New FrameMaker documents have default Master Pages. Single-sided documents have one, called "Right," and double-sided documents have two, called "Left" and "Right."
We use these pages to place the objects we want to repeat on all the Body Pages, things like our running heads, page numbers and repeating graphics.
But what do you do when you need a different look for a Body Page, on a repeating basis? For example, no page number on the opening page of each chapter? You set up a custom master page. Here's how:
- Choose View > Master Pages.
- Choose Special > Add Master Page.
- Select which master you'd like to base the new one on, and give it a logical name.
- Make any changes that you like to the new master (i.e., remove the page number for the opening page), and return to Body page 1 by choosing View > Body Pages.
Did that work? No! FrameMaker is very powerful, but still can't read your mind. If you are going to create custom master pages, you will also have the obligation to apply them to the Body pages. Here's the easiest way:
- Choose Format > Page Layout > Master Page Usage.
- Select your custom master from the drop down list at the top, and the page range from the bottom, and click Apply.
There you go. You are allowed 100 master pages in a single FrameMaker document, so you can make as many as necessary. I usually create one for the opening page of my chapters, one for the "This page intentionally left blank." pages, and one each for left and right Landscape pages in my portrait documents.
Tune in next week for automating the custom master page application!
If you are new to FrameMaker and need some training, I've got an instructor-led, online Introduction to Adobe FrameMaker 9 class coming up December 2-3, 2009. Looking for advanced FrameMaker training? Click here to see our upcoming Adobe FrameMaker 9 Advanced dates. Looking for other online classes? Click here.
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.