Can't find Distiller.

[Volker_Beckmann@adobeforums.com]

Topic

Can't find Distiller!

Volker Beckmann - 08:43pm May 7, 2005 Pacific

I am trying to convert a Quark Xpress 4.11 document into a PDF document. Done that for years with no problems, but...

Normally I print the QX document to FILE. It then creates a ".ps" document which I then use Distiller to create the PDF.

In the Print/Setup dialog box it should show options such as...
Printer Description:Distiller, or Generic BW/Color, or Laserwriter 8.
If I recall, once I choose Distiller it would allow me to adjust the page size (23"x 22").

Today there is no Distiller option. So I cannot create a pdf file.
Where did it go or how to get it back?

I went into the Chooser, selected Laserwriter 8 and did a Auto Setup. That didn't work. What else? I need this for a customer proof ASAP!
I think it has something to do with PPD(?), but where to find which ones and where to place the one is the unknown. Can you help? KIS.

Still using OS9.1 with Acrobat Distiller 3.

[Tim_Murray@adobeforums.com]

Hate to say this but it sounds like a Quark-specific issue. You can try creating a new printer instance using the Apple Desktop Printer Utility. Select AdobePS and Translator, and use the Distiller's PPD file.

By the way, you really should move up from Acrobat 3.

[Steve_Werner@adobeforums.com]

It does sound like an XPress problem. You might try the Quark forums, now that they're up again.

[Volker_Beckmann@adobeforums.com]

Tim,
Can you be more specific, please?
Where and how to select the AdobePS file? In the chooser?

Then AUTO SETUP or SELECT PPD? Which one? I found 3 Acrobat Distiller PPD documents in different locations.

About moving up... once I get out of this crisis I have a few issues to deal with to move up to my new dual G4 with OSX.It's been a real struggle to understand how to transfer everything from OS9 on one Mac to OSX on another!!!

[Tim_Murray@adobeforums.com]

> Where and how to select the AdobePS file? In the chooser?

No, in the Apple Desktop Printer Utility. Launch it and see if it lets you select the AdobePS driver. If you don't have it, you can download it from Adobe.

After you pick the Translator, you can locate your PPD. You should use whichever matches your latest Distiller application.

Later, when you print, you use Chooser to select the AdobePS. The physical printer does not matter, because you use the Print dialog to select the printer (AdobePDF, for instance) you created earlier.

[Volker_Beckmann@adobeforums.com]

Out of town for a week. Just getting back to solving this problem.
Had to open my Quark4 files in InDesign and create a PDF from there. Just a temporary fix.

Back to the issue at hand...
I'm trying to get my head around where the problem is coming from.
I've used Acrobat 3 for years with Quark 4. There has never been a problem creating PDFs. It works fine.

Example - I create a large (22x16") annual advertising document with many fonts, eps logos, etc. that I send out as PDFs to customers for review. Somehow in the Print Dialog/Set-up/Printer Description Box - the Acrobat Distiller 3 option disappeared.

This option allowed me to change the page size. Now... when I - Print to File and Distill the document, all I get is a 8 1/2" x 11" page size which doesn't show the complete document.

By the way, I resaved this document as Quark 3 file. Still have that version loaded. When I go to Print Dialog/Setup/Print Description - Distiller shows up with option to select page size! This is what I need for Quark 4 Print Dialog box. HOW EXACTLY DO I GET THAT BACK?

I can send a screen shot to better explain, if need be.
Thanks.

[Tim_Murray@adobeforums.com]

It's been many years since I used Quark 3 -- or Quark at all for that matter -- but as I recall the list you see from within the Print dialog is created manually by the user, so I would guess that it's the same in version 4. So, in other words, I think it's a Quark-specific question.

You could try a Quark forum, or if you want to stick it out here, create a new thread with Quark in the subject line, such as "How to add Distiller and custom page size to Quark 4.11 in OS9?". You'll get more Quark users to see it. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

[james_corbran@adobeforums.com]

In your Distiller folder you should have a folder named Xtras, and in there would normally reside the Acrobat Distiller printer icon, it looks like a blank, generic icon, (if you haven't moved the original to your printer description folder in your system folder). If it's there, make a copy of it and put the copy in System Folder>Extensions>Printer Descriptions and relaunch Quark. It should show up in the printer pull-down list.

If it's not there do a search for it on your hard drive.

Jim