Evaluating a layout

Rule Sets, Layout Specifications, and Output Specifications provide tests that can be evaluated to determine whether a layout adheres to the specifications created by the job definer. The Evaluate Layout command lets you execute those tests and determine whether (and where) any violations occur. This command also checks the layout against its layout definition, to verify medium type (Print, Web, or Interactive) and color management settings. Once violations are identified, a layout artist can decide what (if anything) to do about them.

Note: Before you attempt to evaluate a layout, make sure the project is associated with a Job Ticket that defines Rule Sets or Output Specifications for the active layout.
Note: The Evaluate Layout feature is designed to highlight layout problems and indicate where they can be fixed. However, it cannot prevent a layout artist from making changes that violate the specifications and Rules defined in a Job Ticket.

To evaluate a layout:

  1. Choose File > Job Jackets > Evaluate Layout. The Layout Evaluation dialog box displays, with applicable Rule Sets, Layout Specifications, and Output Specifications listed. To expand a Rule Set, Layout Specification, or Output Specification and see its component Rules, click the expander icon next to it.
    QuarkXpress db layout evaluation Evaluating a layout

    Use the Layout Evaluation dialog box to evaluate the active layout against Rule Sets, Layout Specifications, and Output Specifications.

  2. To edit the selected Rule, click its name and then click the Edit Rule button. Any changes to the Rule are written back to the Job Jackets file and apply to any other projects that use this Job Ticket.
  3. To indicate that a Rule should be checked, check the box next to that Rule. To indicate that all Rules in a Rule Set, Layout Specification, or Output Specification should be checked, check the box next to the name of the Rule Set, Layout Specification, or Output Specification.
  4. To evaluate the active layout against the checked Rules, click Evaluate. The Cases column is updated to show whether the document passes each Rule check.
  5. To view more detailed information about a violated Rule, click its name and then check the Instructions and Details boxes. The Instructions box shows any instructions written by the Rule creator, and the Details box provides information about the project (such as whether it has been modified since the last evaluation).
    QuarkXpress db layout evaluation failed rules Evaluating a layout

    The Layout Evaluation dialog box shows which Rules are passed and which Rules are violated.

  6. To scroll the layout to the locations where Rules are violated, click the Show Case buttons. This makes it easy to fix Rule violations.
Note: You can configure QuarkXPress to automatically evaluate each layout when the project is opened, when the project is saved, when the project is closed, and when the layout is sent to output. For more information, see ”Job Jackets preferences.”
Parent topic: Job Jackets

Evaluating a layout