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Postscript output failed problems?

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Robert Richard

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Dec 26, 2002, 10:32:45 AM12/26/02
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Hello,

I have tried to resolve the above by reading and searching Adobe FAQ's and Forum.

The error message says «Saving the postscript output failed», then «Could not print to the postscript file».

I am using Win XP Pro, with PageMaker 7.0.1.

I really don't know what else to do.

Robert Richard.
Eastern Canada.

Robert Richard

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Dec 26, 2002, 10:34:28 AM12/26/02
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To add to the previous.

The previous information relates to to using the Print option or Export to pdf. Sometimes, PageMaker is not responding.

Robert.

Donald Gruener

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Dec 26, 2002, 10:56:48 AM12/26/02
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Robert, what printer driver are you using?

What kinds of graphics are in the document and how did you put them there (copy/paste? Insert Object? File>Place?)

Bob Levine

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Dec 26, 2002, 11:25:46 AM12/26/02
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> Normally, I would insert an object, like choosing Adobe Photoshop 6.0. I never use place option.

Then you never use the CORRECT option. Start using place and NEVER use
insert object.

Bob

Robert Richard

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Dec 26, 2002, 11:19:07 AM12/26/02
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I have this information:

Adobe PostScript software version: 3011.104

Robert Richard.

Robert Richard

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Dec 26, 2002, 11:17:52 AM12/26/02
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Printer driver?

Where would I find this information?

What kind of graphics?

Normally, I would insert an object, like choosing Adobe Photoshop 6.0. I never use place option.It is possible that I could had chosen copy/paste.

Robert Richard.

Donald Gruener

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Dec 26, 2002, 11:31:04 AM12/26/02
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>I would insert an object

>copy/paste


This could well be what's causing the PostScript failure. Those are not reliable ways to import graphics.

The recommendations in this FAQ should largely prevent postscript errors:

PageMaker FAQ > 3. Imported Graphics Issues > 3.1 - General Graphics Handling Recommendations <http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?5...@63.4asnaLy3DrH^101263@.ef85028/0>

For your existing documents, you should delete all those graphics, do a Save As... (not just a Save), then use File>Place to bring them in as an appropriate graphic format as explained in the FAQ (you may need to open the graphics in the appropriate editing software and resave them in the right format).

>Printer driver? Where would I find this information?


The printer driver is simply the printer you choose when going to File>Print. When you Export to PDF, PageMaker is essentially doing this as well - it "prints" a printer file which is then interpreted by Distiller, a separate program that reads the postscript data and generates the PDF. Export might end up working for you again once you follow a proper workflow, although many people have problems with Export in general, and I recommend a more hands-on approach to creating PDFs, as explained in this FAQ:

PageMaker FAQ > 1. PDF Issues > 1.1 - General procedure for PDF creation <http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?5...@63.4asnaLy3DrH^100361@.ef851b3/0>

You might want to read through some of the other entries in the PageMaker FAQ (which you can find at the top of the PageMaker Forum topic list) as well then let me know if I can clarify anything further.

Good luck,

Donald

Robert Richard

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Dec 26, 2002, 12:06:44 PM12/26/02
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Ok, I will check all of the above.

Elsewhere, I did a test on a new PageMaker document with just a few text type in. When I tried to export to pdf, I get the same problem as described above.

Robert Richard.

Donald Gruener

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Dec 26, 2002, 12:16:50 PM12/26/02
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I suspect PM is trying to use a driver that is not up to the task. My advice stands about not using Export. The print & distill method described in the FAQ allows total control over driver/ppd selection and all the settings along the way. I've had good luck printing the .ps file using Adobe's latest postscript driver, which is available for download on the Adobe website.

Robert Richard

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Dec 26, 2002, 2:53:24 PM12/26/02
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Robert Richard

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Dec 26, 2002, 3:00:29 PM12/26/02
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Thanks for last message.

I have downloaded, so I think, the Adobe postscript driver found at:

<http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=44&platform=Windows>

7.4MB Adobe Universal PostScript Windows Driver Installer 1.0.6 - English 5/23/2002

Is this what I need?

Robert.

Donald Gruener

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Dec 26, 2002, 4:23:09 PM12/26/02
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Yup.

Once installed it will show up as something like "Generic PostScript Printer."

Choose that as your printer, choose Distiller as the PPD, then "print" the .ps file, then launch Distiller and open the .ps file with it. It will process it to PDF.

If you don't go back and fix those graphics however all bets are off...

Robert Richard

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Dec 26, 2002, 7:59:10 PM12/26/02
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Ok,

I have removed all photoshop images from my PageMaker publication document, and file saved as. I have re-open all images in PhotoShop 6.0, and resized as needed, then placed in PageMaker as .tiff, as suggested. As before, I had jpeg and gifs, that were resized / rescaled in PM.

«Save Photoshop graphics as TIF (the exception is duotones - save as EPS)»

How do I know if my images are duotones?

«Photoshop's preferences should be set to NOT embed profiles in grayscale images - they can cause problems in PageMaker»

I have checked for the above. Can't find the location.

«PageMaker supports transparency in vector EPS or TIFs with clipping paths ONLY.»

How can I verify this information.

«Set both Type 1 and TrueType fonts to download.»

Is Type 1, postscript?

«properly managed fonts»

What is considered properly managed fonts?

I only have Times New Roman.

I know how to print to file to get the .ps type file, then use distiller to open said new file, so to create the pdf.

It is my first experience in creating pdf file with PageMaker 7.0.1.

I have done all suggestion as indicated in all of your replies.

I have tested print to file, but the printing job stays in the printer queue, with no reaction. These steps have brought me close to my goals, but I have not been able to create a .ps type file.

Thanks for your patience.

Robert Richard
Eastern Canada.

Donald Gruener

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Dec 26, 2002, 8:23:55 PM12/26/02
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>How do I know if my images are duotones?


If you didn't consciously make a duotone (which is a grayscale image reproduced with black plus a spot ink) then yours are not.

>NOT embed profiles in grayscale images ... Can't find the location.


It's in the color setup for Photoshop (File>Color Settings>Grayscale).

>PageMaker supports transparency in vector EPS or TIFs with clipping paths

ONLY ... How can I verify this information.


Hmmm...not sure what you mean. There's nothing to verify, it's just a statement. If you need transparency in your graphics (in other words, the ability to "see" through to objects behind the graphic) the only ways this can be achieved is by using vector EPS graphics (created by draw programs like Illustrator or CorelDraw) or to create a clipping path in Photoshop. If you have not created a clipping path then you don't have one. If you don't need to be able to see through the graphics then this doesn't matter for you. It's just to say, a "transparent GIF" like you might use on a website will NOT be transparent in PageMaker.

>Is Type 1, postscript?


Yes. This is just a setting in the print dialog. It doesn't matter if you've used TrueType or Type 1, or both. This just makes sure PageMaker sends ALL font information to the printer (or to the .ps file).

>What is considered properly managed fonts?


Okay, that's an admittedly vague phrase. 8^) I just mean that you should be using quality fonts (no internet freebies), they should be properly installed (not simply copied to the Windows font folder) and if you're using bold, italic, or bold italic of a given typeface (like TimesNewRoman) you better have all four of those fonts installed (for more details on that specification in particular, see FAQ 5.10 <http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?50@@.ef9e14b/0>)

>I have not been able to create a .ps type file.


Are you going to File>Print, selecting that "Generic PostScript Printer" then clicking on the "OPTIONS" button, and checking the "Write PostScript to file" ? The "print" button in the upper right should then change to a "SAVE" button. It's a good idea to hit "browse" and specify where you want the file to be saved, so you know where to go looking for it with Distiller.

If you're doing all that, but still can't generate PostScript, there could still be something wrong with your file...

Robert Richard

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Dec 26, 2002, 8:14:13 PM12/26/02
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Just a few minutes ago, I have read several topics of the PageMaker forum FAQ's.

Thanks for providing this link.

Robert.

Robert Richard

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Dec 26, 2002, 9:41:47 PM12/26/02
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Thanks for your last email reply.

«It's in the color setup for Photoshop (File>Color Settings>Grayscale)»

Ok, I have found this location. It is set to Not Embeded.

«just makes sure PageMaker sends ALL font information to the printer (or to the .ps file).»

This option has been checked. I can't find it anymore...:)

«Compose to Printer under Document Setup»?

?Display on None is selected. Is this correct?

In the Printing Preferences of Distiller, I have unchecked the «Do not send fonts to distiller» as requested. Is this correct?

When doing the Print to get to save the newly created .ps file, I have an error message that says «An error has occured while printing. General printing failure. 8315:5218. My file naming has no commas. This is the file name:
Teagues11forum . The "Generic PostScript Printer" is choosen in the option. I will try to change the .tiff files to .eps.

What else can I do?

Robert Richard
Eastern Canada.
Robert Richard.

Robert Richard

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Dec 26, 2002, 10:08:56 PM12/26/02
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Guest what? I have changed my fonts to Courier, from previous Times New Roman. I have distilled my first .ps file, then distilled with Acrobat Distiller. The newly created pdf document containes everyting, except for some new editing of the text (reason: new fonts). It was a just a test document.

I think I have resolved my problem. Better to stick to Base 14 fonts. I don't work on a daily basis with Acrobat and PageMaker, the reason for not having that many experience with the fonts.

Robert Richard.

Robert Richard

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Dec 27, 2002, 8:21:58 AM12/27/02
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Thanks for support and patience.

I now have better workflow knowledge and general PageMaker to Acrobat information.

Appreciated.

Robert Richard
Eastern Canada.

Donald Gruener

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Dec 27, 2002, 11:42:59 AM12/27/02
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Richard,

>?Display on None is selected. Is this correct?


NO. This should be set to a high-res postscript device, or to Distiller.

>I will try to change the .tiff files to .eps


No need to do this. Both TIF and EPS are perfectly viable formats in a PostScript workflow.

If changing the font led to success then that must have been the problem (perhaps your TNR is corrupt?). You shouldn't however need to stick to Base14 fonts, most of us have no choice but to use a wide assortment of fonts. Virtually everything I do is sent to print providers as PDF.

Glad you've got it under better control though, and come on back if you need further assistance with anything...

Donald

Robert Richard

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Dec 29, 2002, 8:16:22 PM12/29/02
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Hello again,

This is the only part I can't relocate within PageMaker 7.0. Can you help me?

?Display on None is selected. Is this correct?


NO. This should be set to a high-res postscript device, or to Distiller.

I did find it previously.

Robert Richard.

Mel S

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Dec 29, 2002, 9:47:57 PM12/29/02
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It is set in File>Document Setup. Down the bottom of the dialogue box ...

Melody

Robert Richard

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Dec 30, 2002, 9:07:34 AM12/30/02
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Thanks for reply.

I can't find it at that location. I don't see the information sought at File Document Setup.

Robert Richard
Eastern Canada.

John Davies

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Dec 30, 2002, 9:25:15 AM12/30/02
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Hi, Robert,

> I can't find it at that location.


Huh?

Click "File" then "document setup"

This is what you will see.

Select the appropriate printer from the "Compose to printer" drop down list.

Iechyd da! John
14:25 30/12/02 GMT

Douglas Westfall

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Jan 14, 2003, 7:06:55 PM1/14/03
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Robert: I have the same problem; it started right after the new year.
I'm running Page 6 with Distiller 4 on an XP system and it's been running fine.
Now this problem started and I can't get Page to create the PS file. I get the same error:

Saving the postscript output failed

Have you had any luck in fixing this problem?
Doug Westfall
Orange, California

John Davies

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Jan 14, 2003, 8:25:27 PM1/14/03
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See if this helps: "Saving the PostScript output failed" <http://pagemakersupport.adobe.com/adobeknowbase/root/public/pm2292.htm>

> I'm running Page 6 with Distiller 4 on an XP system


You really ought to have PM7/Distiller5.05 with WinXP. Donald Gruener "7.1 - PageMaker 6.5 on Windows 2000, XP, ME" 1/25/02 7:52am </cgi-bin/webx?50@@.ef65200/0>

Iechyd da! John
01:25 15/01/03 GMT

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