Getting started with MasterPlan

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

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Introduction.

What is MasterPlan?

  • MasterPlan can take any InDesign document, PDF or EPUB file and securely present them as live searchable online publications
  • 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
  • Text-based publications are presented in a fully featured ebook reader

See an example MasterPlan here on the MasterPlan product page.

An example MasterPlan for a visual publication
An example MasterPlan for a text-based publication

The two components of MasterPlan

MasterPlan is a web-based service that consists of two components working together.

MasterPlan Online controls the management, access and display of publications on the web.

MasterPlan Desktop can be used to link InDesign files with MasterPlan Online.

The two modes of MasterPlan

Whilst a publication is being created and worked upon, MasterPlan can be used to share this work in progress in WORK Mode.

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

Introduction to MasterPlan
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Step 1.

Registering with Circular Software.

  • Sign up on the Circular Software site to access MasterPlan Online
  • InDesign users may also download the MasterPlan Desktop 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.

Sign up to become:

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.

Sign up as a Circular Software member
Circular Software Members and Users
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Step 2.

Associating with a Client.

  • New users of MasterPlan 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

To set up a new client account please contact us.

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

The User Page is created when a user registers in Step 1.

User Pages
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Step 3.

Downloading & Launching.

  • InDesign users may also need to download the MasterPlan Desktop app to link their InDesign work to MasterPlan Online

The MasterPlan Desktop app is free to use and can be downloaded directly from the MasterPlan 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 MasterPlan app to your Mac before launching. MasterPlan 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.

To link the MasterPlan Desktop app to a client, the Client Number needs to be specified in MasterPlan Set-up menu > Add or Switch Client Number.

Downloading MasterPlan
Granting permissions
Connecting MasterPlan to a client
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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 MasterPlan Desktop 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.

User Pages
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Next steps.

    Go to the next MasterPlan tutorial – Sharing InDesign work-in-progress online