What is VivaDesigner? Why is it free of charge? What does VivaDesigner offer in comparison to other layout programs? Frequently asked questions answered in detail.

What is VivaDesigner?
VivaDesigner is a professional typesetting, layout and illustration software, with which complex graphic layout documents are created quickly and comfortably. Examples here are newspapers and journals, magazines, brochures and catalogs, books and all types of printed material. VivaDesigner is the successor of the award-winning layout program "VivaPress" for Mac OS 7-9, which has been setting standards in the layout program field since 1992.

Why does VIVA offer a layout program?
With more than 130,000 customers and users, VIVA is one of the leading suppliers of software products and services. In the early 90's, VIVA already developed the layout program "VivaPress" and is the inventor of "Network Publishing". With "Network Publishing", users without knowledge of graphics can create complex documents via the Internet and from any database. These documents are produced fully automatically at a keystroke on the basis of a template with a set of rules. In some cases, our customers wish to edit these automatically created documents. For this they need a layout program. For this reason we decided to develop VivaDesigner, which is also the technical basis for our server technology.

How does VivaDesigner differ from programs such as XPress, PageMaker or InDesign?
VivaDesigner is a standard application, which doesn't need to shy from being compared with other layout programs. It offers considerably more functions than Adobe PageMaker and approx. 80-90% of the functions which XPress and InDesign have in their current versions. Further, the program offers concepts and functions that XPress and InDesign do not have. The advantages VivaDesigner offers as against XPress and InDesign are to be found on this website.

What is the Free Edition?
The "Free Edition" is a free-of-charge full version with no expiry date. Since VIVA must purchase licences for certain modules, the Free Edition does not contain dictionaries for hyphenation and spelling checks, additional color tables (e.g. from Pantone), and import and export of PDF files. VIVA gives an overview of all the functions on the webseite.

Why does VIVA offer the VivaDesigner free of charge?
VIVA makes its turnover with the "Network Publishing" server technology and not with sales of the layout program. It is not our aim to enter into competition with firms such as Adobe or Quark in this area, instead we want to offer our customers an optimum support and make a problem-free production process possible for them. With the Free Edition we offer our customers the possibility of passing on documents that have been created with VIVA Network Publishing to agencies, service bureaus and printers without extra costs arising. Thus the Free Edition gives everyone the simple possibility of creating complex print-ready documents free of charge.

When do I need which version?
For users who work frequently with VivaDesigner, we recommend the "Personal Edition", which contains additional functions. Users who make use of VivaDesigner to create their own commercial documents must in any case purchase a "Commercial Edition". Agencies, printers and service bureaus may use the Free Edition to change or print existing documents. If they create their own documents they must purchase a "Commercial Edition".

When do I need VivaDesigner?
You always need VivaDesigner when you want to create complex print-ready layout documents that will be accepted by a printer. You can of course create such documents with word processing programs such as MS-Word, but these applications have some disadvantages as opposed to layout programs. Here are just a few examples: word processing programs can generally only include screen colors (RGB) and not process colors (CMYK), which are necessary to achieve a correct print result. Also, word processing programs only offer very limited layout functions and working with large pictures is only partially possible.

How can I order the Personal Version or Commercial Version?
To order VivaDesigner, please register on the VIVA website. You can then download a Demo Commercial Edition with the corresponding licence to test the program.

As soon as the final version of the program is available, you will receive an E-Mail from VIVA with detailed information. You can already order the "Personal Edition" (Introduction price 79,00 Euro) or the "Commercial Edition" (Introduction price 199,00 Euro) at the introductory prices (valid to June 31st 2009) by sending an E-Mail to designer-feedback@viva.de. Your order will be confirmed with a temporary licence file and an invoice. After payment has been received, the licence file will be unlocked and sent to you again.

After release of the Final Version with the manual, we will set up an Online Shop, where you can buy the program.

Does the program support the new operating systems?
Yes, VivaDesigner supports both Windows Vista and MacOS X 10.5 (Leopard).

Is there really no direct import of Word texts (*.doc)?
Not right now. VivaDesigner imports *.txt- and *.rtf files into text objects. We are looking at the development of additional import filters and will provide further information about this as and when it is available.

I need the licence file. Where do I find the licence file?
You can download the current licence file at any time from the VivaDesigner Downloads page.

I'm looking for a program guide / manual
At the moment the PDF document "First Steps with VivaDesigner" is available for registered users. In the free download area you will find the manual for the predecessor, VivaPress for MacOS9, from which around 75% of the functionality has been taken over in VivaDesigner - we are working on the new manual for VivaDesigner which will be available when the program goes on release.

What is the situation with "Transparency"?
VivaDesigner recognises the transparency of:
a. TIFF images, that have been given a transparency path in a program such as Adobe Photoshop
b. PDF files, that have been created as vector graphics
c. Vector EPS files, that have been created in a vector graphics program such as Adobe Illustrator
d. Photoshop EPS files, that are exported as transparent (the preview of the image is not transparent)
e. Transparent PNG images.

Is there no version for MacOS 10.3 ?
Unfortunately we had to discontinue the version for 10.3. The background lies in certain system functions, that are unfortunately defective but work properly on 10.4. Unfortunately our application is dependant on these Apple functions, and we therefore see no possibility of creating a Workaround.

Is there a table function and/or an Import-filter for Excel?
We have developed a table AddIn for Version 6 which will allow the creation of table objects. We are looking at the possibility of developing an Excel Import Filter as well, but can not at this point make any definite statement as to when this might be available.

What is the situation with Spell Check in several languages?
VivaDesigner is the first layout program world-wide to support the Duden hyphenation and grammar dictionaries. The chargeable versions of the program are supplied with Duden dictionaries for German, English, French, Italian and Spanish. Further dictionaries and Thesaurus modules may be supplied on request.

Is there a classroom licence for schools?
Yes. The Free Edition is available free of charge to all. If you require a chargeble licence for your school class, we offer a classroom licence for up to 25 workstations. To receive a quotation, please send an E-Mail enquiry to dsigner-feedback@viva.de.

Is there a Viva Forum?
Not yet, a forum will be set up when we release the final version.

Can you import or open InDesign documents?
No, not in Version 5.1. We are looking at the possibility of developing an InDesign import filter for a future version, but can not at this point make any definite statement as to when this might be available.

Do you have footnote management?
Not in Version 5.1. Footnote management is in development and is anticipated for Version 6.0.

I can't open the license file.
Please don't try to open the license file! Install and start the program. Theprogram ?Viva-KeyUpdater? will open and ask you for the license file. Follow the simple instructions. when you have completed the procedure the program will start automatically.

Can you import and export XML?
We offer our customers an optional XML module. With this module documents in XML format can be opened and saved.

When I create a new document, I see a gray surface and can't access my document. what do I do?
If you see a gray surface after creating a new document, the document window is probably outside the working area. This can occur if the Preferences file has been rendered defective.

To resolve the problem there are two possibilities:
1. Select the menu command "Tile Windows" or "Stack Windows" in the menu "View/Window". The document window should now appear. If not, please use the second option.

2. Quit the program and delete the Preferences file in the folder: C:\Documents and Settings\"Computer"\Application data\Viva\Viva Designer 5\Application.prefs (Windows) or "User"\Library\Preferences\Viva\Viva Designer 5\Application.prefs (MacOS X)

The Installation program on Mac OS X says: \"You cannot continue. No software available.\" What do I do?
1. Delete all Viva modules from the "Applications" folder.
2. Open the folder "Library/Receipts" on the start volume of your computer.
3. You will see a series of files that have the same icon as the Mac installer. Please delete ALL files that start with "Viva" and empty the trash basket.
4. Repeat the installation of the VIVA application.