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PageStream Comparison

Yes, this is out of date! To be fair, we have not updated our part of the comparison. If anyone out there as a working experience with any of these or other competing products we would be happy to update it!

Document Construction	PageStream 4.0	XPress 3.3	PageMaker 6.5	ReadySetGo 7
Maximum number of open documents	unlimited	25	unlimited	unlimited?
Maximum number of document views	unlimited	1	1	1
Maximum document size (in pages)	unlimited	2000	999	1000
Maximum page size	2000" x 2000"	48" x 48"	42" x 42"	99" x 99"
- mix page sizes in a document
Join pages into spreads
Visual page arrangement
Maximum number of master pages	unlimited	127	256	26
- hide/edit master objects on pages	/	/	/	/
- retroactive master column changes
Automatic page numbering
Chapters
Layout Aids	PageStream 4.0	XPress 3.3	PageMaker 6.5	ReadySetGo 7
Snap-to-guides, adjustable strength	/	/	/	/
- user-defined guide color
Snap-to-drawing grid, adjustable strength	/		/
Snap-to-layout grid
Rulers / Change ruler direction	/	/	/	/
- adjustable zero point / ruler offset	/	/	/	/
Number of measurement system options	11	7	6	5
- precision	0.001pt	0.001pt	0.05pt	0.01pt
- do math in text boxes
- mix measurements in text boxes
Pasteboard
Layers
Text Frames	PageStream 4.0	XPress 3.3	PageMaker 6.5	ReadySetGo 7
Max number of columns in a frame	99	30	20	1
Frameless text blocks
Resize text visually by dragging
Variable-shaped text frames
Automatic text frame creation
Vertical justification
Link text frames / Show frame links	/	/	/	/
Column / Page breaks	/	/	/	/
Word Processing	PageStream 4.0	XPress 3.3	PageMaker 6.5	ReadySetGo 7
Find and change text / attributes	/	/	/	/
Copy and paste attributes
Import / Export text	/	/	/	/
- convert quotes / dashes	/	/	/	/
Maximum number of tabs	unlimited	20	40	15
- decimal tabs / custom decimal	/	/	/	/
- dot leaders / right indent tab	/	/	/	/
Show invisible characters
Smart quotes / dashes	/	/	/	/
Styles, Character / Paragraph	/	/	/	/
- next style / based on style	/	/	/
- import styles
Typography	PageStream 4.0	XPress 3.3	PageMaker 6.5	ReadySetGo 7
Type size range	1-1000pt	2-720pt	4-650pt	1-327pt
- size increments	0.001pt	0.001pt	0.1pt	0.01pt
- scale text horizontally	5-655%	25-400%	5-250%	25-250%
Number of type styles	10	10	8	7
- configurable type styles, number of	9	4	3
Text color fill/stroke	/	/	/	/
Left, right, first indent
- auto hanging indents
Paragraph spacing / rules	/	/	/	/
Widow and orphan control
Bulleted / Numbered paragraphs	/	/ ?	/ ?	/ ?
Auto / Manual kerning	/	/	/	/
Auto / Manual tracking	/	/	/	/
Tracking tables
Auto Hyphenation / Discretionary hyphens	/	/	/	/
- custom dictionary
Absolute/relative leading, increments	0.001pt	0.001pt	0.1pt	0.01pt
Automatic ligatures
Rotate/skew text, precision	0.001°	0.001°	0.001°	0.1°
- edit rotated text
Drop caps
Graphics & Illustration	PageStream 4.0	XPress 3.3	PageMaker 6.5	ReadySetGo 7
Import / Export pictures	/	/	/	/
- set frequency, angle and screen
Picture effects	9	2
Import / Export drawings	/	/	/	/
- dissolve drawings into paths & shapes
Import / Export EPS	/	/	/	/
Irregular cropping/masking
Line / Box tools	/	/	/	/
Ellipse / Arc tools	/	/	/	/
Pen / Freehand tools	/	/		/
Regular Polygon tool	/
Object / Point selection and editing	/	/	/	/
Proportional sizing constraint
Bring to front, back, forward, backward
Move / Nudge objects	/	/	/	/
Step and repeat duplication
Rotate and skew objects, precision	0.001°	0.001°	0.001°	0.1°
Merge and split paths / Convert to path	/
Group / Lock objects	/	/	/	/
Align / Distribute objects	/	/	/	/
Text wrap around objects
Anchor objects to text
Copy and paste attributes
Object styles
Line, Fill & Color	PageStream 4.0	XPress 3.3	PageMaker 6.5	ReadySetGo 7
Tint (percentage) fill precision	0.01%	0.1%	1%	0.01%
Bitmap fill styles, Preset/Editable	/			/
Gradient, radial and shape fills
Screen types (spot functions)	6	4	1	3
Line width precision	0.001pt	0.001pt	0.1pt	0.01pt
Dash styles, Preset/Editable	/	/	/	/
Caps / Joins	/
Arrowhead styles, Preset/Editable	/	/		/
Number of color models	6	8	8	4
Create process / spot colors	/	/	/	/
Object level trapping
Printing	PageStream 4.0	XPress 3.3	PageMaker 6.5	ReadySetGo 7
Tiling / Thumbnails	/	/	/	/
Color separations / Plate control	/	/	/	/
Print to file / Save pages as EPS files	/	/	/	/
Crop and registration marks
Page independence
Booklet printing (reader's spreads)
Suppress printing of selected items
Mail Merge
Scripting	PageStream 4.0	XPress 3.3	PageMaker 6.5	ReadySetGo 7
Record / edit internal scripts	/
Assign scripts to keys, buttons, menu
AppleScript, ARexx support
Miscellaneous	PageStream 4.0	XPress 3.3	PageMaker 6.5	ReadySetGo 7
Load / Save program defaults	/	/	/	/
Autosave / Autobackup	/	/
Revision control
Toolbar, customizable
Number of view magnifications	11	6	8	7
- custom magnification & zoom	/	/	/
maximum view magnification	3000%	400%	800%	800%
Report font, graphic, article usage
Undo and redo / levels	unlimited	1	1	1
Index generation
Table of contents
Table of figures / multiple catagories	/
HTML / PDF export	/		/
Image processor / Autotracer	/
Table editor
Article editor
Full online help system
Professional Manual
Street Price	PageStream 4.0	XPress 3.3	PageMaker 6.5	ReadySetGo 7
Direct Price or MacZone catalog	$249.00	$657.98	$548.98	$218.98

PageStream is a registered trademark of Grasshopper LLC. XPress is a registered trademark of Inc. ReadySetGo is a registered trademark of Esselte Pendaflex Corp. PageMaker and PostScript are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.