post script drivers and ppds 2

[Tobyboy1]

Hi there,
I would love some explanation regarding post script drivers and ppds.
I have several customers who submit pages which I collect and develop into one 120 page pdf document for greyscale (black and white) reproduction on newsprint.
Most of my customers are running PageMaker and export their files to pdf from there.
I am having troubles with some of their files and the following is a note I have received from my printer:
Ensure the client is not using PDF writer PPD to produce the pdf files......
How do I do this and ensure my clients are using the correct driver?
Thanks in advance,
Nancy

 

[BionicJohn]

Hi, Tobyboy1,

> Ensure the client is not using PDF writer PPD to produce the PDF files......

There's confusion here. That should say: "Ensure the client is not using PDF writer to produce the PDF files......" - which is absolutely correct.
PDFWriter is now dead, and not supplied with Acrobat 6.

They should be using the PostScript Printer Driver and PPD for the final output printer.

More details in the AdobeForums PM Win section -

http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?14@@.ef88e2e/0

Guest access is read only: you'll need to register to get full access.

Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[Tobyboy1]

Thankyou for your prompt reply.
My clients are exporting to pdf from PageMaker a ps file to distill later as they are unable (for some reason) to distill immediately.
Under the print menu when exporting to pdf the option for distiller is there. They click on this and generate a ps file. The distiller settings are correct as per our printer.
Should they download the most current driver and ppd for their current printer?
Nancy

 

[BionicJohn]

Hi, Tobyboy1,

> Under the print menu when exporting to pdf the option for distiller is there.

That's confusing me. "Export AdobePDF…" is on the drop down File menu.

In the Print dialogue, the printer should either be the exact printer (e.g. HP LaserJet 4M on FILE or something like "Generic Postscript Printer on FILE:" with the exact PPD for the final output printer.

After clicking "Print", PM will ask for the filename of the outputted PS file.

> Should they download the most current driver and ppd for their current printer?

Yes. In general, the latest driver and PPD should be the best.

To find the latest driver and PPD for printer, see this page in the AdobeForum PM Win FAQs:
Looking for a printer driver or PPD? Mac or Win?

http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?14@@.1de89b24/0

(Guest access is read only: you'll need to register to get full access.)

Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[Tobyboy1]

Thank you very much for your prompt reply.
Under the file tab they choose export Adobe pdf as you discussed.
However if they simply click File Print, the option for distiller is there, as well as many other printers they have in their offices.
Where is the file located where they should place their new ppd?
Nancy

 

[BionicJohn]

Hi, Tobyboy1,

The PPD for your PostScript device needs to be copied to the [pmdir]\RSRC\[language]\PPD4 folder so PageMaker can find it.

The usual default PPD folder for PM7 is:
C:\Program Files\Adobe\PageMaker 7.0\RSRC\UKENGLSH\PPD4 (UK/CDN/AUS/NZ) or
C:\Program Files\Adobe\PageMaker 7.0\RSRC\USENGLSH\PPD4 (USA)

Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[BeckyBoo34]

I need some help. I work at a newspaper and they have been trying to email pages for awhile. I keep getting a post script error, one that I see several people get. I have been on the phone with lots of folks who should know and have one annoying(but I love him) co worker who thinks he knows but doesn't, what needs to be done. I know it has to be a simple solution... The error is the Times New Roman ,etc... one... And the thing is on the ATM, my Times New Roman is not listed at all. It will do the Flushing, but no PDF is created. SO WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? I want to start emailing pages ASAP. Got some pressure on me to do that. If anyone knows what to do, please let me know.

 

[BionicJohn]

Hi, BeckyBoo34,

Which platform, versions of PM and Distiller and which PPD are you using?

These pages should help:

Check out these pages in the Adobe PageMaker Support Knowledgebase at:
"Helvetica or Times Roman Error When You Try to Convert PostScript File from PageMaker to PDF"

http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/2f392.htm

and
Error "When you create a PostScript file...turn OFF the option 'Do not send fonts to Distiller'..." When Exporting to PDF from PageMaker 7.x

http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/2f35e.htm

Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[kg1066]

Hello Tobyboy1,

Question about Pagemaker Postscript printing to file OR Exporting to PDF?

I have a co-worker who is suddenly not able to export Pagemaker 7.0 documents to PDF via printing or exporting to Acrobat. He gets just passed the screen that asks to save the file and as it is supposed to be converting an error appears "Saving the PostScript output failed."

We have tried several solutions including unistalling Pagemaker 7.0, changing the default postscript printer, unistalling Acrobat Pro, checking the distiller setting, etc... but nothing seems to work.

Let us know if you have any insight?

Thanks!
Kg1066

 

[BionicJohn]

Hi, kg1066,

I'm assuming your platform is Windows.

> > Acrobat Pro,

That's Acrobat 6 Pro, right? So make sure you are using PM7.0.1a. There is free update downloadable from:

http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=2426

> > error "Saving the PostScript output failed"

See this page in the PM Support KnowledgeBase:
An error such as "...PostScript output failed" occurs when you export to PDF (PageMaker 7.x on Windows)

Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.