I have a FrameMaker production job that I work on regularly where each new chapter needs to begin on the next available page (instead of the more traditional right opening page).
I set up two opening Master Pages, one for a right first page and a second one for a left first page.
I could manually apply each Master Pages as needed, but this would be a nightmare because last minute edits could shift the page count. If I didn't check each opening page of all 50+ chapters, I'd could end up with page numbers on the binding edge because the page was using the wrong Master Page.
Instead of manually applying Master Pages to layout pages, you set up Reference Pages to do the heavy lifting for you.
Here's how it works.
- Begin by setting up two opening page masters. I called mine FirstRight and FirstLeft. They are based on the default Left and Right masters, but don't have the running header and do have a more generous top margin.
- Navigate to the first Body Page in the document and make a note of the paragraph format you are using to identify the chapter title. I called mine Title.
- Choose View > Reference Pages
- Choose Format > Page Layout > Apply Master
This command invokes at least one "are you sure" alert box:
And maybe two… if you have not yet used the feature in the current publication, you'll get this alert box as well.
When you click OK, a new Reference Page called MasterPageMaps is created for you.
- Navigate to the new Reference Page (usually the last page). Here's how mine is set up:
My table is telling FrameMaker, "When you see the tag called Title, if it appears on a right page apply FirstRight, but if it is on a left page, apply FirstLeft.
The Range Indicator is set to Single which means this is a single page situation, and I must have added that comment "wow!" years ago when it actually worked.
This has totally removed me from having to worry about which Master Page is being used when on my opening pages. Whenever I update my book, I have the option to turn on the checkbox for Apply Master Pages and it takes care of itself.
Now there's more time for skiing. That's how I see it.
About the author:
Barbara Binder is the president and founder of Rocky Mountain Training. Barbara has been a trainer for nearly two decades and was recently recognized by Adobe as one of the top trainers world-wide for 2007.