Gluon Updates LiveEdit

CreativePro Staff

Gluon Inc., a leading provider of Web-to-Print and Dynamic Publishing solutions, announced its latest version of LiveEdit, a Flash-based web application that brings most of the features of desktop publishing online and adds its own features. LiveEdit output types include color managed PDFs, EPS, JPEG, PNG and QuarkXPress layouts. LiveEdit is used for working on existing templates, non-templates or to design-from-scratch and can operate a variety of user modes.
In additional to usual text and picture box controls, LiveEdit provides online designers the advanced controls over text wrap, opacity, drop shadows and many other design options including global color themes. Also, Gluon built in a unique interface that enables sophisticated concepts previously only available in desktop layout applications such as text kerning, baseline shift and horizontal scaling.
Designers will also enjoy the controllable grid system and the automatic snap-to smart guides for alignment between objects or relative to the page. There is also a page inspector tool for measuring distances between objects and to the page edges.
LiveEdit is highly configurable and nearly any feature can be hidden or shown via simple XML config files. Configurations range from dead simple to full-on expert mode. This includes the ability to toggle on a side form so users can customize everything from business cards to multi-page reports and brochures by simply filling in the form. At any time users can edit text and pictures by double clicking on boxes.
Image placement is done via upload or using the built in image browser which seamlessly connects to Gluon’s HyperContent image management system with server-side rasterization of all image types for thumbnails and FPO. There is even a Google Maps function that allows users to place any map precisely fitted to the targeted box. Gluon provides unique image fitting options including Auto-adjust Mode which prevents “white wings” in image boxes.
LiveEdit can even be set to Catalog Mode where dragging images from a database fills out all the image, name, price and description information instantly for that item.
Once designs are finished, LiveEdit passes control back to the browser which can then request various output formats from the resulting server file. This easily integrates into existing eCommerce or Workflow solutions.
Travis Steele, Manager of Web Development for American Stationery says, “Over the course of the last 3 years American Stationery and Gluon have formed a great partnership. Gluon has provided American Stationery with the tools necessary to meet our web to print goals. Their experience made the integration of LiveEdit into our sites a seamless process and our commitment to each other has proved fruitful for both parties.” You can see a version of LiveEdit in action at https://www.americanstationery.com.