• If you want the equation to be larger, open it in Math Magic, export to WMF if putting into Windws Office prgram, and it will be rescalable. Any misreading of the vector, then change the font size in the style options of Math Magic and resave in different format with different name.

 I spent years trying different math editors and this one is the best for usability, output to different formats, ease of editing the jpg, and being able to see athe equations in file manager for easy reuse.  With Microsfots editor, I used to get stuck when doing something out of order and have to start over -not a problem with Math Magic. I can save styles for varaibles, vectors, text, etc.  I can resize and change the offsets of subscripts and superscripts. Learning curve was nearly zero. Clear menus. Interface similar to Microsoft and Math Type but way more flexible and much more useful output. It can also save as png, but I've not seen the need for it.

By the way, cut and paste limits the resolution to your screen resolution, which creates problems when enlarging on your screen. I prefer to avoid resizing illustrations in any thing other than the software that created them. this keeps font size, line widths consistent. Graphic artists would always ask me what I wanted the final size to be. -that's two of four reasons why. 

[Engineering_textbook]

Shame I can't see how to edit after posting. Hard to spell check in the little box. I guess I'll need to write and edit in word,. then cut and past for posts.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Microsoft Editor works in most browsers. 

I think after you post for a while, you gain the ability to edit your posts (but not delete). 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Engineering_textbook 

Yes, @Dave Creamer of IDEAS is right - you need to make a few posts to be able to edit - probably even the first ones.

But MathMagic has its own problems - like bad conversion of some characters. 

[Engineering_textbook]

Thanks for the heads-up. I've not encountered any problems yet, so good to be aware. Do you recall which characters? What format were you converting to? On Apple or PC? Unless I make the jump to LaTex, I've decided to avoid vector formats for equations. The old jpg or the newer png have been the only consistent WYSIWYG I've found for equations. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Engineering_textbook

I've been part of a project for a big publishing company - I've created a few macros and scripts for InDesign to convert Equations from WORD for import into InDesign - for example, conversion of equations into MathML format so MathMagic would convert them better into Equations in the InDesign - the list of "wrong" characters is quite long...

[Engineering_textbook]

Converting equations from Word to MathML into MathMagic into what for Indesign? That certainly can't be easy. I'm guessing you have to convert the author's work and due to the sheer volume trying to avoid recreating the equations using Tex or Latex. What file format for the equations are you using for insertion into Indesign?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Engineering_textbook

Right now - after I've cracked a way to get equations from WORD into InDesign as native objects - I have 3x methods: 

• Export from WORD using MathType - equations are as EPS files, 
• Export from WORD into an intermediate format - then using MathMagic in InDesign - conversion to EPS files,
• Export from WORD into intermediate format - then conversion in InDesign to native equations in InDesign. 

Of course, if you would need to edit those equations after getting them into InDesign - it can also be automated - depends on what kind of edits you would've to do. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

An example of the 3rd method: 

 

The only problem in this case is lack of baseline shift info - so user would've to reposition equations manually - but my IDT can speed it up significantly.

I'm working on analysing structure of the equations and calculating shift myself. 

Not sure if I'll be able to do it perfectly - but it should be close. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Here is link to a thread that shows how navigation through the equations would look like: 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/find-replace-manually-typed-numbered-lists-with-... 

Two small Tasks - one shifting equation up, second down - with keyboard shortcuts applied - and you can forget about the mouse 😄 

Even free version of IDT can be used for shifting equations vertically. Bulk conversion of equations would require paid version.

But as IDT can be bought just for a week or month - PAYG model, no long term subscription ... 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I'm working on analysing structure of the equations and calculating shift myself. 

Not sure if I'll be able to do it perfectly - but it should be close. 

Or there are other ways to skin the proverbial cat 😉