Minus signs changing to a different symbol when saved as a PDF

[Franki...@adobeforums.com]

I use Framemaker 7 to produce operator manuals for scientific instruments. In doing so, numerous calculations are included. After completion of the manual, I save the book as a pdf (with links, etc.) to include on the CD that goes to the customer. The problem: In Framemaker, the minus sign displays as it should. However, when the book is saved as a pdf, the minus sign in all equations is transposed to a different symbol (I believe it may be an angle symbol). It even changes the minuses in the Framemaker file to the same symbol. But you can close Framemaker, then reopen it and the file and the minuses are back! How do I get around this?

[Arnis_...@adobeforums.com]

Which character (ANSI number) did you use for the minus signs and from
which font?

[Franki...@adobeforums.com]

I used the equation editor in Framemaker, selecting one of the operators containing the minus sign.

[Tim_M...@adobeforums.com]

Should I assign "symbol" to the Functions category or any other category?

No need.

I'm curious: Could you use Acrobat to identify the actual font used in the PDF?

And, if you're in Windows, you need to have the TrueType version of Symbol installed, even if you have a Type 1 as well.

[Franki...@adobeforums.com]

In the previous post, I said that I used an operator in the equation editor. Since then, I went to Framemaker, opened an equation to check the type of fonts used. "Default fonts" were used for all categories except Math (symbol) and Variables (equation variables). Should I assign "symbol" to the Functions category or any other category?

thanks for your help. I am at a total loss on what to do....

[Franki...@adobeforums.com]

I couldn't tell in the PDF what the actual font was. I did check to see if I had the TrueType version of the symbol font and I don't. Could this be the problem? and why would it affect only the minus sign? All other equation symbols displayed fine in the PDF.

[Tim_M...@adobeforums.com]

I'm not saying that having the TrueType version will definitely fix it ... I'm just saying that that there are a lot of 'symbolic'-font related problems that have been addressed by this. (But if it does fix it, I can say 'told you so!')

[Sheila_...@adobeforums.com]

Frankie, when you make the PDF do you have the Distiller Printer instance set as your default printer? And, in Distiller itself, under Settings > Font Locations, do you have your directories where both your Postscript and Truetype fonts are located, usually C:\PSFONTS and C:\Winnt\Fonts ?

To tell what the font the mystery symbol is in the PDF, (in Acro 5) use the TextSelect tool to highlight the bad symbol. With it highlighted, do Tools > Touchup Text > Text Attributes, and a little dialog should display telling you what font it is.

[Franki...@adobeforums.com]

I specified default printer as Distiller and I have the correct directories called for with the fonts. When I checked in the PDF file to see what font it is, it says it is the symbol font. Have you ever generated a file with an equation in it? and is your minus symbol okay?

Thanks for your help.

[Sheila_...@adobeforums.com]

I don't use equations, sorry. [Can anybody else chime in to do a test for Frankie?] But I'm sure we would have heard from folks before now if this was a general FM issue, so I'm really suspecting something haywire with the fonts on your system.

I wonder if one of your Symbol font file(s) (PS vs TTF) is somehow different/older than it should be, and therefore "out of sync" with the other in terms of the characters or positions, so it displays ok in FM but not in the PDF.

I'd be tempted to blow away both your existing PS and TTF Symbol fonts (and re-boot afterwards) and 1) buy a brand new PS Symbol font from Adobe -- Symbol =used= to come as part of lots of printer installations, and as a result most of use end up with a dog's breakfast collection of fonts from various sources, compounded by doing updates from previous O/Ss etc. The trouble is that fonts and character sets change over the years, so the most reliable way would be to get a brand new font, and 2) re-install the Symbol TTF from your latest Windows CD.

Sounds a bit drastic, but if you've got a client waiting for their files ...

Sheila

[Franki...@adobeforums.com]

The weird thing about it (besides changing in Adobe Acrobat) is that it changes the file from which the PDF was generated as well! The file recuperates after I close Framemaker and reopen it!!! I kind of feel that if this is common to FM that others would have complained too, but maybe not that many people use equations. At any rate, I really appreciate your input.

Have a nice day -- the weather is finally beautiful down here (Atlanta, GA).

[Sheila_...@adobeforums.com]

When you're working in FM, do you switch default printers? e.g., do you print to a physical printer and then switch to the Distiller printer instance to make the PDF?

[Franki...@adobeforums.com]

Yes, before I save the file as a PDF, I go to Print Setup and select the distiller printer.

[Sheila_...@adobeforums.com]

Ah, then it's almost certain that somehow the Distiller printer doesn't "know" about the font.

Which version of Distiller do you use?

Go to Control Panel > Printers, and highlight the Distiller instance. Right-click, then goto Properties.

In the Device Settings tab, highlight the top line, and right-click, select "About". What version of the postscript driver, and what ppd does it list?

[Franki...@adobeforums.com]

Looks like I have 5.0.5 distiller and 5.2 driver.

[Sheila_...@adobeforums.com]

So, when you're in FM and you change to the Distiller printer, where are you making the change -- in the File > Print Setup menu from FM? Or in Windows Control Panel?

If you have a page with an equation visible on screen, and you change the printer, does FM give you the "changed printer" warning dialog? Does the minus sign change at that point?

[MikeK...@adobeforums.com]

Frankie,

I make both documents and books that get converted into pdfs all of
the time. The FrameMath equations should be fine. However, obviously
something is funky. I'd first suggest that you create a plain portrait
frame file and create a simple equation convert to pdf and tell us
what happens.

Problems can occur from font problems, bad template, and preferences.
If you have a problem with a single page equation, then I'd recommend
either a re-installation of all fonts or the deletion of Frame and a
complete re-installation.

Mike

[Franki...@adobeforums.com]

Sheila,

I make the change in File >Print Setup. I do not get a changed printer dialog. The minus sign changes in the framemaker document as soon as distiller is through converting to a PDF.

[Franki...@adobeforums.com]

Mike, I did as you suggested (created a simple equation file and converted to pdf). I saved as a pdf file and, as before, it converts the minus sign to an angle in both the pdf and the original file. I used a different template this time (one supplied with framemaker as opposed to one I had created). I have a contract writer right now; she has FM installed at her home. The same thing happened with her.

At this point, should I uninstall FM and then reinstall, or do you have any other suggestions??? I have found a workaround using the "start string, end string" feature in the Symbols section of the equation editor, but I really don't won't to have to go back and redo all of the existing equations. I appreciate your help on this.

[Franki...@adobeforums.com]

Sheila,
I tried setting the default printer through the Windows function and that worked! I still can't figure out why that would make a difference -- choosing Distiller through Windows as opposed to just selecting Distiller in FM -- but as long as it works I'm okay with it!

I am sure you saw Mike's message with reference to this subject, and my response. I don't know whether he changes printer defaults or not; do you, Mike?

I really appreciate all of your help with this, Sheila. I am sure I never would have figured it out without your input.

[Sheila_...@adobeforums.com]

Fantastic, Frankie! I'm pleased that it worked -- I have absolutely no idea why, though.

The only possibility I can imagine is that somehow your printer installations, Distiller installations, and FM have gotten out of sync, and somehow FM's File > Print Setup is pointing to a "damaged/incorrect" Distiller printer instance that for whatever reason doesn't have its fonts setup properly.

Time permitting, I'd really, really be tempted to do a major overhaul by uninstalling FM, Acrobat, printers, fonts, etc., the whole nine yards, be sure to do a cold restart not just reboot, and then reinstall the works.

Sheila

[MikeK...@adobeforums.com]

Frankie,

I do not change my printer driver, but I must admit that my default
printer driver is the AdobePDF driver. Most of my output is to pdf
files that I post on the web, I rarely print paper on my Windows
machine, when I do I change the print driver and do get a message
about changing fonts.

Mike

[Franki...@adobeforums.com]

Thanks, Mike, for your input. I am just thrilled that I do not have to recreate all of my equations using the start/end string feature! Have a good weekend!