Imprimatur 2.4
Note: Imprimatur Version 2.6 is available for registered users.
Imprimatur is a markup language interpreter used to publish critical edition text. It has the ability to convert formatted texts and to re-output the text as a finished Imprimatur file. It requires Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Word 95 or higher to operate. Imprimatur uses Microsoft Word to view the text, allow any final corrections and print the finished documents. Other file formats are translated by first reading them into Microsoft Word and saving them as RTF type files which Imprimatur then converts. Most major word processing formats are readable by Microsoft Word and most common formatting options are preserved.
Imprimatur has been in private use since 1991.
Program OverView
Prerequisites
MS Windows 95 or above
MS Word 95 or above
4 MegaBytes free disk space
The program supports odd and even page formatting, two series of variants,
occurrence numbering in variants, linear or contiguous citations and text below
the line (Additios). Numbering schemes include Line numbers, Paragraph numbers,
Wadding numbers and Margin references. All numbering schemes are run in the
margins. There is an editable list of words automatically italicized or
expanded in the variants. The positioning of all objects on the page can be
determined in the Page Setup options. Text below the line or the
"Additio" structure allows operation all of the above features. The
Additio structure can be used to present alternate significant readings from
other ms.
The Conversion Routine works by translating according to the following schema
- Endnotes are converted to Variants or Citations (Menu selectable)
- Footnotes are converted to Variants or Citations (Menu selectable)
- Double-Underlined Text to Wadding Numbers or Margin References (Menu selectable)
- Strikeout text is converted to Paragraph Numbers
- Centering, bolded, underlined, italicized and Small Caps text are preserved
- Tabs and tab spacing are preserved
- Font definitions can be imported and used
- Inserted special characters are preserved if the fonts are imported
- The contents of tables and textboxes are read in as normal text
- Parallel text can be run below the line using the Additio structure
- A Series 2 Variant is identified by the presence of a < as the leftmost character
- An Additio is identified as text contained within 2 sets of $$ s
- The Additio structure supports variants and citations and the numbering schemes
- Version 2.5 converts Double-indented text blocks
The Conversion function does not convert table formatting or column formatting. It ignores all graphics, OLE items, and other embedded or non-text objects.
The program works by: reading a source file, interpreting the markup codes, formatting the pages, and finally outputting the file in an RTF format. RTF, or ‘Rich Text Format’, is a Microsoft file specification for sharing files across various programs and devices. Pages are assembled by Imprimatur using frames to position objects on the page. Line numbers, Paragraph numbers, Wadding or Margin Reference Numbers are all positioned via frames. Page justification is accomplished by the addition of "leading" being added to the non-text spaces. This is used to simulate old-style manual typesetting. The various numbering schemes all reference paragraph text and for this reason their frames are anchored to the end of their respective paragraphs. Because of this fact, it is important not to alter the leading within the finished paragraphs as this will cause a misalignment between the numbering schemes and the text.
Imprimatur can output the Text; Variant and Citation sections in two separate modes, locked or unlocked. In locked mode Imprimatur turns every line into a pseudo paragraph and justifies the page left to right and top to bottom. In unlocked mode the program justifies text left to right but not top to bottom. The text behaves like normal text within Microsoft Word and the editor is responsible to ensure that the top to bottom measurements are satisfactory. The locked mode is released in the Page Setup Menu under the Line Tabs by setting the Text Line Formatting Marker to Yes. This option also causes a vertical bar | to be output at the beginning of each line. This is done as an aid to the editor who can then always determine where a line should begin and end, even if Microsoft Word has wrapped the line. In this mode, final editing occurs by the editor deleting all the vertical bars and aligning the page. This mode is sometimes used because the pages look ‘tighter’ when done this way, however, it requires that you understand how to set font spacing, kerning and leading on a line by line basis within Microsoft Word. An optional End Of Page Pointer can also be turned on to put an arrow at the bottom page margin to assist with manual vertical justification. The arrow is simply selected with the mouse and deleted when the page is complete.
The Variants have two modes of operation. In the first mode Imprimatur reads the lemma from the text and appends it, and the ] (right square bracket), to the beginning of the Variant entry in the appropriate section. In the second mode the editor is responsible for providing the properly formatted lemmata. In the first mode the program will also check for previous occurrences of the word on the same line and will append a superscripted occurrence number to the lemma if the word appears more than once. The first occurrence on a line is never identified with a number but subsequent occurrences are. The first mode is selected by using a single < left angle bracket in a source text or selecting the option from the Conversion Tab for imported texts. The left angle bracket asterisk combination <* tells Imprimatur that the editor has provided the lemmata properly formatted for the variant entry.
A page output by Imprimatur always has some blank space at the bottom of the page. This is due to the fact that Imprimatur and Microsoft Word occasional disagree about where to wrap a page. To prevent unwanted wrapping Imprimatur creates a small bit of blank space after the bottom margin. This makes no difference to the finished output but it may appear to look unusual to regular Microsoft Word users. The setting for the amount of blank space is found under the Page Length Buffer setting on the Options Tab in the Page Setup Menu.
If Import Font Definitions From Source is selected in the Page Setup Menu you must remember that the actual Font Sizes and Leadings that you require in your finished text must be set from the Font Setup Menu. To ensure consistency, Imprimatur does not import the font size or text leading information. It only uses the settings defined in the Font Setup Menu.
The shareware version is not crippled in any way outside of the fact that it
reminds you to register upon program startup. The shareware version does not
contain a complete Help File though most of the essential information is
available within it. If you are stopped by a Help menu prompting you to
register try using the index search.
Conditions & Limitations
The Shareware is not in any way covered under the normal warranty agreement. The Shareware version is to be used for evaluation purposes only in order to test the suitability of the software for your specific application. The registered version of the Help File contains more detailed information and instructions relating to the operation of the program.
We make no warranty as to the suitability of this software for use in your particular application. We do not warrant that this software will perform to your needs or expectations. It is your responsibility to determine if the software is appropriate for your particular application.
Students engaged in a course of studies are permitted to use a shareware copy of this software, and it's associated documentation, without charge, to complete texts and coursework assigned by a teacher or professor as long as the texts being rendered by the program:
1. are not submitted for remuneration of any kind,
2. That the rendered text does not comprise more than 10% of any book, magazine or collection submitted for publication.
Non-registered student users of this software are permitted to make and utilize a copy of the complete Help File from a registered Institutional Version of the program which must be registered to the institution that they are attending.
Sample Files
Important! To view these sample files in their proper finished format they must be viewed with Microsoft Word 95 or higher. Many other RTF readers do not support all the necessary features of the RTF specification.
Sample 1.
Sample1.txt is a commented source text using Imprimatur Markup Codes. The codes are explained in the comments.
Sample1.rtf is the file processed from Sample1.txt.
Sample 2.
Sample2.doc is a source text in WordPerfect 5.1 format.
Sample2.txt is the source document converted by the Program to Imprimatur Markup encoding
Sample2.rtf is the file created from the encoded markup codes
Registration:
This program may be registered by forwarding a cheque or money order for the prescribed amount to the author at the address below along with your name, address and email address. Upon receipt of the registration fee you will be emailed a Registration Code and a complete Help File.
Costs:
Personal Registration $69.00US
Institutional Registration $139.00US
Terry Dobbelsteyn
514 Earle Avenue
Saint John, N.B. E2M 2N1
Canada
Download the Program
Imprim24.zip Version 2.4 - Compressed Size: 2.6 Megabytes
Registered users will automatically receive upgrades
Differences in Version 2.6
Version 2.6 includes improvements in text importing and conversion, the layout and justification of finished pages and some minor bug fixes. Layout improvements include the ability to easily format double-indented text blocks, the addition of new command codes and the addition of a user controlled Hyphenation module. The Hyphenation module is programmed to support 'Left to Right' alphabetic structures. The finished layout of the pages has been improved by allowing 'leading' to be added to the main text area only. The 'leading' is now combined with each line and is not added as separately compressed lines as in Version 2.4. The new features together create a 'tighter' and more pleasing look in the overall page.
Version 2.7 will be released shortly
Contact & Support
Suggestions are Welcomed. Support is only provided by email. Please allow 24 hours for a response.
Email: terryad@nbnet.nb.ca
Web Page updated May 8, 2003