PDF/X or PDF for print from Apple Quartz

You didn't mention which version of acrobat you are using... I know that acrobat pro v7 is unstable in Leopard --We had to upgrade to v8.

We use the old fashioned method, distilling files for commercial printing using pro. Do you have specific, application-related questions?

Rich

Hi richielj,

Fuuny, your profile is set to 'not available' humm...

Okay, like, well, the reason I did not mention what version of Acrobat was because I am asking about making a PDF directly from Apples Quartz.

My question is if anyone is making PDF/X directly from Apple (Tiger or Leopard) without using Adobe anything, what settings are they using.

I know this is an 'Acrobat' forum, but i figured that SOMEONE is using this approach - I would not bother anyone but all I have is some tired old Mac with Panther (version OSX 10.3) and am hoping things have improved.

I 'hear' that one can only make PDF/X-3 files - but have not seen such a beast.

I am working on a project that may require accepting and printing such PDF files that are made without the benifit of any Adobe technology - pure PDF from Quartz.

http://developer.apple.com/documentation/GraphicsImaging/Conceptual/drawingwithquartz2d/Art/postscript_to_pdf.gif

Thanks for trying to help !

Hi Michael

I just joined this forum. I am an imaging editor who also does prepress. I have designed automation workflows for creating PDFx/1a files for commercial printers. While I have read elsewhere about creating pdf files directly from Mac OSX 10.5.x I have never done it myself, as our requirements are quite specific and we have a rock solid workflow. My experience is with press optimized PDFx/1a files from distiller.

Here's what I get when I search apple help for "quartz":


Setting up workflows for creating PDF files
From the Print dialog, you can create a PDF file and then immediately process that file with a PDF workflow. A PDF workflow is any AppleScript script, Automator action, or application that can open a PDF file.

To use a PDF workflow you have set up, open a document and choose File > Print. Then choose your workflow from the PDF pop-up menu. Your document is converted to a PDF file, and then the PDF file is immediately opened by your workflow.For example, you can create a script that applies a Quartz filter to a PDF file, or you can specify that the PDF file be opened by Adobe Acrobat immediately after it's created.

Open a document to print, and choose File > Print.
Choose Edit Menu from the PDF pop-up menu.
Click the Add (+) button and select the workflow.
For example, if you want to open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat, select Adobe Acrobat. If you've created a script that applies a Quartz filter to the document, choose that script.

Hi richielj,

Well, welcome to the forum ! I think it is safe to say I understand how to make PDF file in a prepress environment. Search Google for "PDF Evangelist"

;o)

Okay, so I am thrilled to hear that you feel that making PDF files using Adobe is the best method - no one will disagree here, certainly not me !

I am a President of the Simi Valley, CA chapter of the GWG !

http://www.gwg.org/

I don't care about setting up the Mac to access Acrobat (which you seem keep bringing up) - really, I am sure that has not changed since Panther (10.3) - I want to know what Apple ships tool wise for PDF/X export WITHOUT Adobe - assume there is no Adobe anything on a brand new Mac and I want to make a PDF file that way - I am not here to debate good bad or ugly.

What I am looking for is someone who has something like this;

http://direct2time.timeinc.com/bodyframe.jsp?titleKey=30&subcat=2but including a Mac OSX PDF making procedure

you know, sceen captures, procedures and such and is using PDF files in a high quality prepress production environment - but using Apple only Quartz generated PDF files - what are the issues. I may have to get off my but and drive over to the Apple Store with a thumbdrive !

If you have a Mac, and have a little time maybe you can make one and email it to me at jahn [at] magicomm [dot] biz

Hi Michael

From a quick look it appears that (in leopard and tiger) that you create the pdf via the print dialog box (lower left corner).

The criteria are controlled via the colorsync utility ->filters. Looks like you duplicate the "create generic PDF-3 document" filter and then the output conditions are editable. The file I produced doesn't pass PDF-3 verification in acrobat pro...Good luck with your project!

Rich

Hi Rich,

Thanks for trying. If the file is not to big, could you email me that PDF file that failed ?

Sorry, I deleted it last week...