Getting started with MasterPlan

An introduction to MasterPlan components and the steps to follow to get started.

Introduction.

What is MasterPlan?

MasterPlan is as an online collection of publications, viewable as covers, thumbnails or full screen high resolution pages of entire publications
Any InDesign document, PDF or EPUB can be securely presented as a live, searchable online publication
These secure, high-quality previews have a range of benefits for sales, marketing, design, editorial, production and more

MasterPlan handles many different types of publication, from fully illustrated titles to more text based books and audiobooks.

Illustrated publications are displayed as a series of clickable thumbnails linking to high resolution spreads.

See an example of a MasterPlan here on the MasterPlan product page.

An example MasterPlan for a visual publication

Text-based publications are presented in a fully featured ebook reader

An example MasterPlan for a text-based publication

MasterPlan is a web-based service to control the management, access and display of publications online which can handle PDF, EPUB and Audiobook publications.

Using InDesign files with MasterPlan

GreenLight users can use MasterPlan in WORK mode to link work in progress InDesign files to MasterPlan and update their changing spreads as often as they choose.

This builds a shareable living flatplan of content to reflect the current state of a publication in real time as it develops.

Multiple people working on different sections at the same time can update the same MasterPlan.

Once a publication is completed, it can be switched to MasterPlan's LIVE mode to present and share it on approved websites.

Search, filter and manage publications, users and more with MasterPlan

MasterPlan from Circular Software is simple yet powerful software that connects everyone involved in creating, producing and distributing your illustrated publications.

MasterPlan

Allows authors, creatives and production coworkers as well as marketing and sales staff to see and securely share a single page overview of a publication then also open a retina quality, up-to-date view of every spread of every title as they evolve and are produced.

New MasterPlan jobs can easily be created from any PDF or EPUB.

Updating MasterPlan from InDesign

Users can automatically update the MasterPlan pages whilst they work in InDesign through GreenLight.

Client Page‍

The Client Page is a top level view of all jobs that can be viewed directly in any modern browser. From this one page you see the title, job info, cover image and status of all the spreads within the publication.

Job Page

In WORK mode, the Job Page is a living flatplan that shows spread status count and an up-to-date thumbnail view of all spreads for a MasterPlan WORK job. Hovering or tapping on a spread thumbnail shows information on when the spread was last updated and a button to Viewing & Commenting.

In LIVE mode, the Job Page shows a thumbnail preview of every spread in the publication available publicly or to the current logged-in user.

Spread Statuses

Each spread of a MasterPlan WORK job has a colour coded status applied. Use your own agreed statuses to indicate the position of your spread in your workflow such as “Text Editing” or “Proofed”.

Status bars are shown at the top right of the MasterPlan WORK Job Page, and also on the Client Page, showing the status name, colour and a total and percentage of spreads that have that status for the job.

Spread Thumbnails

Retina quality thumbnails for each spread are displayed on the Job Page. The spread number is shown in bottom left corner of each spread. In WORK mode, other quick visual information is also added. A coloured line on the left of the thumbnail indicates its status.

Spread Info

In WORK mode, hovering over a thumbnail in the Job Page (or tapping on a touch screen device) reveals more information about that spread.

Job Admin

Job Admin Users can specify Publication and Viewer Type, control access and sharing options for the publication, create and add cover files, enable watermarking and more.

Client Admin

Client Admin Users can manage jobs and users centrally in the admin area of MasterPlan Online.

Clients can easily invite new users, including freelancers, to join them in MasterPlan without the end user needing to arrange their own subscription.

Client Admin users also have extra power to manage users, choose who can view and comment, alter status labels, create Embed Codes and more.

Step 1.

Registering with Circular Software.

Sign up on the Circular Software site to access MasterPlan
InDesign users may also download the GreenLight Mac app

If you haven’t already signed up, click the Log in button at the top right of this page to register on the Circular Software site.

Circular Software Member

Members can search our site, browse our full Knowledge Base and download our desktop apps.

Circular Software User

Members can also become Circular Software Users to see information on available updates, access step-by-step tutorials and chat with us directly from their User Page.

Step 2.

Downloading & Launching.

InDesign users may also need to download the GreenLight app to link their InDesign work to MasterPlan

The GreenLight app can be downloaded directly from the GreenLight product page or a user's Client Page.

Need help finding a Client Page? Ask your publisher contact or ask us!

Once downloaded, simply drag the GreenLight app to your Mac before launching. GreenLight can run from any location but adding to an Applications folder is typical.

On first launch it will need to be granted permission to talk to and control other applications.

Step 3.

Connecting to a Client.

GreenLight Custom users automatically link to their MasterPlan client
GreenLight users are automatically linked to a public trial account to allow them to try out and explore the service in a limited way
Linking to a specific client account gives access to all MasterPlan features and limits access to publications as required

GreenLight Custom automatically link to their MasterPlan client

We assign each client a Client Number and a Client Admin User who can invite others to use MasterPlan and work with their client.

Clients are identified with their four digit Client Number.

Registered users can access MasterPlan Online via their browser at masterplan.circularsoftware.com/Client[client number here] or from the Go to MasterPlan Online button on the User Page‍

New clients wishing to set up a new account should please contact us.

Step 4.

‍User page and ID.

On launching a unique ID number is allocated to you based on your Mac hardware
This ID identifies Circular Software users and links to your individual user page

Each User of Circular Software has a unique Circular Software ID number which associates them with their Mac.

On every launch of GreenLight this Circular Software ID number, along with system info including the exact versions of Circular Software, Adobe InDesign and macOS, is updated.

As a Circular Software User you have access to your Circular Software User Page, where you can access your version info, edit your account info and find links to updates and our growing list of step-by-step tutorials.

A link to your User Page is shown in the top navigation bar when logged in to the Circular Software site and from the Help menu of any Circular Software dekstop app.