PPD options not accessible

[Gernot_Hoffmann@adobeforums.com]

In InDesign2 the name of the PPD is shown but the options are
not accessible.
I didn´t find a solution in the archive how to use the PPD.

My QMS 6100 magicolor has a very complex color management.
All parameters have to be chosen deliberately.
Furtheron I had added a set of transfer functions (a kind of
calibration). Now there is no choice.

Does it mean that ID will use the default parameters in the PPD,
besides the few which are accessible in the ID printer menue ?
Or in combination with the Windows settings ?

In PageMaker the actual PPD settings are valid.

Best regards --Gernot Hoffmann

[Larry_Grohman@adobeforums.com]

Are you saying that from the print dialog, selecting "Set Up" does not bring
up the selectable options of your printer?

It should bring up the same options you have installed (the ones you can
view by going to the printer and selecting Properties)


Larry

[Gernot_Hoffmann@adobeforums.com]

Larry,

yes. The interpretation of the PPD by PageMaker shows all
available options. I had programmed new features, like
transfer functions (which modify the CMYK output).
ID shows more or less the same as the setup in Windows
(Properties, as you say).

And what is even more annoying: in PM I can choose one of
several PPDs. But the Windows setup (which is used by ID)
links one of the PPDs without asking me which one.

I´m new in this forum. But I had searched already.
The problem doesn´t have a solution.
IMO it´s a "not really convincing concept".

Best regards --Gernot Hoffmann

[Larry_Grohman@adobeforums.com]

Well, that is basically how it is in InDesign, and probably every
application except PageMaker, and maybe Illustrator.

That is; what your PPD allows, is what you get, and you can not assign a
different PPD unless you make a new instance of the printer set up using a
different PPD. That of course can be done, as well as modifications to the
PPD using a simple text editor (presupposes you know how to write the code)

Larry

[Uwe_Rottkamp@adobeforums.com]

Gernot,

> And what is even more annoying: in PM I can choose one of
> several PPDs. But the Windows setup (which is used by ID)
> links one of the PPDs without asking me which one.

I second you that the possibility to choose between PPDs in the
printer-dialogue was a a very useful feature of PM.

Workaround: Using the Adobe-PS-Driver-setup ("winstger.exe" as german
edition, available at adobe.com) you can install as much PS-printers as you
like choosing PPDs of your choice during the installation-process
(recommended), or install other PS-printers via Windows-printer-setup and
afterwards replace the installed PPD in the fitting printer-folder
(\win\system32\spool...)

Uwe

[Gernot_Hoffmann@adobeforums.com]

Uwe,

thanks, I´m going to check your suggestions.

Larry,

the options in the PPD are missing. I had written the code
e.g. like this:

1. Use transfer functions according to mathematical functions.

2. Use transfer functions according to tables in the PPD
(with interpolation by PostScript code).

None of them is accessible.

A PPD defines explicitly choices of options.

If this shouldn´t be possible in ID then it´s a bug.

It´s not the first bug (other thread about 32-bit BMPs).
MagicStretch is also not available in ID (very important
for pixel-synchronized PDFs).

I think I have to live with with PageMaker despite the
propaganda. For me it works perfectly. Nothing missing.

Best regards --Gernot Hoffmann

[Larry_Grohman@adobeforums.com]

Basically, I said the same thing as Uwe. Set up different instances of the
printer with different PPDs assigned.

But I guess I just don't understand your workflow. We output to 9 different
Postsript devices; CtP Rip, CtP Proofer, CLC Rips, Digital B/W production
printers, Large format printers, simple B/W lasers etc, and never have I
needed to assign a PPD that was not the one installed. I've hacked a few to
suite my needs. That's on both PC and Mac workstations.

Now I'm not saying that InDesign is perfect. As a matter there are some
things that bug the hell out of me. Like certain combinations of CM/Print
settings map 100%K to CMYK. But, I don't think I could ever go back to
PageMaker.

Regards
Larry

[Bob_Levine]

Just hit the setup button and ignore the warning. Pick the setup options
for the printer and you're good to go.

Bob

[Gernot_Hoffmann@adobeforums.com]

Thanks for all replies.

Now let´s talk about the internal structure of a PPD.
There are always blocks for choices, like source RGB space is
1. Printer Default
2. sRGB
3. Apple RGB
4. Prepress

Or for transfer functions (options and code inserted by me):
1. Use mathematical functions
2. Use tables

In the PM environment all choices are shown as they were pro-
grammed.
In ID the PPD is only partly interpreted.

An example for such a PPD is here (small textfile):
<http://www.fho-emden.de/~hoffmann/qms6100trc.ppd>

Best regards --Gernot Hoffmann

[Uwe_Rottkamp@adobeforums.com]

Gernot,

> I think I have to live with with PageMaker despite the
> propaganda. For me it works perfectly. Nothing missing.

though I now use ID for most new jobs because of the comfortable
prepress-workflows, I second you that PM is underistimated wrongly by many
prepress-people, speaking of PM as "xpress for the poor". I remember PM as a
very stable, reliable prepress-software even in newspaper-workflows while
workling on networks over many years. There is only one point to realize:
Never configure grafics to be imported into the document (unfortunately set
as standard while installation), but set grafics to be linked. Following
this advice prevents from broken files which are reported often. In most
cases I was asked for help opening corrupted files, grafics were not linked
but imported.

ID of course with its features is great in creating brochures, adds and even
modern magazines etc., but for some newspaper-projects I still use PM
because of its fast "contact" to texts and pix and - oft course - because of
its pasteboard which is completely different from ID and xPress.

So you're not alone loving that ol' PM 8-))

Uwe

[Gernot_Hoffmann@adobeforums.com]

Uwe,

following your advice I had searched the PPD, found in
Win98/System, replaced by an actual version and renamed
by the previous name in the folder.
ID still ignores all the options in PDD.

I think I´ll leave it that. Thanks.

Best regards --Gernot Hoffmann

[Bob_Levine]

Gernot,

You're making the mistake of thinking of ID as Pagemaker. It's not. Just
hit the setup button in the print menu. You'll get a warning about
setting things up using ID. Ignore it.

The print setup will give you all the options previously available
through PM's PPD features menu.

Bob

[Gernot_Hoffmann@adobeforums.com]

Bob,

I had modified the PPD but the ID print menue
AND the printer setup show only standard features,
not the new options.
There is no warning, because nothing is wrong.

PM interprets the PPD and builds a menue according
to all program blocks.
ID and Windows interpret only a standard subset of
the PPD.

I admit that the highly confusing QMS6100 software
might be responsible as well.

You may think that I want to find bugs in ID.
That´s not the case.
1. The wrong BMP-32 interpretation problem could be
solved by batch conversion of images in a project
folder (like SFSP destination) to BMP-24.
2. I´m really missing MagicStretch.
3. The printer problems will hopefully be solved by
purchasing a new printer (but it´s my private A3-
color laser - no business).

Best regards --Gernot Hoffmann

[Gernot_Hoffmann@adobeforums.com]

Shudder !

No build booklet in ID ?

<http://www.pdsassoc.com/index.php?Nav=tipssub&Ban=ThingsYouMightMiss&Info= tips1/ThingsYouMightMiss/index.html>

G.H.

[Bob_Levine]

Gernot,

If you're going to post this stuff at least look around first. There are
plenty of ways to build a booklet in ID and most of them are far
surperior to PM's very clunky and flakey build booklet plugin.

Bob

[Uwe_Rottkamp@adobeforums.com]

> No build booklet in ID ?

Comes with the PM-edition or the CS-suite and is available as
"Two-up"-script (or als full-featured pay-plugin at alap.com)

The site you pointed out didn't have a look upon ID-CS, I guess. But though
seconding some of the described missing features, my favourite is the kind
of pastboard which differs completely from that in PM (PM-users know what I
mean). I "hated" xpress over all the years because of its similar
"pasteboard by page" and now with ID I have to deal with it again. It's a
pity, but I'm afraid that this train has gone...

Uwe

[Ken_Grace@adobeforums.com]

I agree that the 'pasteboard by page' is irritating. But what is worse it
can be dangerous. Try putting something on the pasteboard and then shuffling
the pages around in the pages palette. Then try to find what you put on the
pasteboard.

k

[Bob_Levine]

I actually prefer this PM's pasteboard. I use the pasteboard to store
graphics that will only be used on certain pages and don't want the
entire pasteboard cluttered with stuff I don't need.

Different strokes...

Bob

[Ken_Grace@adobeforums.com]

As you say Bob, different strokes...

But at least with the PM pasteboard the stuff stayed where you put it
regardless of what you did with the pages. I mentioned pasteboard items
disappearing when the pages are shuffled. I've never really known whether
they actually get deleted, or just end up somewhere obscure. But removing
pages obviously does delete stuff on the pasteboard, and long time PageMaker
users switching to InDesign could be in for a rude awakening.

k

[Bob_Levine]

Yeah, but I always hated PM's pasteboard. Especially with facing pages,
I'd drag something to left side of the page and when I went to another
page it would be gone...hidden under the left hand page. :(

Bob