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PDF: PostScript output failed

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csaft

Technical User
Dec 15, 2002
2
US
I am trying to convert a pagemaker 6.5 document to a PDF file and keep being told: Saving the PostScript output failed.

Please lt me know how to make the conversion.

cs
 
Have you tried the two step PDF creation process? First, print to file, then launch Distiller, open the postscript file, then distill. This works better than the direct 'Export to PDF' choice in PM, as you have more control over the Distiller settings.

You need a postscript printer driver for this to work - you can download a PS printer driver from the Adobe site. You don't have to actually have a real postscript printer attached to your computer, since you are 'printing to file', and for which you need a 'virtual' PS printer. When your PM file is ready to PDF, go to 'Print', select the Adobe PS printer, check the box labelled 'print to file', make sure any TIF images are set to 'normal', (not 'optimised') and OK. This will make a postscript file with the extension .ps

Then launch Distiller, open the .ps file, choose your compression settings (dependent on intended final output**) and OK. You will be asked where to save and what to name both the postscript and PDF files.

** in V5, if final output is to a desktop printer, choose either the 'Print' or 'eBook' settings. If to be sent to a commercial printer for output, choose the 'Press' setting. If for viewing on screen only, chooose the 'Screen' setting.
 
CS,
I can attest to Eggles' wise counsel. The old two-step does work better. If it still doesn't work, try the conversion on another machine, if you can. A coworker with a P4/1.6Ghz/512 MB RAM/PM 7/WIN2K could not convert a 20-page PMD document using either method. It crapped out after page 11. I used a PII/350 Mhz/128 MB RAM/PM 7/WIN98 and created the pdf using both methods! It wasn't swift, but it did the job...


Cyberboy
Every computer is like a snowflake. There are no two alike.
 
cs,

How did you make out? If Eggle's method did not help, there are other things you may need to look at. Let us know. When in doubt, deny all terms and defnitions.
 
Thank you all,
Yes the two-step methed has worked (printing to a PS printer and then distilling). It is a little frustrating that the one step method does not work though. Perhaps the upgrade to 7.01 is necessary.

thank you again,

Corey
 
Upgrade to 7.01 may or may not help you. You mentioned it 'crapped out at page 11' which leads me to believe there is a problem on that page. Check to make sure that you don't have a corrupt font in use on that page, or some bizarre sort of OLE or graphic object.

If you have anything other than TIFFs or EPS graphics that have been placed using File>PLace, that is likely the cause. If you have tables from Word or Excell, again, the probable culprit. When in doubt, deny all terms and defnitions.
 
Viol8tion,
Actually, it was I, not csaft (the original poster), who complained about a document crapping out on page 11. However, a different machine handled the same document very well, so I'm not so sure about corrupt fonts, OLEs or graphics in the document itself. My point being, if you have access to another system running PM7, even with different OSs + configuration, it is worth a try...
 
cyberboy,

True.. the File>Export>PDF is an iffy proposition... and it will work fine for years and inexplicably will not work on a particular document, all other things seeming to be equal.

I use it all of the time, with watched folders, and have rarely any problem. It is necessary to use Export if you have hyperlinks on your doc, the 2-step method loses the links and they have to be added in Adobe Acrobat.

Even the experts that have used the app for many years agree that Export is iffy... so best bet is to use the 2-step when you have a problem. When in doubt, deny all terms and defnitions.
 
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